Premier League GW25 - Everton vs Crystal Palace

Everton vs Crystal Palace | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Everton and Crystal Palace faced up on a frigid evening at Goodison Park, which promised intrigue and uncertainty. There was potential for an exciting match as Everton battled to stay out of the relegation zone and Crystal Palace dealt with management changes.

Everton:

Sean Dyche's team, now in 18th place in the Premier League, is fighting to stay in the competition while Everton awaits their decision following their appeal against their 10-point deduction earlier in the season. Everton has only drawn two of its last four Premier League games at Goodison Park; its latest three-match home draw streak dates back to January and February of 2015. They play host to Palace today, who in their last eight trips to the Toffees have failed to secure the three points. After a difficult run of play, where they have failed to win in their past seven league games (D3 L4), Dyche's team needs to get some momentum. With a victory, Everton would move out of the relegation zone and above Luton Town.

Crystal Palace:

Roy Hodgson, who was replaced by Oliver Glasner after leaving the club earlier today, will not be playing for Palace in their opening match. Before Glasner takes over as manager, the team at Goodison Park will be led by Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington. The Eagles will be trying to win their first league game against Everton since 2021 after losing their last three away Premier League games while conceding 11 goals. After losing to Chelsea 3-1 last week, Palace will play their second straight Monday Premier League game. In fact, throughout the last four seasons (2020–21 to 2023–24), the Eagles will play 16 Monday games in the league, which is at least two more than any other team.

Line ups:

EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Jordan Pickford; Vitalii Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Ben Godfrey; Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner, Ashley Young; Abdoulaye Doucoure; Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

EVERTON SUBS: Nathan Patterson, Michael Keane, Amadou Onana, Jack Harrison, Joao Virginia, Beto, Youssef Chermiti, Andy Lonergan, Lewis Dobbin.

CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-3): Sam Johnstone; Tyrick Mitchell, Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen, Daniel Munoz; Jefferson Lerma, Chris Richards, Adam Wharton; Odsonne Edouard, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jordan Ayew.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: James Tomkins, Matheus Franca, Nathaniel Clyne, Naouirou Ahamada, Dean Henderson, Jairo Riedewald, David Ozoh, Franco Umeh-Chibueze, Jadan Raymond.

Goodison Park Stadium | Picture Credits: Football Ground Guide

First Half Stalemate: A Battle of Midfield Control:

Both sides were unable to break the tie in the first half, which was a cautious encounter.

When Mateta found Edouard in the 13th minute due to Branthwaite's inability to clear, Palace had a fantastic opportunity. But Jordan Pickford made a simple save to demonstrate his skill as a shot-blocker.

In the twenty-second minute, Doucoure found Garner's flick, setting up McNeil in a critical moment for Everton. Calvert-Lewin, the striker, rose above Andersen to receive a pass from the winger, but his header just missed the mark.

When Pickford tried to handle a long pass behind the defensive line in the twenty-fourth minute, he found himself in a dangerous situation. Fortunately for Everton, a collision with Edouard caused the ball to sail out of play.

In the 35th minute, Ayew created an overload on the right, giving Palace a good chance. Lerma had a chance to put Palace ahead, but his hurried attempt went over the bar.

Second Half Unleashes Action: Ayew's Thunderbolt and Onana's Heroics:

A spectacular goal and a flurry of action in the second half set the stage for the late drama.

Mateta's determination won the ball, which made Mitchell's explosive run possible. Pickford stopped the left-back's attempt, preventing Palace from taking the lead.

Everton gave a resolute response. Johnstone made an incredible save to deny Tarkowski's header from a corner. Everton's attack was evident when Godfrey cleared Doucoure's attempt off the line after Gueye's follow-up was blocked.

There was a brilliant moment in minute 67. Pickford had little chance as Ayew struck with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the area that soared into the top-left corner thanks to Mateta's hold-up play. Palace went ahead 1-0.

With time running out, Everton stepped up their attempts to earn a point.

Calvert-Lewin was found by McNeil's cross, and his header just missed the mark. Everton began to tighten the screws.

Johnstone preserved Palace's lead during a pivotal Everton opportunity by superbly stopping Garner's shot.

From a corner, the late drama emerged. Onana was found by McNeil's ball, and his strong header into the goal equalized the score for Everton. Everton's mastery at set pieces was highlighted.

Points Shared in a Rollercoaster Finish:

When the final whistle blew, a wild game at Goodison Park came to an end. Everton and Crystal Palace finished with a 1-1 draw as the winners. There was plenty of drama in the second half, but the first half lacked attacking flair. Ayew's incredible goal appeared to give Palace the win, but Onana's late header gave Everton a hard-earned point. Everton is going through a difficult time as they have lost their last eight games. Despite managerial changes, Crystal Palace showed tenacity to earn a crucial point along the way. At Goodison, football's unpredictable nature once again grabbed center stage.

A goalless first half as both teams did not score | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Ayew scored a goal and broke the deadlock for Palace which gave them a 0-1 lead | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Onana scored a goal for Everton which equalised the match | Picture Credits: Premier League Website