Everton came into this game desperate for a reaction after recent performances, and by the final whistle, they had delivered just that against a Crystal Palace side who looked set to leave with all three points and were the only undefeated side in the Premier League.
As we all expected, it was Crystal Palace with the early pressure and they were playing way better than the host today. Wharton saw plenty of the ball and combined well with Sarr between the lines as Everton struggled to find control. It was no surprise when the goal came – Sarr ran the channel and squared for Muñoz, who ran past Tarkowski and slotted calmly into the near post to give Palace a deserved lead.
Even after that goal, Everton did not respond with any real intensity. The game only stayed 0-1 because Pickford made two saves to deny Mateta who came close twice, including a one-on-one where the Frenchman tried to chip the ball over the keeper. The visitors pressed for a second and almost got it through O’Brien, who had to be stopped on the line after a Palace breakaway opened up acres of space.
It looked like things might slip away from Everton, but Keane’s calmness at the back and Garner’s deliveries gave the fans some hope. Alcaraz came on and almost changed the game with his directness – one run in particular saw him drive forward and find Ndiaye, who caused real trouble down the right flank.
Then came the moment that swung momentum. Iroegbunam won a penalty after sneaking behind Lacroix and getting brought down – Ndiaye stepped up and rolled the ball into the corner, sending Henderson the wrong way. That goal woke Everton up and for the first time in the match, Palace looked like they might be in trouble.
As the game entered added time, Beto laid it off for Alcaraz who smashed just over. But Everton kept going. Grealish had been quiet all game but found himself in the right place when Ndiaye’s ball was deflected into his path – and he made no mistake, thundering the ball into the net to win it for the Toffees in dramatic fashion.
Coleman came on to see out the final minutes and Everton managed to hold off Palace’s final push. Even Henderson coming up for the final corner couldn’t stop what had already been written – Everton had completed the comeback.
