Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Everton
With family and friends residing in London, I travelled down to the capital on Friday evening and went out for a few beers around the Blackhorse Road tap rooms. Waking up in London on match day felt mighty convenient. After some breakfast with my sister, I was on my way towards London Bridge were I was meeting Chris, Michael and Stewart at the Old Thameside Inn, before moving on to The Rake where Leslie joined us, and then The Wheatsheaf.
I had to pick up our tickets from the ticket office near the Arthur Wait stand, and conscious of making sure we were there in good time, Leslie and I left the others a little early and grabbed a pint inside the ground while word filtered around that Fulham had beaten Leeds United 2-1.
We got to our seats and found ourselves on literally the very front row by the corner flag as the players went through their last minute preparations directly in front of us before kick off. Mason Holgate was, perhaps surprisingly, selected at right back, though the news of Dominic Calvert-Lewin beginning the game was pleasing to all.
It was a bit chaotic down there with all sorts of goading between the two sets of supporters, and visibility was tough as we looked along the line... can you claim a refund for obstructed view due to people being too tall to the left of you?
Crystal Palace got straight down our right side from kick off and got a dangerous ball into the penalty area which was thankfully cleared. We eventually settled and had what felt like a good 10 minutes or so. Any opportunities were largely from distance with Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both having untroubling efforts on goal from distance.
Though whatever we were doing well, we seemed to stop doing as Crystal Palace gained some initiative in the game and Jordan Ayew passed up a great headed opportunity. We were struggling to keep the Eagles at bay, though showed enough resilience to keep them out and eventually managed to get back on the front foot again, Alex Iwobi forcing a good save from Sam Johnstone with an excellent volley. It was tense if not spectacular, and we were happy enough to be in the game at the break.
The kids' half-time penalty shoot-out was nice and good-natured. A young Evertonian scored his penalty past the Eagle mascot and ran to the corner flag near us and gave it the old Tim Cahill celebration. It was nice to see Neal Maupay make a fuss of the young lad, high five him and give him his training top. And then in response, the young Crystal Palace supporter scored her penalty and ran over to us Evertonians with her finger over her lips in a "Shush" motion, which drew a good round of applause.
That was about as entertaining as it got in truth in what was a second half desperately short on quality. Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost scored though dragged his effort slightly wide of the post. Eberechi Eze did have the ball in the net though it was flagged offside, and he was also denied by Jordan Pickford who tipped his effort around the post, though that was largely it in a tame encounter.
Everton were resilient and dug in well with defending set-pieces and showed all the character they didn't show last weekend against Fulham, not least once Mason Holgate was given his marching orders with a second yellow card. He can have no complaints with the referee, though he can maybe complain about his goalkeeper, who's hospital pass put him in trouble.
But that was about that. Not a bad point on the face of it, especially having gone down to 10 men, and it may end up being a vital one. Though with Leicester City beating Wolverhampton Wanderers we now occupy a relegation spot. It looks like we, players and supporters are going to have to rouse ourselves for one more magical night at Goodison Park underneath the lights. Have we got the bottle?
After the match, I made it back to Euston Station in plenty of time for the 18:43 home, and caught up with Chris, Michael and Stewart on the train. And then I just caught my bus back and was home before 10pm.
A good day out. Aside from the football.
Player ratings
Jordan Pickford: He gave Mason Holgate a bit of a hospital pass for the red card, but was otherwise very good and commanded his box expertly. 7
Vitalii Mykolenko: He had a good game defensively, really good I thought actually, though not a lot going forward. 6
James Tarkowski and Michael Keane: They were both very good and handled Jordan Ayew and then Jean-Phillippe Mateta very well. Hopefully that's last Saturday's horror show out of the system. 7
Mason Holgate: He was all at sea in the first half and finished the half with a caution. He was much better in the second half and was a bit let down by Jordan Pickford with the pass that allowed Jordan Ayew in. I wouldn't say Mason had to take Ayew down, but I can see why he did. With so little game time, it was always going to be tough putting Mason in on that flank, and in the first half particularly, it really showed. 5
Idrissa Gueye: He nearly put us in trouble by losing possession late on, but I thought he had an okay game. 6
James Garner: I really like the look of James, he's a very gifted player and is more of a scrapper than I realised. He could have a say on the rest of the season yet. My Man of the Match. 7
Dwight McNeil: Another great shift from Dwight. 7
Demarai Gray: Decent in flashes though inconsistent. 6
Alex Iwobi: Also very good in moments and worked hard, though needs more consistency. 6
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: He didn't have a lot to work with though offers much more of a presence obviously. Great to have him back. 6
Ben Godfrey (for Mason Holgate): Brought on to cover for the red carded Mason Holgate, and he coped well as Crystal Palace went for the kill. 6
Neal Maupay (for Dominic Calvert-Lewin): Didn't have a lot to work with in the short time he had on the field so difficult to judge.
