Everton 2 - 1 Crystal Palace

Everton are back at Goodison Park to host Crystal Palace in the first of two back-to-back home games that they hope will finally yield a first Premier League win of the season.

Jarrad Branthwaite is back in Everton's team after completing his very lengthy recovery from surgery on what was described initially as a 'minor' groin problem.

Sean Dyche is still without Nathan Patterson, Youseff Chemiti, and Arrnando Broja, but Idrissa Gana Gueye returns from a week of bereavement leave, mourning the death of his father in Senegal.

And as was widely expected, experience is preferred over the exuberance of youth at right-back with Ashley Young chosen again over Roman Dixon, who is not even named on the bench. 

The visitors kicked off in the autumn sunshine, and knocked the ball about, Pickford forced out of his area to clear. Branthwaite was almost caught out by Mateta as he tried to build an Everton attack. Young gave away an unnecessary free-kick that saw Nketiah almost win a corner off Tarkowski.

McNeil tried to drive forward but had the ball taken off his toes and Crystal Palace mounted an attack that required some stalwart defending before Ndiaye tried to break out with the ball but he was stalled. Matteta got behind the Everton line far too easily but the cross was cleared by Young. 

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Palace surged again, Eze about to strike before Doucoure pushed him off the ball for a very dangerous free-kick 25 yards out. This was drilled into the large wall, then driven wide by Wharton. But from the corner, Guehi snuck it in as the ball was recycled at the far post, for a very soft opening goal that admittedly they had threatened from the start. 

Kamada fouled Ndiaye and McNeil delivered his free-kick high and wide to Tarkowski, the clearance coming to Ndiaye who jinked and jived to win a free-kick. That one was headed by Tarkowski into Guehi for an Everton corner that was punched clear as Branthwaite was dragged down by Wharton; no penalty given.

Palace attacked again, Tarkoski making desperate clearances for the Blues under siege.  The Blues were really making a mess of going forward, gifting the ball to Palace again. Young tried to get it don the wing to Calvert-Lewin who lost out to Lerma.

Everton tried to build an attack but it was very fragmented, Mykolenko trying a long-range shot that Henderson gathered at the near post. McNeil delivered a beautiful ball for Calvert-Lewin but as usual he was the wrong side of the defender. The ball was recycled a couple of time from the ensuing corner with no end result and Young agains fouuled his man as Palace broke out.

Mangal got the ball to McNeil who put in a superb cross and this time Calvert-Lewin was properly positioned would surely convert from 2 yards out… but no, he jumped out of the way of the ball!   

Palace went up and won a corner that almost saw a repeat of the goal at the far post, A tremendous shot from Nketih was headed up high by Tarkowski and came down on the goalline amongst a group of players, Pickfrd flapping at it wildly before Tarkowski finally booted the loose ball away. Classic Keystone Cops, Everton all at sixes and sevens. 

Everton tried to break forward again but Palace seemed to want every ball just that little bit more. McNeil tried to play in Calvert-Lewin with a nice ball but he was half-asleep. 

Everton tried some possession play that eventually won a corner, Lindstrom to the far post, delivered well but headed clear. Calvert-Lewin won a throw but then gave the ball away for another Crystal Palace attack that was upfield in a flash. 

A better attack saw McNeil play in Mykolenko for a cross that looped over Calvert-Lewin 

Tarkowski appeared to catch Mateta just inside the Everton penalty area but the referee did not think it was a foul and was backed up by VAR. But a free-kick for Palace further out was almost met by Lacroix at the far post, somehow missed.  

Palace again mounted a fearsome attack but Whaton fired it at Pickford. Eze was next but his shot was weak. Everton's possession lay was just too naive and simplistic as the sneaky Palace players used a number of dirty tricks to brush off the Everton players and recover the ball.

A hugely disappointing half with Everton comprehensively outplayed in virtually every area of the field, and a few muted boos on the half-time whistle. Simply not good enough from Everton and Dyche.

Harrison replaced the ineffective Lindstrom for the second half, a rash move by the normally conservative Sean Dyche. Harrison somehow won an early free-kick wide right, McNeil delivering it well but Guehi beat Calvert-Lewin to the ball.

But an absolute beauty of a curler from Dwight McNeil put Everton back into the game! 

