Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace: Richarlison helps Carlo Ancelotti's side into contention for Europe

The performance included the bad - Jordan Pickford's howler for Christian Benteke's equaliser - and the brilliant - wonderful strikes from Brazilians Bernard and Richarlison - before Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late goal added further gloss for the Toffees.

Carlo Ancelotti's side moved above Manchester United and level on points with fifth-placed Sheffield United, who host Bournemouth on Sunday.

It is hard to imagine two months ago the team were in the bottom three having just sacked Marco Silva, but the turnaround the Italian has overseen has been hugely impressive.

Sky Bet: Dominic Calvert-Lewin 7/2 to make England's 23-man Euro 2020 squad

A total of 17 points from his eight matches in charge is bettered only by near-neighbours and runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool over the same period.

Palace, however, are heading in the opposite direction with no wins and just four points in their last seven matches.

Two of those points came against Manchester City and Arsenal but they only briefly looked like giving manager Roy Hodgson his first win at Goodison Park in nine attempts early in the second half when a previously anonymous Wilfried Zaha came alive for a short spell.

He teed up Benteke for his first Palace goal since April and had Everton panicking for 15 minutes before his thunder was stolen by Richarlison racing half the length of the field to score and tip the balance back in the hosts' favour.

Prior to that the only real piece of quality had been Bernard's goal, the Brazilian executing exquisite controlled technique to take a Theo Walcott cross, which had just flown over the head of Calvert-Lewin, low down on the volley to beat Vicente Guaita, who had kept his place in goal despite last week's howler against Sheffield United.

Walcott's 50th Premier League assist was to be his last involvement as he departed to injury soon after, ending the personal momentum he had built up with his winner last week against Watford.

Zaha, on his 350th Palace appearance, had seen so little of the ball he swapped flanks to try his luck on the right and thought he had won a penalty when he cut across Pickford but the goalkeeper was adjudged to have taken the ball.

The same could not be said minutes after half-time when Zaha played in Benteke. The Belgium international's shot had all the hallmarks of a striker low on confidence having not scored in over nine months, but he would have been delighted to see Pickford make a complete hash of trying to save it, going down so slowly he allowed the ball to go under his outstretched hands and body.

Richarlison bailed out his team-mate with his exhilarating run and finish as he raced onto Calvert-Lewin's flick-on, holding off Gary Cahill in the process, before Pickford redeemed himself somewhat with a point-blank block from Benteke's header.

Then it was Guaita's turn to pull off a stunning save, throwing up a hand to deny Gylfi Sigurdsson after he weaved his way into a scoring position.

Calvert-Lewin wrapped things up late on by poking home after Richarlison's header rebounded off the crossbar.

GOAL CLIPS

• Everton 1-0 Crystal Palace (Bernard)

• Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace (Benteke)

• Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace (Richarlison)

• Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace (Calvert-Lewin)

SIDIBE'S MISHAP

OPTA STATS

• Only Liverpool (24) have won more Premier League points than Everton (17) since Carlo Ancelotti’s first game in charge of the Toffees in December.
• Crystal Palace are without a clean sheet in 10 Premier League games, the longest current run in the competition. However, this was just the second time the Eagles have conceded 3+ goals in a Premier League match this season (also 0-4 vs Spurs in September 2019).
• Crystal Palace named their oldest ever starting XI in the Premier League (30y 101d). None of the last 18 occasions a team has named a side with an average age of 30+ years in the competition has won (D3 L15), with Man City against Southampton in April 2017 the last such victory.
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin has 11 Premier League goals this season, the most by an English player for Everton in a single season since Andrew Johnson in 2006-07 (also 11).
• Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin provided his first Premier League assist of the season, while this was the first time he both scored and assisted in the same league game since December 2017 vs Huddersfield.
• Seven of Richarlison’s nine Premier League goals this season have given Everton the lead in a match. Only Marcus Rashford and Tammy Abraham (8 each) have put their side ahead more often this term.
• Everton’s Theo Walcott has as many goal involvements in his last two Premier League games (1 goal, 1 assist) as he did in his previous 20 in the competition (also 1 goal, 1 assist).
• Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke scored his first Premier League goal since April 2019, ending a run of 17 games and 765 minutes without scoring in the competition.

