Palace Edged Out In Five Goal Thriller With Everton

The Eagles crashed to defeat courtesy of a late winner by the visitors after coming from behind twice to almost secure a deserved point, but end up empty handed ahead of another two week international break.

MATCH INFORMATION

• 3pm – 11^th October 2023
• Crystal Palace 2-3 Everton
• Selhurst Park, Holmesdale Road, London SE25 6PU

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 4 Rob HOLDING, 17 Nathaniel CLYNE, 20 Matheus FRANCA, 28 Cheick DOUCOURE, 23 Chris RICHARDS, 31 Remi MATTHEWS

OPPOSITION LINE-UP

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 5 Michael KEANE, 10 Arnaut DANJUMA, 12 Joao VIRGINIA, 22 Ben GODFREY, 28 Yossef CHERMITI, 61 Lewis DOBBIN

TEB VERDICT

It was an entertaining afternoon at Selhurst Park and the result could really have gone either way, but the normal strength of defending by Palace was found wanting against Everton.

The game ended pivotal on a referring decision to book Eberechi Eze for simulation rather than to award a second penalty which was exceptionally harsh when to look at the replays.

Regardless, the Eagles played well but lost which was very different to the previous weekend when they played poorly but got the result. That’s football.

There were plenty of highlights – Eberchi Eze of course, Tyrick Mitchell, the return of Michael Olise from the bench who almost had an immediate impact, the peculiar case of Odsonne Edouard who did not play that well but got himself on the score sheet.

We now head into another international break where Roy Hodgson and his players can regroup ready for the next run of fixtures which take us into a very busy festive period.

BOB’S POINT OF VIEW

Bob White was a coach at Palace under the tenure of Steve Coppell and Alan Smith and will be sharing his point of view each week in our review article.

“I sense many pundits and fans would have predicted before the game an attritional low scoring encounter. Instead we witnessed an entertaining match in which we finished the wrong side of five goals. On reflection, the final outcome was probably influenced by sleepy starts at the beginning of both halves by our usually reliable defence. Players weren’t switched on.

In fairness Dyche set Everton up to do a job against us with two defensive blocks restricting space in key areas. To compound this, we struggled to convert the few clear cut opportunities that came our way. Creatively, Eze remained a class above the rest of our players until Olise entered the game midway through the second half. Olise certainly showed glimpses of what we have been missing this season. However it shouldn’t hide the fact that weaknesses do exist in other areas of the pitch which may restrict any ambitions to finish in the top ten of the league.

A two week break now should give time for players like Olise and Doucoure to return to full match fitness before a heavy fixture programme leading up to the New Year.”

POST GAME QUOTES

ROY HODGSON

“It was frustrating because we conceded so early in the first half and then we did well I thought to get that equaliser. At half-time we were really confident that we could go out and continue in the way that we have been playing.

But we conceded yet again after a couple of minutes. I thought it was a really good effort then, and we played well to make it 2-2. That would have been a good result on the day having been behind twice.

So to concede a third goal is of course very frustrating and saddening because it leaves me feeling like we could and should have done better today to hold on to the point we had.

You shouldn’t be looking for positives if you lose 3-2 at home to a team who for a large period we had the measure of. Certainly in the second half we had a lot of the ball and were looking quite dangerous. Really that should have been enough to make me a lot happier a person than I am today.” 

SEAN DYCHE

“I’m very pleased, it was a different kind of performance. I think we’ve played better than that and not won games. Now we’re finding that winning mentality, the grit, the determination, some of the details, the energy, the work ethic, that’s the glue that holds a team together in my belief. And that’s coming. We have quality, we have showed that this season. the mentality to come back again is very pleasing.

It’s our responsibility to change our story. I’ve spoken honestly about that over the last couple of seasons. We’re beginning to do that. There’s a long way to go but there are clear signs of that winning mentality that I believe in. The fans are beginning to understand. We do have quality but you’ve got to find ways of winning in the Premier League and we’re doing that.

MATCH STATISTICS

POSITION IN THE TABLE (at the final whistle)

UPCOMING FIXTURES

25/11/2023 Luton Town (a) – Premier League 3pm

03/12/2023 West Ham United (a) – Premier League 2pm

06/12/2023 Bournemouth (h) – Premier League 7.30pm