Everton kept up the forward pressure, recirculating the ball around the Palace area with a lot more desire. Ndiaye got a chance to break from the half-way line and fed McNeil but his gift set-up to Calvert-Lewin saw the forward facing the wrong way and stumbling over the ball. 

A deep free-kick from Pickford was controlled brilliantly and crossed by Harrison to Dwight McNeil wide of the far post and he just controlled it beautifully before driving it home from a narrow angle for his second goal in less than 10 minutes! 

It had been all Everton since the break and they had their reward as Nketiah cynically held Mangala, but nothing came of the free-kick. Palace countered but Everton seemed to stop them and revere the flow much more easily, and MccNeil almost released Calvert-Lewin but his quick ball was a yard short. 

Palace looked to regroup around the hour mark, Munoz winning a corner off Ndiaye. Mykolenko gave away a soft free-kick but Pickford came off his line to gather the ball. But Everton seemed to have stopped snapping at the ball and Palace were getting a lot more time and possession again.  

Young and Calvert-Lewin combined well to won a corner that McNeil delivered to the far post but Calvert-Lewin caught it off the side of his head and missed the target. 

At the other end, Branthwaite did well against Mateta. Calvert-Lewin looked to release Harrison down the wing but Lacroix was across at pace. Doucoure foued Nketiah but Branthwaite headed the free-kick clear.

Ndiaye was too easily knocked off the ball and Palace were quickly up the wing, a cross to Mateta defended by Branthwaite. The Palace corner was cleared and Calvert-Lewin had a good footrace with Guehi.

Calvert-Lewin found himself driving down the channel but with no-one to cross to. Young fought off Lerma to cross but too deep for Calvert-Lewin. Ndiaye and McNeil tried to get forward down the left but messed it up and Palace got back into the Everton area, Mateta unable to profit from a good ball played back to him. 

Lerma put in a superb cross but Branthwaite was perfectly positioned to head it clear although it came to Eze and his shot needed the block by Tarkowski. But each Palace attack seemed to increasingly carry the threat they had in the first half.

Calvert-Lewin fed Doucoure for a breakaway although he looked offside as his treacle-deep run slowed to a pathetic stumble. Palace attacked again, winning a corner that was headed behind.

Calvert-Lewin stupidly kicked the ball away at a Palace free-kick for the first yellow card of the game.  But a decent Everton attack saw numerous circulations of the ball that eventually won a corner as they searched for that third goal. But Ndiaye's delivery was very poor.

That allowed Palace to venture out of the headlock they had been in, Branthwaite having to put it behind for a corner, delivered well but defended well; rinse and repeat for a second Palace corner as the final minutes ticked away, with 4 minutes added on — could Everton hang on to a precious win?

Another forward move by Palace saw Brantwaite forcing the ball behind for a goal-kick.  Garner was sucked into a silly foul on Guehi and Henderson came forward but could only head it behind and the Blues clung on for a very important 3 points.

Everton: Pickford [Y:90+3'], Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Mangala (83' Garner), Lindstrøm (46' Harrison), McNeil (83' Gana), Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin [Y:84'].

Subs: Virginia, Keane, Beto, O’Brien, Iroegbunam, Armstrong.

Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Lacroix, Guehi, Lerma, Mitchell, Wharton (88' Hughes), Kamada (62' Sarr), Eze, Nketiah (&3' Schlupp), Mateta.

Subs: Turner, Ward, Clyne, Chalobah, Umeh, Agbinone.

Referee: Andy Madley
VAR: Graham Scott

Attendance: 38,954

Reader Comments (47)

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Christy Ring
1 Posted 28/09/2024 at 13:57:16
So Young marking Eze, and Dixon doesn't even make the bench, great to see Branthwaite back.
Michael Kenrick
2 Posted 28/09/2024 at 14:08:42
Can't have these young bucks getting too big for their boots.

He obviously needed knocking back a peg or two.

Bill Gall
3 Posted 28/09/2024 at 14:11:28
Decent team with a good bench.I will understand the comments that will be made about Young but we don't see what goes on at training, and it easy to be an armchair manager, but I believe that Dyche now knows that when the takeover is complete his position will be more precarious than it all ready is and is hoping experience will help him out.
Alan J Thompson
4 Posted 28/09/2024 at 14:22:19
Has this team been selected in case Young or Mykolenko go down injured early in the game? Dixon must be glad he hasn't turned in any really bad performances and Armstrong that he has barely had any at all. Still, look on the bright side, we shouldn't see two keepers injured.

