Olivia Holdt believes competition will be key to Tottenham's success in the Women's Super League after she scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 demolition of Crystal Palace.

Sunday's clash at Selhurst Park was goalless at half-time, despite Palace having Fuka Tsunoda sent off for her reckless challenge on Cathinka Tandberg just seven minutes in.

But the contest was flipped on its head in the second half as Holdt scored three, along with two goals for Victoria Pelova and finishes from Shekiera Martinez and Amanda Nilden.

A crushing performance saw Spurs accumulate a massive 4.69 expected goals (xG) as they moved up to second, two points behind WSL leaders Manchester City.

Holdt knows Tottenham's squad will be key if they are to mount a title charge, after she marked her first start with a treble.

"Competition is healthy and it'll only make the team better and compete every week," Holdt said on Sky Sports.

"I think today Vic [Victoria Pelova] got her first start as well scoring two goals so I think the competition is really healthy and will help us get a really good season."

Palace headed into this clash as the only WSL side yet to concede this season, but a second-half hammering saw that run abruptly ended.

By the full-time whistle, they had faced a mammoth 42 shots, with 13 of those on target in a one-sided drubbing.

"I was thinking when they got the red card, this could actually be tougher for us," Holdt added.

"Because then they could go down in a really low block and just defend. But as the game kept going and we created more and more chances.

"We came in at half-time and got together and talked [about] our plan... when the first goal came, then it was nice."

Holdt's three goals all came in different ways, showing a fine potential in attack.

Her first came from a close-range tap-in, with the second seeing her find the roof of the net from inside the area before capping a brilliant showing with a great finish from outside the box.

"I'm very happy, very pleased. As you said it was my first start this season so I'm just happy to come in, score three goals and help the team to get the win," she concluded.