Silva secures a hat-trick of wins with Pickford save and timely substitutions

With the help of his star goalkeeper, Marco Silva engineered victory when it seemed as though Everton were destined to be shut out by a typically obstinate Crystal Palace

Lyndon Lloyd 21/10/2018 15comments  |  Jump to last

Sometimes you just need to find a way of winning when you’ve been in the driving seat but things just aren’t clicking where they need to be. It can be the measure of good teams and good managers and today Everton and Marco Silva engineered victory when it seemed as though they were destined to be shut out by a typically obstinate Crystal Palace side.

Last season’s 3-1 win over the Eagles at Goodison Park was an unusually routine affair; recent years have been marked by frustrating encounters against Palace, starting with that crushing 3-2 defeat in Roberto Martinez’s first season that effectively ended the Blues’ Champions League hopes. It was the same scoreline the following campaign despite Romelu Lukaku getting the home side off to an early lead and the following two seasons featured annoying 1-1 draws.

Another point looked to be on the cards this afternoon until all three of Silva’s substitutes weighed in to win this game with a thrilling conclusion. Fortune favoured the brave, indeed, because on an afternoon when little came off for Bernard, Theo Walcott had one of those inexplicable bouts of ineffectiveness and Richarlison was often guilty of over-elaboration or a stubborn refusal to give up the ball, it needed something different to pick the lock to the visitors’ defence.

Pleasingly, both for the individuals concerned and what it says about the depth of options open to Silva now that his injury problems have eased, the heroes of the 11th hour were three players who have a fair bit to prove under the new regime. Ademola Lookman supplied the deft cross for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to steer a header past Wayne Hennessey and Cenk Tosun, forced back to the bench for the last two games, rapped home the killer second goal, all within the space of less than two of the dying minutes.

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Of course, it’s unlikely that we Blues would be toasting a third Premier League win in succession were it not for Jordan Pickford. The England international pulled off a brilliant stretching save in the first half to deny Cheikhou Kouyaté as Everton almost buckled from another set-piece and then made a superb stop with his trailing foot to prevent Luka Milivojevic from putting Palace ahead from the spot with an hour gone.

The penalty save proved to be the turning point of what was at times a scrappy and testy affair, punctured incessantly by referee Anthony Taylor’s whistle. It was also the moment that ignited a Goodison atmosphere that had become patient but tempered by some anxiety that Everton weren’t going to find a way through on this particular afternoon.

After all, in addition to Palace’s reputation as playing the spoiler at Goodison and the recent stumbles against Huddersfield and West Ham, Everton had a miserable record in Sunday televised matches coming into the weekend and there was the rather curious statistic that the last time they had won without Tom Davies playing was December 2016… and the 20-year-old midfielder wasn’t in today’s starting XI.

That was because André Gomes was handed his long-awaited home debut, 10 long weeks after he signed on a season-long loan from Barcelona. Finally deemed fit after picking up a hamstring injury on the Spanish club’s pre-season tour in America, the Portuguese international lined up alongside Idrissa Gueye in a partnership that immediately looks like it will be the way forward for Silva this season if both can stay healthy.

Despite not having played competitive football for months or ever featured in the Premier League before, Gomes slotted into midfield like he had been playing there for years. A little cautious at times, perhaps — understandably so against difficult opposition who don’t give you time on the ball — but the 25-year-old epitomised tidiness and composure, always looking to move the ball and the team forward when possible while also mopping up in a defensive capacity when needed.

Again, a fit-again Gomes offers the manager options, just as he has a few in attacking areas, particularly when things just aren’t happening for certain players. Bernard was electric at Leicester last time out but in this, his second Premier League start, he struggled to find his feet… quite literally at times as he slipped on a couple of occasions on the wet Goodison Park turf.

That’s not to say he wasn’t without threat but in his better moments he probably should have taken a shot just three minutes but elected to defer to a team-mate and laid it square, while in the second half he got clear down the left flank but didn’t centre it for Walcott who was storming in on goal begging for the pass.