AS IT HAPPENED: Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace

Live blog by George Pitts

1422: FULL-TIME!

Thanks for joining us for live coverage - we will have a report, stats and more reaction to follow. Do join us from 5pm for our evening coverage of Brighton v Watford!

1420: ANOTHER CHANCE! (3-1)

The hosts playing with confidence now, Richarlison drilling a powerful shot from distance. Guaita parries a difficult shot and Calvert-Lewin looks all set to convert the rebound. The Yorkshireman instead skies it high and wide. We are in the first of three minutes' stoppage time.

GOAL! Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace (Calvert-Lewin)

Digne's corner is brilliantly whipped in, Richarlison's movement excellent. The Brazilain rises high after losing Cahill and heads against the upright from eight yards.

Calvert-Lewin is there to get the rebound with England boss Gareth Southgate watching on...👀

1414: BETTER! (2-1)

Why can't Palace do that more often? Zaha clips it into the box, Dann and Kouyate win the headers and it falls to Benteke who flashes a shot just wide. At least they are creating chances now.

Sigurdsson makes way for Holgate as Ancelotti looks to see out the game.

I did the tips for this one and, despite Palace not winning in 2020, four of them had been draws and I really fancied them to get something today. Annoying too as they had a good spell in the second half before Richarlison's moment of quality on the counter.

Palace still sit six points above West Ham in 18th - they place Man City away tomorrow so good luck to David Moyes and co.

1412: ACTION SHOT - seven to go (2-1)

1407: NO MORE GOALS? (2-1)

It is at 4/6 with Sky Bet, but with 12 minutes to go I reckon that could be that for goals. Palace had their good spell and they will need a big moment of class to get a point now. They aren't exactly a team full of goals.

1403: RICHARLISON LOVES A BIG GOAL (2-1)

1401: GOAL REPLAYS

• Benteke makes it 1-1:

• Richarlison's moment of quality - 2-1:

1357: PALACE SUB (2-1)

Max Meyer replaces James McCarthy. Zaha switches flanks. They still have 20+ minutes to get back into this.

1353: NOW GUAITA! (2-1)

Anything you can do...

After a stunning stop from Pickford, Guaita pulls off a huge save at the other end. Gylfi Sigurdsson somehow comes through a crowded box with great feet, looking to dink it over the Spanish goalkeeper who gets a brilliant hand to it. After his error last weekend, there is a reminder of what he is capable of.

And breathe...

1351: WHAT A SAVE! (2-1)

It's developing into quite a watch now - my hands are aching from typing so fast! Palace nearly draw level instantly as Benteke heads from point-blank range and Pickford shows great reactions to get something behind it. Gareth Southgate is watching on in the stands.

1348: GOAL! Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace (Richarlison)

Hodgson will not believe his luck. It has been all Palace in this second half and they looked like scoring.

Everton counter, Calvert-Lewin finds Richarlison just past the halfway line and the Brazilian is one v one, running at Gary Cahill.

The former Chelsea and England defender fails to show him down the left, Richarlison comes inside and provides a classy finish into the far corner, showing just why Barcelona tried to sign him for £80m in January.

At least that is a 3/1 winner for us! Did you back BTTS in the second half?

1347: POST! (1-1)

Panic stations for the hosts as a Palace corner is missed by Richarlison at the front post and deflects off Benteke and into the post with Pickford flapping. Wow!

1346: CELEBRATION SHOT

1342: BETTING INSIGHT (1-1)

Wilfried Zaha can blow hot and cold but he is well up for this one. Everything good from Palace is coming through him - he set up Benteke for the goal.