Reader Comments (44)
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2 Posted 23/04/2023 at 09:41:22
We were playing a team with a very average home record (5-5-5). It was one of the most winnable games left.
We are now in the Bottom 3. Anyone that says it wasn't 2 points dropped needs to give their head a shake.
3 Posted 23/04/2023 at 10:24:05
We need Seamus back in the fold for the run-in, Dyche has obviously come to the view that Patterson is useless, we will have Doucouré for Newcastle; I suspect Gray will drop out and Iwobi will move wide right. I also expect Garner to retain his position.
The points haul from the past two games has been disappointing and I agree with you, Palace was a game that we should have been hoping to pick up a win.
I am hoping that 34/35 points might be enough as I find it hard to see where we will pick up more than 7 points in our remaining 6 games.
Any addition to the tally on Thursday will be a bonus!
4 Posted 23/04/2023 at 12:22:33
5 Posted 23/04/2023 at 12:28:45
6 Posted 23/04/2023 at 12:40:38
7 Posted 23/04/2023 at 12:40:45
8 Posted 23/04/2023 at 12:47:14
I wonder if United's Shaw, TAA over the park or Trippier of Newcastle would have received two yellow cards for similar incidents - I very much doubt it. Also this totting up move that the referees do such as when booking Dominic Calvert-Lewin, is annoying, the player has either made a yellow card challenge or he hasn't.
10 Posted 23/04/2023 at 13:15:36
Having now watched it back, I agree. I don't think the first foul was a yellow card at all. And thinking about it with the second one, had that been one of them aforementioned players already on a yellow card they'd have been given the benefit of the doubt. James Milner against Manchester City last season and Trent Alexander-Arnold on Anthony Gordon last season are two which spring to mind.
That said, once on a yellow you're asking for trouble diving in like that, but you make a good point.
11 Posted 23/04/2023 at 13:32:25
Dyche has had no part in buying any of these players for Everton but knows Tarkowski, McNeil and Keane from their Burnley days and is getting the best out of McNeil, Tarkowski has proved to be a good signing and was outstanding yesterday, Keane worries me more than Holgate, I thought the two yellows were harsh considering they were pretty mild to some of the tackles that were going in yesterday, and last week with a very small striker Pickford kicked nearly every ball right down the field to this striker and it came back just as quickly to him, yesterday with Dominic on the field he throws one ball out to Iwobi in his own half with an opponent close to him and loses the ball immediately putting Palace on a break, then he tries the short pass to Holgate who is again closely marked and is given a yellow trying to retrieve the ball after that pass, he constantly screams and shouts at his defence maybe Jordan should shut up now and again and screw his nut and think what he is doing himself, No complaints about his actual goalkeeping ability yesterday I have to say.
12 Posted 23/04/2023 at 14:00:28
I agree the first booking was really soft and was influenced by the home crowd. For the second yellow the moment Pickford attempted the long pass wide to Holgate we were in trouble. It went straight to Ayew who had a yard or more start on Holgate. Again it was a case of the home crowd playing its part in influencing the referee's decision. Incidentally it was the first red card given by John Brooks in fourteen Premier League matches this season
Without Seamus we have a huge problem at right back. Patterson has looked promising, but no more than that, when he goes forward and is wayward defensively. Godfrey is all over the place. He lacks discipline in his positioning and makes poor decisions. We have spent over £30m on these two players.
13 Posted 23/04/2023 at 16:43:39
They would have been professional enough not prolonged the obstruction with the referee looking at them and they would have been facing the goalkeeper to be ready for what he was about to do. In both cases, Holgate was not thinking of what he was doing. Which is something he has often done.
14 Posted 23/04/2023 at 17:09:40
We were about 6 inches away from gaining 2 points and, had Palace equalised late on, then it would have been 2 points lost. Alternatively, had Palace scored a late winner, then it would have been 1 point lost. You can't lose what you never had, and we never had 3 points yesterday. Am I being pedantic? Of course I am.
That point will be priceless come the end of the season when we're all dancing and singing again on the pitch and in the pubs around the stadium when we 'celebrate' (not the word I want to use, by the way) survival again.
15 Posted 23/04/2023 at 17:35:28
There's a lot of hope but not much reality.
16 Posted 23/04/2023 at 17:47:29
I still think we'll win our last game so need minimum 3 points from the next 5. Win on Thursday would obviously be huge. Did it a year ago and The Barcodes thrashing Spurs today only helps us as they've all but guaranteed their Champions League place.
Bottom 5 collectively have managed just 2 league wins in the last 25 games. Shockingly bad and unfortunately we're part of the statistics.
Onto Thursday. No idea what result I want from Leeds Utd vs Leicester City, but irrelevant if we can't pick up points. ourselves.
17 Posted 23/04/2023 at 17:50:02
Newcastle have had periods of being very ordinary, even if not so right now. They aren't easily beaten but have drawn a lot of games, 11; something to go at.