In the manager's defence, I suppose there aren't that many variations or hats from which to take rabbits but one day we might all be surprised and see Beto start alongside DC-L if for no other reason than to see if the opposition play more men back than forward.

Simon Harrison
5 Posted 28/09/2024 at 14:45:32
Michael K,

In fairness to Dyche, with regards Roman Dixon, iirc, didn't he have one of his thighs heavily strapped in the game against Soton?

He may well have aggravated what might have been purely a niggle at the time. Again, thinking back on the game he was fairly 'exuberant' on the night?

As you say, the defence is pretty much the same as last year now; the difference being that Young is the only player w/o carrying the after effects from an injury or illness, and is Tarks still carrying that back 'niggle' he's been struggling with this season thus far?

The positives are what is in front of the defence. Lindstrøm maintains his place, when it was thought that Jack H might have come back in.

My one concern with Lindstrøm, is that he isn't a RWF, as Napoli found out. He excelled in the 8-10 position with two 'holding' midfielders at Frankfurt, and was one of their standout players in EF's European campaign two seasons ago.

All else is as expected I guess, going on this season thus far.

The Doucs-Mangala MF axis may well develop nicely, while Tim develops his CV engine.

COYB!!!

Simon Harrison
6 Posted 28/09/2024 at 14:48:18
Alan J T [4]

To be fair, if Myko goes down, I guess Young goes LB and Garner will go RB.

If Young goes down, then a straight swap for Garner.

Failing that, again, O'Brien showed he can play RB, as he did against Soton for a long period of his time on the pitch, and he acquitted himself pretty well there.

Si Cooper
7 Posted 28/09/2024 at 15:13:02
So the plan includes relying on the tried and tested rather than a cheeky ‘gamble’ here and there.
If it also includes hoping they all last 80 minutes or more then I will never understand the guy.
Let’s now see what unfolds.
UTFT!
Andy Mead
8 Posted 28/09/2024 at 15:34:18
When you continually punt the ball to nobody this is what you get. Pickford pisses me off. Palace have had the ball from the ko. Every time we get it, we kick it away to nobody.
Dyche out
George Cumiskey
9 Posted 28/09/2024 at 15:53:24
We've got no press whatsoever they press high and won't let us out of our half, shocking management
Alan J Thompson
10 Posted 28/09/2024 at 15:53:40
That was a rather disjointed effort as we seem to have few players moving with intent or offering alternatives or support. On a few occasions we'd have two players moving forward toward the edge of their penalty box and there would be a misdirected header or clearance and there was nobody in a blue shirt within 20 yards. There seemed little interchange in midfield and most seemed to come from Ndiaye making a run and at times we looked like we missed having a winger to spread their defence.

And then another soft goal, nobody seemed to be marking players or space. In the absence of a midfield general there has to be more movement and support/

Ernie Baywood
11 Posted 28/09/2024 at 15:54:44
I don't think we continually punt it. That would indicate some sort of plan, a playing strategy.

We mix up ineffective punting with ineffectively moving the ball to our ineffective full backs. Occasionally we go into an ineffective midfield.

I guess we'll see if something goes our way. It's about all we've got.

Michael Kenrick
12 Posted 28/09/2024 at 15:56:57
Just shocked at how easily we are being out-played all over the pitch. No guile, no real determination – except from Tarkowski, who appears to be almost back to 100% effectiveness with his young buddy alongside.

But with the sheer speed, creativity and variety of their counters, it's remarkable that we are not at least 3 goals down.

Mike Hayes
13 Posted 28/09/2024 at 16:55:30
3 points at home always do palace - well done lads- dizzy heights of 16th 😵‍💫💙
Robert Tressell
14 Posted 28/09/2024 at 16:58:11
Back in business.

Takeover, tick.

Branthwaite back, tick.

Well done Blues.

Alan J Thompson
15 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:00:47
That was a lot better half as we got players in support and Harrison out wide spread their defence but two crackers from McNeil and I have to mention that Dyche got his substitutions spot on.

