Report & Highlights: Everton strike late to sink Palace

SUMMARY:

• Three changes for Palace as Henderson, Sarr and Lerma return to the team
• 5: First chance for Palace, Mateta works some space and shoots, but Pickford saves.
• 20: Lerma has the ball in the net, but the goal is immediately ruled out as Devenny’s corner went out of play.
• Sarr smashes a close-range effort back off the bar with Pickford beaten.
• 42 – GOAL: Beto is released by a pass and slides the ball under Henderson.
• HT: Palace 0-1 Everton
• 47 – GOAL: Mateta fires home after Everton fail to deal with a bouncing ball.
• 54: Eze fires just over the bar after a storming run towards goal.
• 70: Chilwell goes close with a low shot after Wharton’s pass.
• 80 – GOAL: Everton take the lead through Alcarez’s low effort from close range.
• 85: Eze pulls a shot wide of goal.
• FT: Palace 1-2 Everton

The Eagles were the better side for much an absorbing contest but were hit with two sucker punch goals towards the end of each half, against the run of play.

Beto had put the Toffees in front three minutes before the break, but Palace hit back with a flying start to the second half – Jean Philippe Mateta firing in his 11th league goal of the season.

But it was Everton who grabbed all three points when Alcaraz reacted to a loose ball in the box to fire home.

Freshened up by the return of Ismaïla Sarr and Jefferson Lerma, Palace started fast and had the better early chances. In quick succession, Jean-Philippe Mateta and then Justin Devenny both stung the gloves of Jordan Pickford.

The Toffees looked happy to sit in, while both Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell had plenty of space to exploit down the flanks.

And it was Palace who had the ball in the net for the first time midway through the opening half. Jefferson Lerma rose superbly to plant a header in to the net, but unfortunately the goal was immediately ruled out.

Spotted by the on-field officials, a VAR review confirmed that Devenny’s corner went out of play before spinning back into the box.

Palace continued to press, Sarr having the best the chance of the half when played in by Mateta, only to smash an effort against the crossbar from close range.

Despite showing little attacking threat in the first half, it was Everton who broke the deadlock. Carlos Alcaraz caught Palace on the break and threaded through a clever pass to Beto, who squeezed home a shot underneath the onrushing Henderson. Despite controlling the half, Palace went into the break a goal down.

Glasner chose to shuffle his pack at the interval, introducing Adam Wharton and Ebere Eze, with Lerma and Devenny making way.

And the changes had pretty much an instant impact, Chris Richards heading just over the top from Eze’s inviting free-kick.

Only a minute later Palace were finally level. Marc Guéhi hooked the ball back into the danger zone after two Everton players went for the same ball.

His touch fell perfectly to Mateta who converted with a smart first-time finish beyond Pickford.

After a lengthy, lengthy, VAR check the goal was finally confirmed with Mateta shown to be clearly onside.

Momentum was now firmly with the Eagles, Eze driving a long-range effort only fractionally over the bar, while at the other end Henderson did well to keep out an effort from Lindstrom.

Ben Chilwell was given his home debut as Palace continued to press for the lead. But they also left space at the other end with another save from Henderson and a crucial stop from Lacroix needed to deny Beto his second of the evening.

But the extra legs from the changes were aiding the Palace cause. Chilwell nearly had his first goal for the Eagles when picked out by a superb Wharton pass, only for his low shot to tipped round the post by Pickford.

But it was Everton who would strike with just ten minutes of the contest remaining.

Jack Harrison’s high cross wasn’t properly cleared and after Ashley Young’s initial effort was blocked by Will Hughes, the ball fell perfectly to Carlos Alcaraz who drilled in a low effort beyond Henderson.

Daichi Kamada and Eddie Nketiah were thrown on in response, as Palace pushed players forward. But despite six minutes of injury time, the Eagles were unable to find another equaliser.

Palace will be back in action away at Fulham, one week from today.

Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix (Nketiah, 86), Guehi, Munoz, Mitchell (Chilwell, 60), Lerma (Wharton, 45), Hughes (Kamada, 86), Devenny (Eze, 45), Sarr, Mateta.

Substitutes: Turner (GK), Clyne, Kporha, Esse

Everton: Pickford (GK), O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gana, Garner, Alcaraz (Iroegbunam, 86), Lindstrøm (Young, 79), Harrison, Beto.

Substitutes: Virginia (GK), Begovic (GK), Keane, Sherif, Dixon, Heath, Ebere.

As It Happened