Have to do our best, and that's it.
18 Posted 23/04/2023 at 17:57:08
Why do you need to ask? Another statement of the obvious in that we aren't likely to win?
19 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:02:22
Anything can happen, 11 v 11 after all and playing at St James isn't the same as playing at Goodison.
20 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:03:12
We can beat Newcastle. Of course we can. The players need to believe it, though.
21 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:06:56
Saturday 12 March: Bournemouth 1-0 Liverpool.
What happens in one game one week is totally irrelevant to what will or may happen the next.
22 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:16:14
We get Doucouré, Onana and Coleman back, we could beat them. I think we'll win.
23 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:18:52
October 1896: Burnley beat Everton 2-1
The following month, November 1896: Everton beat Burnley 6-0
Dave Abrahams will no doubt remember the scorers.
24 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:24:10
25 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:27:44
26 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:35:36
27 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:38:01
I waas at the '66 final – magic. Then at the '68 final – so poor. Astle the villain at the time ('68); sadly the first British footballer known to have died as a result of all those headers.
28 Posted 23/04/2023 at 18:50:10
29 Posted 23/04/2023 at 19:02:59
Fortunately most of that team stayed and they won the title two years later.
Scary the way the Barcodes took Spurs apart and whilst appreciating how good they are this season no two games are ever alike and we all sincerely hope that Thursday will be totally different from today.
Everton know what is required and every point will be precious. Any three teams from six can go down but suffice it to say we have to beat Leicester and Bournemouth and maybe pick up a point or two from the other games.
It is a sad position that the hierarchy at Goodison have put us in and the quicker this nightmare season is over the better.
The return of one or two players may just have come at the right time.
I feared the selection of Holgate before yesterday's game and so it proved.
He along with a few others should be let go when the time comes.
30 Posted 23/04/2023 at 19:49:26
Above all I believe the most importante thing is our players don't make stupid decisions and get sent off in these games. Example? Doucourse against Spurs. I mean the important players, not the Holgate type.
If we keep a fit 11 and without red cards for the resting games I'm quite optimistic. If not, God only knows…
31 Posted 23/04/2023 at 20:12:43
32 Posted 23/04/2023 at 20:58:06
33 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:09:34
I hope you remember a few of the goals in the link below, some I had forgotten, but it was at least nice
to see players scoring for a change, many of them scored by players still in the current squad.
34 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:14:40
35 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:27:07
A classic example is the fact that Wigan Athletic who were destined to suffer relegation from the Premier League, beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final. It suggests to me that predicting results is futile, and it's the reason that I attend games with an open mind.
Regarding those who have forecast relegation for Everton [some predicting it as early as Christmas] may well be correct, but I will only accept it if the points gained fall short of the points required [eg] 4 points needed with one 1 game to play.
36 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:27:21
37 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:27:45
38 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:29:15
39 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:34:32
One of the best bits of the Palace game was Pickford clearly telling a Palace fan (who must have been goading him) to fuck off and then turning to the Evertonians with a clenched fist and huge smile. Even the home support saw the funny side of it.
40 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:37:13
41 Posted 23/04/2023 at 21:45:52
This has hampered the offence more than anything and is the reason we have struggled so badly this season and to be honest a few seasons before this.
Yes, experienced managers have also made some bad choices but overall Everton lack speed and commitment where it matters.
When I see some of the Fulham, Brighton, Brentford games I see so much more determination especially in the middle of the park than the midfield of Everton.
Of all the teams in the Prem. Everton are the worst in moving the ball out of defence and are easily pressed into mistakes.
That was evident from early on and has never improved.
To say there needs to be a complete overhaul is an understatement whether they survive the drop or not.
42 Posted 24/04/2023 at 01:33:13
I don't bet on football Dave, certainly not on Everton, but we can and will get a result on Thursday.
Neil, see you at the next one. Saturday was a great day out.
43 Posted 24/04/2023 at 02:43:01
They having scored only one goal in their last 45 minutes of play.
44 Posted 24/04/2023 at 04:01:24
I think I had us drawing at Leicester though so it's obviously got no margin for error.
I had Leeds only gaining another 2 points.
All useless of course. There will be a couple of freak outcomes that blow every prediction out of the water. But the teams around us aren't looking too pretty either. Every little bit of fight that we can muster might just make the difference.
45 Posted 25/04/2023 at 03:17:08
For Newcastle: Perhaps we should use 4-4-2 with the midfield 4 being Doucouré, Garner, Gana and Onana. Up front McNeil (Gray? Iwobi?) and Calvert-Lewin.
Back line - Patterson, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko. plus Pickford of course.Assuming Seamus will not be fit.
Bench - Begovic, Coady, Godfrey, Davies, Maupay, Simms, (Gray, Iwobi),
(I'm assuming Yerry Mina is still not available - if he is, replace Maupay with him.)
UTFT
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1 Posted 23/04/2023 at 09:11:43