The Ivorian is a tempting 10/1 to score anytime - he does need to add goals to his armoury and the way he is playing it would be no surprise here with Palace on the front foot. The Everton crowd are getting anxious.

1340: GOAL! Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace (Benteke)

Palace pressure pays off. Everton have showed that vulnerability and they are punished. Zaha slides it through to Benteke on the right, he enters the box while running away from goal slightly and shoots low at Pickford. It goes under the England goalkeeper and he really should be doing better.

Benteke, the former Liverpool striker back on Merseyside, ends a 1,000+ minute wait for a Premier League goal. Relief!

1336: HEART IN MOUTH STUFF FOR EVERTON (0-1)

Zaha was free at the far post, he mishit his shot which still went goal-bound, Mina attempted an overhead clearance, failed and Pickford flapped. A huge let-off for the hosts.

Palace should sense that vulnerability and punish them. A good little spell for the visitors in the early stages of the second half.

They could well get a goal and that may well make Everton shift up the gears - so BTTS in the second half at 3/1 could be worth considering.

1334: SECOND HALF

Here we go. No changes from either side. Can Palace get back into this one? Stick with us to find out!

1332: SKY BET EFL SCORE UPDATE

Championship

• Wigan 0-1 Preston
• Barnsley 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday

1330: SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

A bit of half-time reading for you...

• Sporting Life Accumulator
• Sky Bet EFL weekend preview
• Dale Tempest: Counting cards
• Super 6: Thommo's Scorelines
• Brighton v Watford
• Sunday's Premier League tips
• Saturday's Bets of the Day

1324: SKY BET PRICE BOOSTS

• Richarlison to score the 2nd goal - 7/1
• Bernard to score a brace - 8/1
• Seamus Coleman to be carded - 5/1
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score a header - 13/2
• Everton to win 3-0 - 15/2

Check out Sky Bet's in-play odds here

1318: HALF-TIME - Everton 1-0 Crystal Palace

Bernard's strike gives the hosts the lead at the break. Not loads of chances to speak of but promising signs for Palace to be able to get back into this one. All to play for in the second half.

1316: BETTER FROM PALACE

Nice play, again with Zaha in the thick of it. Benteke does well to keep it alive and Van Aanholt shows from the edge of the box how one-footed he is, slicing one well wide with the right.

Positives for the visitors to take into the second half. They will be delighted to see Schneiderlin and Mina having words, the former furious with the latter for something, possibly his way of dealing with Zaha so far.

1313: ZAHA MENACING (1-0)

A pause in play after Cahill hurts Calvert-Lewin in a challenge. A bit of push and shoving. It came as Palace claimed for a penalty after Zaha made a dangerous run, Pickford came out well to scramble to the ball, Everton fail to clear and Zaha hassles for the ball again, going down in a challenge with Coleman.

VAR takes a look but no penalty.

1308: PALACE PRESSURE (1-0)

Palace are probing, Ayew crossing for Benteke but Everton so far dealing with it well and keeping the big Belgian quiet. He did just tee up McArthur who flashes an effort wide.

Five plus stoppage time until the break.

1305: OH WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN (1-0)

Wilfried Zaha was reportedly close to a £55million move to Everton the summer and were linked with the Ivorian forward again in January.

Nothing came of it but Everton did loan them Cenk Tosun - keeping them sweet?

It would be no surprise to see Zaha leave this summer. Today is his 350th Palace appearance.

1304: ACTION SHOTS (1-0)

1258: MORE ON SIDIBE 🧦 (1-0)

So the reason the defender went back down the tunnel, according to BT Sport, is because he was without a left sock. Fail to prepare etc...

1257: REPLAY - BERNARD'S GOAL (1-0)

1253: EVERTON SUB (1-0)

Unfortunate for Theo Walcott who, after his winner last week and a brilliant cross for Bernard's opener, picks up an ankle injury.

He is replaced by Djibril Sidibe who, just before coming on, has to dash back down to the tunnel for something. A nervous pee?

Ancelotti is not happy.