His compatriot, Richarlison, meanwhile, didn’t have the same goalscoring impact as he did at the King Power Stadium but he played an important role as the focus of the attack, even if he still needs to learn when to bring others into the game on a more consistent basis rather than run into blind alleys when team-mates are in support. A 13th minute opportunity created by Gueye smartly robbing Milivojevic in the centre circle was a case in point — Richarlison tried to go it alone and was closed out by a clutch of yellow shirts.

He would go close at the end of the first half with a header off a corner, however, which, when added to Seamus Coleman’s rising drive in the 10th minute and a Gylfi Sigurdsson shot that narrowly missed just before half time, was one of few clear chances that Everton created in a first half that ended up being a lot more even than they would have liked.

Indeed, Palace grew into the contest as the first period wore on and, were it not for James Tomkins planting a free header wide from Andros Townsend’s flighted cross and Pickford’s efforts to push Milivojevic’s free kick wide and then deny Kouyate so expertly from the resulting corner, Roy Hodgson’s men might have gone into the break a goal up.

Just as they were against Fulham in their last home fixture, Everton were better in the second half. Unlike the win over the Cottagers, it just took longer to make the breakthrough, and this time they needed some help from Pickford to keep things level at 0-0.

Wilfried Zaha, passed fit despite pulling out of Ivory Coast’s second Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the week because of a groin strain, had been a constant thorn in Everton’s side and the home crowd had already tired of his endless moaning at the officials by the time he went down in the area under the attentions of Coleman with an hour played.

Citing contact made by the Irishman on the Palace winger’s leg as he cut the ball back to go around him, referee Taylor pointed to the spot and Goodison held its collective breath while Pickford analysed Milivojevic’s run-up. The ‘keeper dived to his left but was alive to the possibility that the Australian international might go down the middle and he made an excellent save with his foot, diverting the ball up and to the side where Michael Keane headed safely behind.

That spurred Everton into action and Walcott was handed a great chance to break the deadlock at the other end when Gomes fed Sigurdsson with a neat pass and the Icelander split the defence with an equally well-weighted ball. Walcott shot too close to Hennessey, however, and the ‘keeper saved with his legs.

Gomes himself saw a low curling shot skid past the post and Sigurdsson had another effort deflected behind but, despite a succession of corners, those few chances, and a clear pull on Richarlison in the Palace area that went unpunished, the scoreline remained at 0-0.

Sensing the need for an impactful last throw of the dice, Silva, having already replaced Bernard with Tosun, made a double change with 10 minutes to go, taking Walcott and Gomes off and throwing on Calvert-Lewin and Lookman. And, seven minutes later, the latter two combined to put Everton ahead.

Keane, who was excellent throughout, had stayed up following a free kick on the right, rose to nod forward a high clearance, Richarlison laid it off to Lookman and the young winger paused before clipping a beautiful ball to the six-yard box where Calvert-Lewin had time to pick his spot and head home to the delight of the Goodison faithful.

Palace went in search of an immediate equaliser and Hodgson was readying Conor Wickham to come on to bolster that effort when the Eagles were caught on the break-away. Sigurdsson helped deflect Geoff Schlupp’s attempted pad outside the Blues’ box, Keane swept the ball into the opposition half and Tosun took off past Mamadou Sakho towards goal. Two touches later, he slammed it through Hennessey’s legs before sprinting away to knee-slide in celebration of his second goal of the season.

That set the seal on what was a massive finale in the context of a home win that takes on extra importance given the upcoming run of away games against “big six” teams. The performance was a bit of a grind at times, not helped by the stop-start nature of the contest, particularly in the first half, and the two starting wingers and Coleman in particular might look back on an erratic day at the office but it’s important to believe that the sharpness and potency will come from greater familiarity and with the progression of the season.

Gomes’s Premier League baptism was a hugely encouraging one, as were the performances of Keane, Kurt Zouma and Lucas Digne at the back as they restricted Palace to few real chances of note from open play.

