Everton drop points at home again
Everton failed to close the gap on the top four after they conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 against Crystal Palace.
Michy Batshuayi placed a shot into the bottom corner in the 86th minute to cancel out James Rodriguez’s opener.
First half
The hosts were the dominant side in the first half with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in particular, guilty of missing gilt-edged chances.
Vicente Guaita was in fine form, keeping out Calvert-Lewin when the forward was played through by a raking pass by Mason Holgate.
Richarlison then headed over after great wing play by Seamus Coleman. The Brazilian was also denied by Guaita from close range after Andre Gomes dispossessed Jordan Ayew.
Second half
The Toffees went ahead when Seamus Coleman’s pull-back was swept home by Rodriguez.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side had the chances to put the game out of sight when Richarlison set up Calvert-Lewin but once again, Guaita blocked the shot.
Palace then grew into the game in the latter stages and punished Everton when Batshuayi came off the bench to slot home an equaliser.
What it means
Everton couldn’t take advantage of their rivals dropping points and remain eighth – five points off the top four with a game in hand. They have won just one of their last eight home games. Crystal Palace move on to 38 points and are in mid-table security.
Featured image: Michy Batshuayi of Crystal Palace (R) celebrates with teammates Cheikhou Kouyate, Wilfried Zaha and Patrick van Aanholt after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park. (Photo by Peter Powell – Pool/Getty Images)