1248: GOAL! Everton 1-0 Crystal Palace (Bernard)

The Brazilian marks his 50th Premier League appearance with a goal - his third of the season. The hosts pack the box and it was a sweet volley by Bernard, Guaita had no chance. A challenge for Palace to stay in this now.

The game needed a goal after that scrappy start.

1244: POST! (0-0)

Palace have the best chance of the game as Patrick van Aanhol gets it inside the right of the box and his left-footed effort, with the help of a slightly deflection, beats Pickford but rattles the woodwork.

1239: FIRST BOOKING (0-0)

Former Everton man James McCarthy goes into the book early on after a sliding challenge on Digne. His studs were up and he went flying in, but a VAR review agrees with the decision to make it a yellow and nothing more.

The resulting free-kick sees Yerry Mina the target man and he cannot get enough on it. The Colombian defender scored twice against Watford last weekend. Very annoying for myself as I tipped him to score anytime just a week earlier at 16/1 v Newcastle.

1237: SUBDUED ATMOSPHERE (0-0)

As the game finds its feet at Goodison, the crowd are still finding their voices. Little else to report just yet - here are the latest in-play odds:

• Everton - 4/6
• Draw - 9/4
• Palace - 9/2

Check out more in-play odds here

1232: FIRST SAVE FOR GUAITA (0-0)

Everton are awarded a free-kick from around 30 yards and Lucas Digne strikes a low, bouncing shot that swerves a little past the wall but Spanish goalkeeper Guaita, looking to bounce back after that rare clanger, got a strong hand to it.

1230: KICK-OFF!

Here we go at Goodison! Let's see if Everton can continue their impressive recent run since the departure of Marco Silva, or whether Palace can get their first win of 2020 to ease relegation fears. Stick with us to find out.

A reminder of the teams:

• Everton starting XI: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne, Schneiderlin, Walcott, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
• Crystal Palace starting XI: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Van Aanholt, Ayew, McCarthy, Milivojevic, McArthur, Zaha, Benteke.

1227: HERE COME THE TEAMS

Kick-off is just moments away! A banner in the stands at Goodison reads 'Fantastico Carlo'.

1227: PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Roy Hodgson will not be dwelling on the below too much, with the trip to Everton an interesting one for them and there is no reason why they cannot return from Merseyside with at least a point.

Their opponents, with Carlo Ancelotti now at the helm, have lost just once in the 10 games since Marco Silva's departure, but it was close last weekend after coming from behind to win at Watford in style.

They drew the two games before that and have failed to win 50% of their home games this season - interesting when they face a Palace side that performs well away from home.

The Eagles are the ninth best side on the road, with three wins and five draws from 12. Hodgson knows how to set them up well against the bigger teams, with draws at Arsenal and Man City and a win at Man United.

Goals have been a problem and Tosun will be a miss but their injury list is easing. Hodgson's men can frustrate the hosts and grind out a result against an Everton side that still has its faults and defensive lapses.

A draw is the preferred result but the 13/10 on a +1 handicap for Palace is the more appealing option.

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace (Sky Bet odds: 6/1)

Best bet: Crystal Palace +1 handicap at 11/10

1225: PRESSURE ON ROY

t has been a frustrating start to 2020 for Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace.

The Eagles were knocked out of the FA Cup by lower league opposition in Derby at Selhurst Park and they are yet to win in the Premier League.

They made just one January signing in Cenk Tosun - on loan from Everton and ineligible here - much to the frustration of Hodgson, with links to Norwich's Jamal Lewis, Ashley Young and Kyle Walker-Peters failing to materialise. Then a late move for West Brom full-back Nathan Ferguson fell through due to complications with his medical.

Hodgson has been left with a lopsided squad and he said after Deadline Day: "I think we know as a football club we need to make more inroads into improving our squad and rejuvenating our squad and bringing in fresh faces.

"An awful lot of the faces I work with every day, they were here when I came to the club and I inherited them. Everyone is on the same page as far as that is concerned.

