Hello and good evening all, I am Nathan Woolgar and tonight I will be taking you through this intense clash at Goodison Park.
The line-ups are now out and very soon we will be witnessing the players start to warm up
Now for the away team, we see three changes for the visitors with one of those being in goal as Johnstone replaces Henderson.
This game comes the very same day as the news of Roy Hodgson’s sacking, with the club confirming Ray Lewington and Paddy McCarthy will be taking charge tonight before new gaffer Oliver Glasner takes control.
One thing I can say for sure right off the bat is that this could be a frustrating night for the Eagles, Goodison is always a tricky place to go, especially without a manager, and there are some key players that I am sure Palace will wish they had today, most notably Olise, Eze and Guehi.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter Luton’s loss to Manchester United yesterday afternoon, Everton have the chance to climb out of the relegation with a point today, while a win would put them only two points behind Palace themselves.
Kick Off!
1 mins: We are underway here in the blue half of Liverpool, the first action is a long ball forward from Palace from which Everton win a free kick.
3 mins: Looks to me like two teams playing foot tennis at the moment, I could probably count on one hand the amount of times the ball has touched the ground.
4 mins: There have been a few decent balls from Palace early on, Tarkowski makes a crucial interception to stop Mateta having a tap in.
7 mins: After a slow sloppy start, Everton seem to have remembered where they are and have carved out a few chances for themselves.
10 mins: Everton win the ball back and attack quickly but the challenge on Munoz looked a bit late to me, VAR will be having a look for sure.
12 mins: Close! Palace attack quickly after a deflection gives them an overload in attack, but Edouard’s shot is straight at Pickford.
15 mins: It’s the home team now with a few chances, most of them caused by the long ball forward, Doucoure the latest one to slash a volley wide.
18 mins: As I thought, it’s a very scrappy one tonight, other than the odd long ball from either side, its been very congested in the middle with possession changing frequently.
21 mins: I was quite critical of them in the build up to this game but Palace have been the better side thus far, the commentators saying they are “by far the more fluid team”.
Embed from Getty Images23 mins: Close! Typical as I say that, Everton have the best chance of the game, Calvert-Lewin with a header thumped wide, he really should be scoring that and now is a good time to remind you of his 18 game dry spell.
25 mins: Calvert-Lewin is clearly fouled right on the edge of the area and this could potentially be dangerous…
26 mins: Scratch that, the free kick fired a good distance over the bar.
28 mins: Really haven’t been convinced by Calvert-Lewin so far, playing with very little confidence and the goal drought is beginning to make him greedy. Of course now I’ve said that he’ll probably score a couple.
32 mins: Tarkowski being applauded by the home fans now as he cuts out a flurry of Palace crosses.
35 mins: Beautiful bit of one touch passing from Palace now but it ends up with Lerma firing one into the stands, real lack of composed finishing in this one…
37 mins: The crowd is starting to fire up a bit now as some feisty challenges come in, Palace looking the more like to break the deadlock right now.
39 mins: Close! It should be 1-0, after a few corners, one beats Pickford but Ashley Young is on the line to clear.
40 mins: This game has really opened up now, slide tackles are flying left right and centre, and the ball is up and down the field, I feel like I’m watching a tennis match.
45 mins: The game and the crowd have gone quiet now and there will only be one minute of added time.
Half-Time.
A quiet crowd caused by a quiet game today, this game desperately needs an early goal in the second half to spice things up, or else I might as well have stayed home…
I have been very impressed by the press of Crystal Palace tonight, they’re playing very tight together out of possession to just squeeze Everton into making mistakes and it’s really working for them so far, the majority of Everton’s chances have come from long balls to either Calvert-Lewin or Doucoure.
Embed from Getty ImagesSecond Half Kick Off.
45 mins: We are off once again, let’s all cross our fingers for some goals before home time yeah?
47 mins: We’ve started off with both teams being just as scrappy as they were in the first half, but which side will produce the quality needed to secure three points?
50 mins: Everton with the majority of possession but still waiting for their first shot on target.
51 mins: Lovely bit of play by Palace once again but Mateta goes down and is adamant that he deserves a penalty, neither the referee nor VAR agree with him however…
54 mins: Everton producing another strong showing in defence, only Arsenal and Liverpool have conceded less goals from open play, and they are keeping Palace out for now.
56 mins: Close! Palace are through but of all players in Mitchell to beat Pickford and he takes too long and the Englishman makes a strong save.
Embed from Getty Images60 mins: Feels like the second half is going the same way as the first, lots of midfield action but very few chances for either side, Calvert-Lewin’s 5% conversion rate really showing here.
63 mins: Everton with their best football this half, they build up from the back with some fluid play and a surging run from Godfrey but it’s a poor cross in the end from McNeil
64 mins: Close! From the following corner Tarkowski goes close with a header and the ball is cleared off the line, Everton surely have the momentum now and Palace are struggling to deal with these crosses.
GOAL!!!!
67 mins: Out of absolutely nowhere! Palace break and Jordan Ayew hits one from distance and it nestles into the far corner, Palace lead against the run of play. 1-0.
69 mins: We did all say that a goal would set this game alive so how will Everton reply now? Just before the goal they brought on the fresh legs of Onana and Harrison.
72 mins: It’s noticeable that Palace are sitting considerably deeper, understandable now they have something to protect but not at all exciting for the neutrals among us.
75 mins: Oooh here’s a concern, Sam Johnstone claims the ball but stays down holding his back, that one did look like a nasty landing, looks to me like he will continue for now though.
78 mins: The Toffees keep knocking at the door but Palace are still defending strong, it should be commended how well that back 3 has held up in a big away game without a manager.
80 mins: Close! It just wont go in for Calvert-Lewin today, he hits this one wide from only a few yards out and I’m sure he can feel his Euro chances slipping away, he’s had a good few chances today and when on form, the Englishman tucks them away no problem, but right now he is a man low on confidence.
GOAL!!!
84 mins: It’s an equaliser for the Toffees and you just knew if they were going to find a way, it would be a set piece and it’s Onana who rises highest to send Goodison into ruptures. Six minutes plus injury time to see if either side can find a winner.
87 mins: Teenager David Ozoh enters the game for Palace as a last desperate roll of the dice, he has the chance to introduce himself to the football world here.
90 mins: It should be mentioned that a point for Everton does get them out of the relegation zone on goal difference, that alone should please some blue fans.
90 mins: We’re not done yet though, six minutes of added time and Palace are the side with the most goals conceded in added time.
90+2 mins: We’re playing completely in Palace’s half now, the visitors are just holding off for the whistle.
90+4 mins: Palace manage to get forward but can’t create a chance to steal the points.
90+6 mins: Palace look completely content with wasting time whenever they have possession and settling for the point apiece.
Full-Time.
And the game ends all square, Palace the better team throughout but Everton’s physicality meant they were always a threat on set pieces and they surely took advantage of it. Despite no wins in eight for the Toffees, they see themselves climb out of the bottom three.
Embed from Getty ImagesHope you all enjoyed the game tonight, this has been Nathan Woolgar, taking you through an exciting Premier League battle to excite your Monday evening.
