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Sunday, February 8, 2026

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Brazil treble lifts Saints

Southampton 3 Crystal Palace 1

Southampton recorded a fine 3-1 Barclays WSL2 win over in-form Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium.

Ellie Brazil was the star of the show with a brilliantly crafted hat-trick but there were many other fine performances to halt the visitors who were on a run of five league wins in a row.

 

Saints keeper Fran Stenson made the first of several fine saves to claw away a close range Elise Hughes header before Brazil opened the scoring on 17 minutes, guiding in a Michaela McAlonie cross from six yards. McAlonie nearly added an immediate second but then assisted Brazil a second time on 23 minutes as the hosts had an inspired spell. This time, however, it was the quick feet of the scorer which defeated Shae Yanez as the keeper tried to block.

 

Palace had plenty of the ball but had not looked likely to score until added time before the break when Ashleigh Weerden, out on the left touchline, drove in a powerful cross which flew beyond Stenson and into the far corner.

 

Palace dominated territory after the break but Saints defended superbly with Amy Goddard playing a captain's role and Stenson making three vital saves. Annabelle Blanchard hit the post with another effort for the visitors but Southampton were always dangerous on the counter in a thrilling second half.

 

Yanez denied Brazil with a fine save on 83 minutes but, as the clock passed 90 minutes, a sweeping counter saw the striker arrive at the far post to secure her treble and a win for the hosts.

 

Both teams contributed fully to a match which lit up a damp grey start to February and kept Saints on the fringes of the promotion race whilst Palace will look to start another fine winning run after this setback

Southampton: Fran Stenson, Megan Collett, Amy Goddard, Atlanta Primus, Tara Bourne, Jess Simpson, Chloe Peplow, Mary Bashford, Aimee Palmer, Ellie Brazil, Michaela McAlonie. Subs: Tegan McGowan, Milly Mott, Esta Roberts, Maria Edwards, Isabel Watts, Ellie Hack, Ella Pettit, Rachel Brown, Ruby-Rae Tucker.

Crystal Palace: Shae Yanez, Chloe Arthur, My Cato, Aimee Everett, Molly-Mae Sharpe, Elise Hughes, Ashleigh Weerden, Hayley Nolan, Hayley Ladd, Annabel Blanchard, Abbie Larkin. Subs: Indiah-Paige Riley, Kirsty Howat, Lola Brown, Eve Annets, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Kelly Brady, Lucy Newell.