Crystal Palace vs Everton 23/24

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all well.

On Saturday 11th November 2023, Crystal Palace hosted Everton at Selhurst Park for a Premier League fixture in a 3pm kick off.

Palace came into the game off the back of a 2-0 win away to Burnley, securing another clean sheet with Jeffery Schlupp and Tyrick Mitchell on the scoresheet with the latter scoring his second ever goal in an impressive way!

This week’s visitors were Sean Dyche’s Everton. Coming into the game the travelling team were 16th in the table, four points behind the hosts. Their last game was a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton, which they would’ve won if it weren’t for a late own goal. Before that they beat both Burnley and West Ham with both games featuring clean sheets.

Roy Hodgson along with the Palace fans would’ve come into this game feeling extra hopeful with Ebere Eze and Michael Olise both back to match fitness. Hodgson only made one change to his previous lineup that faced Burnley, this saw Cheick Doucoure be replaced by Eze who was fit for the whole game having featured for the final 30 minutes last week.

In a dramatic and intense game at Selhurst Park Crystal Palace left empty handed as Everton secured a 3-2 victory in the final few minutes.

The teams were led out onto the pitch by servicemen before observing a minute’s silence on Armistice Day, to remember those that died fighting for our country.

From the minute the whistle was blown, the game was non-stop action!

Despite coming into the game the best way possible off the back of a 2-0 away win and Ebere Eze returning to the starting 11, it was Everton who got off to the better start.

It took only 55 seconds for the away side to open the scoring. A long ball up from Jarrad Branthwaite was only half dealt with allowing the ball to reach Jack Harrison out wide, the left back crossed the ball into the box where Vitalii Mykolenko was waiting to head it in from close range.

Palace immediately went up the other end with Jeffery Schlupp who worked his way into the box and went down but both the referee and VAR was unmoved.

Palace didn’t let the scoreline effect their play. With his first touch of the afternoon Eze picked up the ball deep in his own half and danced through multiple Everton players as he drove towards the box, bringing the needed spark the team have been missing, the Palace number 10 was brought down in the box…and this time the referee pointed to the spot.

Taking responsibility himself he delivered the most relaxed penalty you’ll ever see leaving his England teammate, Jordan Pickford, rooted to the ground. He put his side back level just five minutes into the game proving how fast paced it was from the very beginning!

Palace continued to enjoy much of the ball but just failed to capitalise on their chances. James Tarkowski made a very important headed clearance at the back post with Odsonne Edouard lurking close behind.

Everton, too, had chances of their own with Dwight McNeil calling Sam Johnstone into action.

Eze continued to be a bright spark for Palace causing the visitors a load of issues down the right side, he danced his way into the box again and was brought down but this time the decision went against him and he was booked for simulation.

Edouard was played in behind by the heal of Eze, the striker made a direct run towards goal but with the angle against him was unable to shoot allowing Tarkowski to recover and win a goal kick.

Much like the first half, Everton came out from the break looking strong. A corner was only half cleared, the previous goal scorer Mykolenko’s long range volley was deflected off the post but only into the path of Abdoulaye Doucouré who could finish into an empty net.

Tyrick Mitchell and Schlupp linked up down the left, almost causing an own goal if it weren’t for Pickford’s fast reactions to produce a save.

Once again the home side’s heads didn’t drop as they dominated possession and created countless chances, including Jefferson Lerma’s long range shot which flashed just wide of the post.

On the 67th minute Palace were given another boost with the introduction of Michael Olise after being out injured for 139 days. With his name ringing round Selhurst Park the young winger picked up where he left off, making some dangerous runs when on the ball and whipped a shot just outside the box which went just round the post.

With just over 15 minutes on the clock, Everton failed to clear a cross into the box allowing Lerma to recycle the ball back into the box, Tarkowski misjudged the bounce and with Edouard lurking the striker was able to finish past the keeper to bring the score back level.

Against the run of play Everton managed to find the winner with five minutes remaining, Doucouré found himself in space on the edge of the box and managed to pick out Idrissa Gueye who found the back of the net for the final time this match.

Palace failed to find another comeback resulting in the game ended 3-2.

A great game for the neutrals, and one we shouldn’t have left with nothing! I thought Ebere Eze was brilliant, injecting the much needed energy into the team and especially now with Michael Olise back in the team there should be some good performance coming up! I think overall Palace were the better team but just didn’t take their chances and frustratingly they often tried to walk the ball in and passed it around too much ending in a turnover in possession. There was some nice football on display so I am hopeful!

There is now an international break where both Marc Guehi and Sam Johnstone will feature for England’s games, before Palace return on the 25th to face Luton away.

I am attending the Palace’s under 21’s match away to Stevenage on Tuesday night with university, so look out for that post.

Thank you for reading!

Ellie Xx