Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton: Back and Forth Game Ends in Draw

Crystal Palace came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Everton.

A strike from top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta earned Crystal Palace a point at home to Everton.

The Eagles had previously equalised through Ismaila Sarr after conceding early in both halves.

The result dents Everton’s hopes of European qualification but moves Palace to guaranteed safety from relegation.

Palace Penalised for slow starts.

Everton started the game strongly with striker Beto forcing a late tackle from Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix after four minutes.

The visitors took the lead shortly after with James Tarkowski reacting fastest to a corner that was flicked on at the near post by a Palace defender, to tap in from close range and give his side the lead.

At this stage of the game, it looked as if Palace’s players may have been fatigued from their 2-1 win in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final with Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday. 

Manager Oliver Glasner decide to only make two changes to his starting 11 from , despite the short turnaround time.

The home side grew into the game however, with Lacroix forcing a save from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, before Sarr equalised after 34 minutes.

Palace missed a chance to take the lead before half-time when centre-back Chris Richards headed Tyrick Mitchell’s cross over the bar.

Everton took back control of the game early in the second-half however, when Beto latched onto Tarkowski’s through ball, and brushed aside Lacroix, before nutmegging Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Midfielder James Garner forced two impressive saves from Henderson, before the England goalkeeper capitalised on a moment of hesitation from Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall when running through on goal.

Mateta helps to turn the tide.

Mateta was one of the two Palace players who were rested from the start after their role in Thursday’s win. The French striker replaced Jorgen Strand Larsen after 65 minutes.

Their top scorer this season’s presence in the penalty area gave Palace an attacking focal point, with Mateta occupying one of Everton’s centre-backs, Tarkowski and Michael Keane, at all times, helping to create space for his teammates.

Sarr and Jaydee Canvot both had efforts saved before Mateta turned in Mitchell’s cross with just under 15 minutes of normal time to play.

Palace had a penalty appeal turned down soon afterwards, when VAR judged that Everton’s Tim Iroegbunam didn’t bring down Palace’s Daichi Kamada in the penalty box.

Adam Wharton came closest to winning the home side the game when he hit the post in the 89th minute, before Keane and Iliman Ndiaye both had efforts saved by Henderson in stoppage time.

Player of the Match: James Tarkowski

The centre-back has started all but one of Everton’s Premier League games this season and has been crucial to their defensive solidity throughout.

He was a constant threat in the Crystal Palace penalty area this game and took his goal well.

Tarkowski’s pass to set-up Beto to score the second was also impressive and proves his often-underrated abilities as a ball-playing centre-back are some of the best in the league.

What’s Next?

Crystal Palace’s next game is away to Manchester City on Wednesday night.

The Eagles will be mathematically safe from relegation by then if West Ham fail to beat Arsenal on Sunday evening, or Tottenham lose to Leeds on Monday night.

Everton host Sunderland next Sunday, with both sides knowing a win is likely to be necessary to continue their hopes of qualifying for European football.

The Toffees last European campaign ended in a Group Stage elimination from the Europa League in 2017-18.