"Now Steve Parish, Doug Freedman and the American owners, they are going to have to do a lot of thinking, alongside myself and the coaching staff, about what the best way forward is in the next transfer window and what we are going to be able to do to ensure this team gets stronger."

Given Hodgson has spoken about the desire for more forward options and full-backs since the summer, the club's transfer activity in January has left many fans deflated and those comments from Hodgson raised inevitable questions about his future.

The 72-year-old's odds to be the next Premier League manager to leave have shortened to 3/1 with Sky Bet (join-favourite) and, with his contract expiring in the summer, it would be no surprise to see him leave Selhurst then.

1221: PALACE MILESTONES

1219: OPTA STATS

• Everton are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace (W4 D6), keeping a clean sheet in each of the last three.
• Four of Crystal Palace’s five Premier League wins against Everton have been at Goodison Park (80%), though their last win there was in September 2014. At no side have they won more Premier League away games as they have against the Toffees (also 4 vs Leicester).
• After losing eight of their last 11 Premier League games under Marco Silva (W2 D1), Everton have lost just one of their last 10 under Duncan Ferguson/Carlo Ancelotti (W5 D4). Indeed, only Liverpool (30) have won more points over their last 10 Premier League games than Everton (19).
• Crystal Palace have won just one of their last 10 Premier League games (D6 L3), with the Eagles winless in six since beating West Ham in December (D4 L2).
• Crystal Palace are without a clean sheet in nine Premier League games, the longest current run in the competition. However, the Eagles have only conceded more than once in two of those nine games.
• Everton have scored a league-high 61% of their Premier League goals in the first half of games this season (19/31). Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have scored the lowest ratio before half-time (23%), with just five of their 22 goals coming in the opening 45 minutes.
• Crystal Palace have had fewer shots on target than any other Premier League side this season (77). Their rate of 3.1 shots on target per game is the Eagles’ lowest in a single campaign in the competition that we have on record (since 1997-98).
• The average age of Crystal Palace’s starting XI in the Premier League this season is 29y 230d, the oldest in the competition in 2019-20. The Eagles are the only side yet to start a player under the age of 23 this term, with Jairo Riedewald their youngest starter (23y 98d).
• Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the highest Premier League goalscorer this season among players who haven’t provided a single assist so far (10).
• Theo Walcott 90th minute winner in Everton’s last game against Watford was his first goal in 18 Premier League games this season – he last scored in consecutive league games in August 2018.

1213: TEAM NEWS

Everton make four changes from their late victory at Watford, with Djibril Sidibe, Mason Holgate and Alex Iwobi dropping to the bench while Fabian Delph is suspended after his red card. In come Seamus Coleman and Michael Keane in defence, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Bernard restored in midfield.

Palace are unchanged from their Selhurst Park defeat to Sheffield United last week, which came from an unfortunate clanger from goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. Uncharacteristic, of course, as he has been impressive between the sticks this term.

• Everton starting XI: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne, Schneiderlin, Walcott, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
  Subs: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Baines, Sidibe, Davies, Iwobi, Kean.
• Crystal Palace starting XI: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Van Aanholt, Ayew, McCarthy, Milivojevic, McArthur, Zaha, Benteke.
  Subs: Hennessey, Dann, Mitchell, Riedewald, Kouyate, Meyer, Townsend.

1210: GOOD AFTERNOON 👋

Hello! Happy Saturday and welcome to our live blog.

Thanks for joining us for coverage of the early Premier League kick-off between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park. Do join us from 1700 GMT this evening for Brighton v Watford at the Amex.

The mid-season break means we have just four games taking place in the top flight this weekend, but fear not. They all involve teams fighting for something and hopefully we are in for a cracker.

Check out our tips for Everton v Palace here.

I am George Pitts, here to provide you with updates from the clash, quirky facts and stats and the odd in-play tip.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the action. Without further ado, let's get onto the team news...

Odds via Sky Bet and correct at time of publication on 08/02/20

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