Three wins in succession and a move back into the top ten has Silva’s side well placed as they prepare for the trip to Old Trafford next weekend. It’s difficult matches like those that will show just how far Everton could conceivably go this season so early in the new manager’s tenure but the future looks very bright.

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Reader Comments (15)

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Mark Wynne
1 Posted 22/10/2018 at 07:01:41
Cracking write-up, as usual, Lyndon – thank you!

I found the referee frustrating. Early on a run from Richarlison should have at least earned a free kick and conceivably could have seen a Palace player sent for an early bath, while later in the second half, Everton could and should have got a penalty, but hauling someone down by their shoulders doesn't seem to offer the same burden of proof as Zaha's “trip”.

Zaha and also Hodgson to some degree have been appealing for “protection” from referees in much the same way as Mourinho did with Hazard some years back. The result, if not actual positive reaction from officials, only serves to create a narrative that must influence them when the lad is constantly throwing himself to the ground.

In any case, I'm really pleased for the lads – a great performance all round, a fantastic pen save, inspired substitutions and a great confidence builder for Tosun, Lookman and Calvert-Lewin.

Jason Leung
2 Posted 22/10/2018 at 07:59:47
I'm not exactly sure how this protection thing works. So long as it is not a yellow card worthy foul, refs can't stop players fouling a player. With his trickery and quick feet, it's only inevitable he will get fouled. But a ref can't book a player for fouling him because he is a tricky player right? Unless, of course, it's a bad foul. I don't get it.

Anyway, a great match, plenty of positives to take out of it and it's so refreshing to see Silva go for the win. It was also awesome listening to the crowd come to life after the penalty save, they just went nuts. Great game, great win!

COYB!!

Jim Bennings
3 Posted 22/10/2018 at 08:23:37
That win yesterday can't be underestimated.

Given Palace's record on Merseyside over the years, beating them was a big hurdle, I always feel it's our toughest home game outside the top six and more so when the game is controlled by a tool for a referee.

It's pleasing to see under Silva how hard we work even when our game is not working and the passing is wayward which at times yesterday it was.

We close down better under Silva than I have seen under recent managers and the players really seem to have bought in to the managers ideas.

Next week will be a real test however at Old Trafford despite Man Utd's turmoil with The Special Annoying One.

It would be great to get out of that with a point at least and we really would start making a few people sit up and start seeing a progressive Everton side.

Mike Keating
4 Posted 22/10/2018 at 10:27:11
An honest review, Lyndon. I agree that Keane is improving and thought he played well – I'm really pleased for him after all the flack he's been getting (same goes for Tosun). Zouma played pretty well too, so I'm beginning to wonder where Mina will fit in.
Dermot O'Brien
5 Posted 22/10/2018 at 10:47:52
I think this was a hugely important win. The points and the momentum are great, but psychologically it was massive. To keep chipping away at our opponents, to keep playing "our way", and going for the win in the last 10 minutes especially, paid dividends. It shows the players that, if we never give up, we can get the rewards.
Anton Walsh
6 Posted 22/10/2018 at 10:50:31
The problem is keeping everyone happy. I've always believed Everton are better with a team that picks itself. Of course, that team must be full of good players, like in the mid '80s and 2005.

Typical that the centre-backs are clicking now Mina is waiting. The likes of Baines, Calvert-Lewin, Davies, and Kenny will be fine with less game time. Not so sure on Mina, Lookman, Bernard, and Tosun. Then we have Holgate and McCarthy who could both get games elsewhere. Better to have this headache than the reverse, though!

David Hallwood
7 Posted 22/10/2018 at 10:56:04
Brilliant piece as ever, Lyndon. Great win against an obstinate team. I thought we should've started quicker, I got slaughtered on the live forum for saying that but I stick by it. Yes, we were neat and tidy in possession early doors, but we were not doing enough to move a very well drilled 4-5-1 formation and were playing in front of them.

But main point is criticism of the young players. If Davies or Calvert-Lewin had put in a performance like Bernard, they would've been slaughtered on social media; but because it's one of the Brazilians-not a peep.

