Oliver Glasner Observes As Crystal Palace’s Quest For Victory Is Thwarted By A Late Leveller From Everton

Oliver Glasner Observes As Crystal Palace’s Quest For Victory Is Thwarted By A Late Leveller From Everton

Amadou Onana emerged from the substitutes’ bench to secure a late equalizer for Everton, salvaging a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in a Premier League encounter at Goodison Park on Monday night, all under the watchful eye of their new manager, Oliver Glasner.

The match unfolded just after Palace confirmed Roy Hodgson’s departure as manager, with Glasner swiftly appointed to lead the team on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Despite Glasner’s presence in the stands, Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington took charge of the Eagles for the game.

Palace managed to break the deadlock in the middle of the second half when Jordan Ayew unleashed a stunning long-range strike. However, their lead was short-lived as Onana rose to meet Dwight McNeil’s corner kick, nodding it home five minutes from the final whistle to secure a point for Everton.

The draw extends Palace’s winless streak in the league to three matches, maintaining their position in 16th place in the Premier League standings. They sit five points ahead of Everton, who have climbed out of the relegation zone to occupy 17th place, surpassing Luton Town, now in the bottom three.

For Everton, the notable team news ahead of the match was Abdoulaye Doucoure’s return to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. This resulted in Jack Harrison moving to the substitutes’ bench.

Meanwhile, Palace made changes with Sam Johnstone taking over the goalkeeping duties from Dean Henderson, Odsonne Edouard returning to the starting lineup for his first league game in two months, and Joel Ward coming back into the defense in place of Matheus Franca, who was replaced due to injury.

Glasner remained absent from the touchline and dressing room for Palace, but it was evident that the Eagles adopted a 3-4-3 formation, a system frequently employed during the Austrian’s tenure at former club Eintracht Frankfurt.

Both teams started cautiously, resulting in a tentative and occasionally scrappy beginning to the match. However, Palace appeared more composed in possession, testing Jordan Pickford’s reflexes for the first time in the 12th minute when Edouard unleashed a low-driven shot from a narrow angle.

Everton reacted positively, with Doucoure narrowly missing the target with a strike from the edge of the penalty area. Moments later, Calvert-Lewin failed to direct his header on target after connecting with McNeil’s inviting cross from the left flank.

Palace engineered a promising opportunity just past the half-hour mark, with Munoz setting up Lerma for a first-time shot inside the box. However, Lerma’s effort sailed over the crossbar as he struggled to maintain balance.

Ashley Young came to Everton’s rescue shortly after, clearing Mateta’s header off the line from a Palace corner.

The intensity heightened in the closing stages of the first half, but both teams lacked the necessary precision in the final third. Counter-attacks ensued, yet neither side managed to capitalize, frustrating the supporters at Goodison Park.

At the outset of the second half, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. However, Palace had a promising chance to take the lead in the 56th minute when Mateta threaded a pass to Mitchell on the left side of the penalty area. Nevertheless, Pickford swiftly closed down the angle, thwarting Mitchell’s attempted chip.

Subsequently, Everton threatened at the opposite end just after the hour mark. Johnstone parried Tarkowski’s header powerfully from a corner before denying Doucoure’s close-range effort at the back post.

Dyche introduced Onana and Harrison from the bench in search of a breakthrough. However, shortly after their arrival, Palace unexpectedly went ahead with Ayew’s splendid long-range strike in the 66th minute.