Everton vs Crystal Palace - Five key takeaways as Everton end Crystal Palace’s unbeaten run

A last-minute goal from Everton’s Jack Grealish brought to an end the Eagles’ club-record winning run at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Iliman Ndiaye brought the Toffees level from the penalty spot after Daniel Munoz had given Palace a deserved lead going into the break. 

It was a game where Palace could have been out of sight, but Everton took full advantage of their profligacy in front of goal and remained unbeaten at their new home. 

Here, Sports News Blitz’s Jon Shea takes a look at the five key takeaways from Sunday’s match.

Awful first half

Everton’s first-half display was the worst it has been at home, and the worst since the defeat to Leeds on the opening weekend.

Crystal Palace were dominant in the opening period, carving through the midfield with ease, and scored a good goal to take the lead.

The confidence in Oliver Glasner’s side was oozing in the first half, and Everton struggled to get any kind of foothold in the game.  

Everton focused too much on the wide areas and were too one-dimensional, and Palace’s in-form defence dealt with the attacks comfortably.

David Moyes’ side were fortunate that it was only 1-0 at the break, as it could have been much more, which the Everton boss acknowledged in his media duties. 

A couple of excellent saves from Jordan Pickford kept his team in the match, which ultimately proved vital in the end.

READ MORE: Premier League news: Donyell Malen’s unstoppable mission to win sees Aston Villa beat Burnley

Subs changed the game

Subs were much needed in the second half, and Moyes made a double change with Charly Alcaraz and Beto for Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry, respectively.

Right from the second-half kick-off, Everton were much better, and Alcaraz was picking up some great pockets behind their midfield lines.

The Argentinian could have scored himself with a fierce effort, but Dean Henderson kept it out. 

Beto was much more threatening than Barry was in the first half, making a nuisance of himself with their defenders, who had an easy time in the opening period.

Both played a vital part in the winning goal, and Beto will probably be disappointed it wasn’t his name up in lights as his header was saved right before Jack Grealish’s late goal.

Everton were forced into another substitution as an injury to Michael Keane meant a re-shuffle in midfield and defence, and Tim Iroegbunam came on for the Englishman.

Iroegbunam was brilliant in midfield, getting about the pitch brilliantly, and it was his energy that led to Maxence Lacroix fouling him for the penalty. 

Ndiaye’s excellent penalty record

Iliman Ndiaye looks to be Everton’s first-choice penalty taker. The Senegalese international has scored all four of his penalties since signing for the club, with a technique similar to Ivan Toney as he waits for the keeper to move before slotting home. 

His penalty was brilliant as he sent Dean Henderson the wrong way, in a high-pressure moment, to bring Everton level, which gave the Toffees the onus to go for the winner.

His brilliant record means Everton supporters can breathe a bit easier when he steps up to the spot.  

Grealish front and centre 

Everton’s marquee signing, Jack Grealish, has made a huge impact on the side since signing on loan from Manchester City.

He tops the league table in assists and chances created and was a big threat in the second half against Palace.

He has clearly been instructed by David Moyes to take more shots, with a couple of efforts being saved by Dean Henderson.

However, it was the shot that he did not mean that decided the affairs. But he was in the right place to intercept Daniel Munoz’s clearance and find the roof of the net.

The Englishman sent a message to Thomas Tuchel after he left out the Everton winger for the upcoming internationals. 

His celebration was an excellent showing of happiness and love, as the look on his face as he slid in front of his parents was a sight to behold.

Furthermore, he showed his love for the Evertonians as he blew a kiss to the onlooking South Stand, as he shows how much the fans mean to him.  

“Don’t fall in love with a loan player,” they say. I’m afraid it may be too late for that. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and more left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad

Hill Dickinson atmosphere

The first half gave Everton supporters not much to sign or shout about, but in the second half, the crowd were right up for it as they sensed an opportunity. 

Everton fans are always the first to show their frustration at the injustice, and when David Moyes and James Garner were booked for an incident involving Yeremy Pino, the crowd were riled up.

The whistles and moans from the 50,000 Everton supporters were deafening, as loud as the stadium has been so far. 

A game that was largely comfortable for Crystal Palace was changed at that moment, and the players smelt it, and the crowd were right up for it, and the pendulum swung in Everton’s favour. 

The roar on the winning goal was unbelievable as the Hill Dickinson got its first taste of a last-minute winner at home, and it was a noise and a sight to behold.

READ NEXT: EFL analysis: Steve Bruce sacked, Wrexham draw, Ipswich win derby and more