BTW this is how it should be. It wasn't a good day at the office for Bernard, but he's still a great player and I'm glad he's in blue. But I was talking to two season ticket holders and both of them said they hated (their words) Davies and Calvert-Lewin.

What chance have our young guns get when they're under such hostile scrutiny. Every misplaced pass, "Told ya", every goal not converted "Fuckin useless".

Evertonians really need to wind their collective necks in and support our youngsters; I was doubly delighted at the impact Calvert-Lewin and Lookman subs.

Slightly off piste topic but the conversation I had with the 2 Evertonians really pissed me off, as I pointed out to them, Stuart Pearce was talking about Kane & Maguire who he had when he was the Under-21 coach, and he admitted that he though both of them would end up in the Championship at best. Just goes to show.

We've got two unpolished diamonds, yes they're inconsistent, sometimes infuriatingly so, but be like Bernard when it isn't working ffs cut them some slack.


Tony Everan
8 Posted 22/10/2018 at 11:43:57
Thanks, Lyndon, great write up. I agree, the forthcoming games against the top six have now taken on a different dimension. Are we serious top 6 contenders?

You can't knock Calvert-Lewin and Tosun for their finishing yesterday. We will create chances and the finishing will need to be top class to move upwards to the top 6. Either can still prove that they are what we need as a striker.

Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool away from home are great challenges; if we take our chances, we can get something out of all of those games.

Jerome Shields
9 Posted 22/10/2018 at 15:51:39
Keane has definitely improved a lot playing along side Zouma and Digne; he is beginning now to look the player worth the transfer value. His pass down the channel to Tosun was excellent.
John Pierce
10 Posted 22/10/2018 at 16:44:49
Keane’s improvement is imo largely down to a settled set of players around him. Last league five games until yesterday the back 4 unchanged.

He now understands his role and is adjusting to what his partners strengths and weaknesses are.

Remember last year he was the constant and his partner and defence changed almost weekly.

Minik Hansen
11 Posted 22/10/2018 at 17:17:03
David #7 I think it's just that Bernard is very new to us and this league. It would be a different story if he had been with us for months/years. I believe that we supporters believe he's still adjusting and inevitably will get better given a good run of games.

That said, I'm all in for supporting the young lads, they're stepping up slowly and rightly so. We've got players if there needs to be done something different along the way. Good times. COYB.

Lewis Barclay
12 Posted 22/10/2018 at 23:36:39
Great write up.

“... It’s difficult matches like those that will show just how far Everton could conceivably go this season .”

Let’s get to it.

Kase Chow
13 Posted 23/10/2018 at 00:29:45
Superb, Lyndon.

Also, just to reiterate it: fabulous to get another clean sheet.

We weren't getting them earlier in the season and they're so valuable...

Tony Everan
14 Posted 23/10/2018 at 12:48:45
Yes Kase, the clean sheets are a tonic. Keane and Zouma work well together and look a very strong partnership.
Mark Vivian
15 Posted 24/10/2018 at 11:17:42
Superb write up yet again.

Like many have said, it's sticking to our game and winning matches like these when things might not be going our way will be the true test of how far we can go this season. Lots of positives to take from Sunday.

I thought Gomes (considering it was his first game back in some time) looked very classy, partnered Gueye well, and allowed Idrissa to do what he does best, which is just scamper around being an absolute nuisance. Keane and Zouma look as if though they are starting to understand each other more and more, very promising signs. Yes, Bernard had a bad game, but we all know he has the quality and skill to carry on with his starting role.

I am delighted for Dominic & Cenk to both get on the scoresheet, just need to keep them firing! My only downside is Theo, I love him to bits but he just doesn't seem to have that cutting edge in the final third, it often takes him 3 chances to finish one. I would like to see Lookman have a run of games and see what he can do.

Pickford is just immense, oozes quality and confidence, and with him being the age he is, he will be an Everton legend there is no doubt.

Good to see us putting performances together now, fingers crossed we can do the Man Utd at their place and make a real statement. COYB!


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