My MotM, Branthwaite. The defence looked a lot more solid and his distribution was good and he made Tarkowski look a lot better than in previous games. And credit to Young, not my favourite player but he had a good game.
80k for Branthwaite seems at least 20% short and we need to up his wage and contract now.

Barry Rathbone
16 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:02:19
Good
Jimmy Carr
17 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:06:22
Well done Blues, much needed.
Colin Callaghan
18 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:07:43
Nothing like a good HT sub to help swing the game. Up to 15th.
Barry Williams
19 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:11:04
McNeil Brace - or 2 McNeil stunners?
Danny Baily
20 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:12:58
Win next week and that's called two in a row 🤣.
Ben King
21 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:15:54
What a CRAP headline for our 1st win of the season.

Sure it wasn’t pretty but we got the job done and a much needed 3 points

Dave Lynch
22 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:16:33
Don't mind telling you that I was ready for the off at half time, we where that poor.
Craig Walker
23 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:21:45
Is that the first time we’ve come from behind to win, under Dyche? I can’t remember another one.

Good win and fair play to Dyche for changing things. Hope we can push on a bit now. New owner. BMD. Things looking up.

Christy Ring
24 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:22:18
Great 2nd half performance, shocking first half. Branthwaite and Tarkowski together made a massive difference. I like McNeill in the 10 role, some complain about his pace, but has a terrific left foot. Can enjoy a glass of red later, onwards and upwards!
Neil Tyrrell
25 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:22:50
2 brilliant goals and a come from behind win, happy days. First half was dire but we got it done in the end. Onwards and upwards!!
Andy Crooks
26 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:25:57
Christy, don't wait till later!!
Had we lost there would be 200 posts already. Oh, I would be one of the most angry, by the way!!
Steve Brown
27 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:26:49
Big result to cap a good week.

Kunal Desai
28 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:30:04
Awful first half giving away another poor goal. Much improved second half. Credit to Dyche for making the right subs at the right time and good in game management.

Thanks for making my day Mr Dyche. UTFT. 3 further points please next week.

Tom Bowers
29 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:32:22
Who would have thunk it. After 4 games in a row scoring first without a win we go behind but get the first win. Well done Blues

Could easily have gone pear shaped if Palace had got a second and we couldn't have complained as they had most possession etc.etc. but goals count along with strong defence and we got it today at last.

Jonathan Oppenheimer
30 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:32:59
Credit to the boys. At halftime, all I could think is, aside from Ndiaye we are terrible and destined for a very difficult season. But we came out fighting 2nd half.

McNeill showing where he belongs because of his lack of pace, although possible Ndiaye is even better in that 10 role. Doucoure is almost impossible to watch these days and a wonder he’s starting over Tim and Garner. Lindstrom has potential but is too weak too often. Our fullbacks are average at best. Mandala had a decent game and scares me on the ball less than Gueye. We’re a solidly low mid-table team, right alongside Palace, unless DCL starts scoring lots of goals.

But it really is all about Branthwaite, isn’t it? He’s that important to our team. If our entire starting defense could stay healthy, we could make a run here and there. We’re just so dangerously thin in the back.

But forget all that. We got 3 points. UTFT!

Dave Cashen
31 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:39:14
Christy

You forgot to mention how good Young was

Sam Hoare
32 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:39:54
The knives were being sharpened for Dyche at half time and rightly so but for once he made some helpful substitutions and alterations and brought home a much needed win so credit to him and the players. We’ve some decent players in the likes of Branthwaite and Ndiaye and McNeill. No reason we can’t get more points over next run of games before a challenging December.
Jerome Shields
33 Posted 28/09/2024 at 17:58:53
The advantage of certainty at last.A very good win.Some good performances.McNeill will gain from his two goals going forward.Good performances from the New guys, Braithwaite included..Young professional .Was concerned after the first half, relief after the second.Dyche dragged himself through that one.Grateful for that.
Steve Brown
34 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:02:13
Well it just goes to show what I know.

At half time, I wanted an extra man In midfield, McNeil shifted out to the left, Young at left back, and would never consider bringing on Harrison.

Together with Branthwaite they were all excellent.

Dyche made all the right moves at half time and second period and he rightfully deserves praise.

