Everton had won the previous three matches against Palace by the same 2-1 scoreline. Earlier this season, Grealish’s late goal ended a 28 match unbeaten streak and last season at Selhurst Park which I watched as Charly Alcaraz sealed the points.
Palace had little to play for other than keeping everyone fit for their Conference League final in May but Everton still had Europe in their sights. Entering the match on 48 points in 10th place, a win would build some momentum that had been recently lost.
Team News
After the chaos of the Manchester City match, David Moyes chose to stick with the same starting lineup. In the pre-match, he said that Beto has been ‘consistent recently’, so two goal scorer Barry was available for another barnstormer off the bench.
Match Report
A dreary looking day with Thomas Tuchel in attendance as the match kicked off. Iroegbunam was quickly on the ball and a long ball to Beto set them on their way. Some neat and tidy passing between Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall was setting the tone for the early play.
Rohl was then the provider for Beto but it was behind the striker. Two quick corners were delivered by KDH with the second one being flicked on by Keane to Tarkowski who used his right foot to pass it into the near corner. A great start for the boys in the wax yellow shirts. A rousing “Spirit of the Blues” cascaded down from the away corner.
Palace were looking for an immediate response and a long cross into the box was headed out for a Palace corner by Keane. The corner was sent in and Richards headed the ball down but it was blocked by Tarkowski. A late tackle by Garner saw him get a talking to from the ref. Directly from the free kick, Ndiaye nicked the ball and started a breakaway but the return pass from KDH was too heavy and a good chance went begging.
Ndiaye was again defending well and he quickly counter attacked with Garner but the pass was just too heavy into the box with Rohl being the closest. Palace forced a brilliant save from Pickford and the Everton counter attack needed a great save by Henderson to deny KDH.
The game settled down and when KDH created some space, he laid off the ball for Iroegbunam who showed why he has not scored a senior goal in his career when his shot almost hit the corner flag. James Garner was given a yellow card for a tackle on Brennan Johnson. Iroegbunam then made a lovely tackle to set KDH on his way but only Beto was available.
The lead lasted for 25 minutes as Palace broke forward and when Keane could not clear the ball, Ismaila Saar drilled a low shot into the near corner with Pickford having no chance. The Palace fans came to life with their drummer taking centre stage.
The game was getting frantic again as Garner appeared to push Strand Larsen in the box but it was checked by VAR and the game continued. Two quick Everton corner saw Henderson tip a ball away and on the second, Ndiaye’s header was cleared off the line by Sarr. A VAR check held up play but the third corner saw Palace break quickly and Mykolenko get a yellow for pulling down Kamada. One minute of additional time came and went so the teams went into the break level at one.
Palace kicked off and went forward quickly with Strand Larsen poorly heading the ball well wide of the Everton post. Immediately, Tarkowski passed a ball into the path of Beto who had Lacroix on him and the chance looked to have gone but a nice touch opened up space and he passed the ball through the legs of Henderson. Beto had his 9th of the season and Everton had another lead to protect.
Palace looked to respond but KDH was there to snuff out the chance. Some nice holdup play by Beto led to a free kick on the edge of the Palace box which Garner drove goalward and needed a save from Henderson. Beto was working hard and forced another corner. This time it was recycled until Garner crossed the ball but it was too high for Beto.
Looking to finish Palace off, Pickford threw a ball into the path of KDH who was in on goal but Henderson got his hand on the ball when the midfielder tried to go round Henderson. Everton started to slow the game down with a period of possession. Palace got back on the ball but they were ineffective.
Palace made their first switch with Strand Larsen being withdrawn for Mateta in those massive shorts! No one wears them like him. Palace drove forward and when Sarr got on the end of a cross, Pickford was forced to tip the ball into touch. Everton counter attacked but Ndiaye could not pierce the Palace backline.
Another corner for Palace was delivered to Munoz who headed the ball goalward which was then flicked on by Canvot but Pickford was there to catch it. Beto was withdrawn on 70 minutes for Barry. Sarr had the ball in the box and tried to swivel and shoot but Tarkowski had him well covered. That was not the case when Mitchell went past Rohl and pulled the ball back to Mateta who slammed the ball into the roof of the Everton goal.
Palace were energized and when Munoz headed the ball back into the box, Sarr should have done better. Merlin Rohl was withdrawn five minutes too late with Tyrique George taking his place. Lermer delivered a ball into Kamada and he went down in the box but the referee saw nothing of note. Palace were pushing for the winner and when Mitchell headed the ball across the goal, Sarr could not get his head on it.
George went on a mazy run but he was dispossessed before KDH hit the post although the play was called back for an offside. Palace were at it again and when Wharton drove a ball goalward it clattered off the post. The Palace faithful cheered as five minutes of added time was announced. George was driving forward again and slid a ball into Ndiaye who forced another save from Henderson.
The corner was recycled and Garner’s cross was met by Keane but his header was weak. Palace broke forward and munoz slid it in to Mateta but his shot was well over the bar. KDH was withdrawn with Alcaraz coming on. Barry drove forward with Alcaraz who had his shot deflect wide of the goal. The resulting corner was delivered by Garner but it was disappointing and the whistle was blown.
Everton’s Man of the Match
James Tarkowski: Another good day at the office for Everton’s #6. His goal was neatly taken with his right foot and at the start of the second half, his scything pass to Beto restored the lead and showed that he is more than a header of the ball and defender. He had 12 defensive contributions including 3 tackles, 2 blocks and 6 clearances.
Instant Reaction
Another frustrating day at the office for the Everton faithful. Two leads were lost and we let Palace back in both times to gain one point instead of three. Once again, we had our chances and once again Iliman Ndiaye passed up a big chance at the end to win the game. We are getting goals from Beto and Barry but we need to be more clinical
Going into the match, Everton had only lost one of the last 22 matches against Palace. A quick start in both halves gave them leads which they were unable to protect. Much talk this week was about how Everton had developed a frustrating habit of conceding costly late goals – it had happened in their previous three games against Liverpool, West Ham and City. The streak of dropped points continues and the European hopes are fading. Everton must win both of their remaining games to have any chance of continental football next season.
The choice by Moyes to play Beto ahead of Barry was not much of a surprise as Moyes continues to stick to his plan. Barry has struggled at times when he has been left out and today, that would have been expected. How he would react when he entered the match was the big question. Entering the game with 20 minutes to go, he ended with 9 touches and he created one chance but a goal was not in the cards. He seems to respond well at home when the crowd is behind him. Today, the Palace crowd was in full voice and Barry huffed and puffed but could not make the difference that he did last week.
Merlin Rohl had another solid game today but it was his tired legs that allowed Mitchell to get past him for the Mateta goal. Once again, Moyes was late on the switch which would have nullified the attack down the left that Palace had used more and more as Rohl faded.