Andy Crooks
35 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:09:53
Spot on Steve.
Rob Dolby
36 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:16:00
We struggled with their formation though I don't recall Pickford having much to do it anything. Branthwaite brings a calmness to the defence which has been missed all year.

Wharton looks like a player who will progress onto a bigger stage.

Lindstrom had a day to forget, after taking a kick he looked disinterested and needed to be subbed off at half time.

We concede a soft goal and looked dead going in at halftime. We struggle against teams who play 5 at the back.

A quality goal from McNeil changed the game. An unusual right footed cross from Harrison and neat finish turns the game on it's head.

Mangala looked good all game though if we play like that against better teams we will get a pasting.

McNeil my motm.

Tom Bowers
37 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:16:56
A win is a win and sometimes you can be outplayed and still get the points.
I really don't care how it comes as we were desperate to get something after an awful start to the season especially after the trauma of the Bournemouth game.

Make no mistake Everton are still a poor bunch, just as Alan Stubbs said, ''a ship without a rudder''

However, it's early days still and time to improve with players returning from injury.

Wins will be difficult to come by but if they can defend well they can get into a good position until such a time when they can get better finances, in order to get better players.

Dave Abrahams
38 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:41:37
We won and that will do me, plenty to moan about but fuck that it can wait for another day.

McNeil will deservedly get MOTM but mine would have been Ashley Young, did he put a foot wrong, not sure but he played plenty of good passes down the right hand side of the field in both halves of the game including one to McNeil for our first goal, he was calm throughout the game, yes he’ll have poor games because of his age, meantime let’s give some him some well earned praise when ho plays well, Malanga and Ndiaye also did well along with Branthwaite and Tarkowski with Harrison doing well when he came on at the start of the second half but best of all was that scoreline at the end of the game!

Christy Ring
39 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:44:48
Dave#31 I've no problem with Young, a good professional but I was worried about a near 40 year old marking Eze!
Jeff Armstrong
40 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:44:50
Fair play to Dyche he got the big decisions right today, Branthwaite back in, the lightweight Lindstom off at halftime, and fresh legs when required near the end, he’s had a lot of stick this season but today he got it right.
Annika Herbert
41 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:52:33
Finally a win! Not the greatest performance so far this season but the win is all that matters.

I disagree with comments about our full backs, but do agree Young isn’t the answer at right back. Despite a good game today.

Onwards and upwards from now on, at least we hope so.

Mike Hayes
42 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:57:02
A good three points and great to see McNeil get a brace and hats of to Young for laying the first one off - still a month way to go 4 points is poor but let’s see if we can go on an unbeaten run to make up for the poor start 💙
John Keating
43 Posted 28/09/2024 at 18:58:26
The only important thing was getting the 3 points regardless how we did it.
Thankfully we stepped it up second half but to be honest anything would have been an improvement on the first half

Dyche needs to have a word with Lindstrom. We were bad enough first half without having a totally disinterested player on the park.

Best player for me was Wharton of Palace.

Oliver Molloy
44 Posted 28/09/2024 at 19:01:41
Three much needed points in our quest to stay in the league.
Would we have won if had been Keane and Tarkowski?
Today's opponents just perfect for Branthwaite - he just slotted straight back in and he oozes calmness and confidence.

We need to improve much more but as many have already said, a win is a win.

Dave Cashen
45 Posted 28/09/2024 at 19:20:54
I know Young's inclusion makes people nervous - me too if I'm honest.

He's just too old to be consistently good. He will be occasionally exposed, but he has played key roles in some of our best performances. I so wish those who queue up to hammer him before a ball is kicked would have the decency to come out and congratulate him when he has played well.

Dave A

I guess if somebody gets two goals of that quality he is entitled to me MOTM. but I'm made up that you mentioned that for the second week running, Young was a contender.

Praise when it's due

Andy Crooks
46 Posted 28/09/2024 at 19:46:47
Dave A, really insightful comments. Young deserves credit. Dixon's time will come and let's hope he shows the professionalism that Young displays
Graham Mockford
47 Posted 28/09/2024 at 19:49:37
The prophets of doom a bit quieter tonight.
Let’s be honest we will do well to finish 12th this year with the lack of investment in the squad over the last five years.
Let’s hope new ownership can make a difference.
The good news is given the ever increasing disparity in financial firepower 30 points to stay up is more likely than the 40 it used to be.

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