Charly Alcaraz scored a goal and assisted Beto for another as Everton extended their Premier League unbeaten ryn to five games with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
WATCH – Crystal Palace vs Everton full match replay
Beto struck first just before halftime but Jean-Philippe Mateta leveled the score after the break to set up a tense final frame that included Alcaraz’s 80th-minute winner.
Everton moved level on points with Palace, their 30 points just behind the 12th-place Eagles on a single goal in the differential column.
Everton thriving at the extremes of the pitch (and Jarrad Branthwaite is elite)
No one’s mistaking Everton for a world-beater, as the Toffees under David Moyes are getting solid efforts from all parts of the squad as well as a regression to the norm when it comes to bounces. What’s different about this team is that they are looking very strong at the extremes of the pitch. Carlos “Charly” Alcaraz was lively underneath Beto up top — and attackers in form have not been the norm for Everton aside from now-injured Iliman Ndiaye since Dwight McNeil was hurt in December. Similarly, Jarrad Branthwaite missed a lot of time at center back for the Toffees and now both he and James Tarkowski have found their groove. Branthwaite piled up 18 defensive actions and sent 10 passes into the six, and must be considered the best young Everton prospect since John Stones skipped town at the same age (22).
Crystal Palace vs Everton player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Everton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Everton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Everton host Manchester United at 7:30am ET Saturday, just before Palace’s 10am kickoff at Fulham.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Everton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30 pm ET Saturday (February 15)
Venue: Selhurst Park — London
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Crystal Palace vs Everton final score: 1-2
Beto 43', Jean-Philippe Mateta 47', Charly Alcaraz, 80'
Crystal Palace vs Everton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Charly Alcaraz goal — Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton (80th minute)
Jack Harrison sends a huge cross over a pack of players, and Jake O’Brien keeps it in play with a header.
Ashley Young’s shot is blocked by Will Hughes but Alcaraz snaps the rebound over the line.
Palace lively down the left
Substitute Ben Chilwell blazes down the left to meet a long pass, and he slashes a hopeful shot toward the far post.
It looks like it’s going wide but Pickford can’t risk that and dives to slap it out for a corner.
1-1, 72'.
Jean-Philippe Mateta goal — Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton (47th minute)
There’s a loooooong review before confirming that Mateta has restored level terms at Selhurst Park.
A pair of Everton defenders appear to keep Mateta on side as he bursts to get to Marc Guehi’s pass.
Palace subs
Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton enter for Justin Devenny and Jefferson Lerma at the break.
Halftime — Palace 0-1 Everton
Palace were probably just a bit better over the 45 minutes but the Mitchell throw-in gave the Toffees a chance and the visitors cashed it in for a halftime lead.
Shots are 5-3 for Palace, who had 58% of the ball and edged xG to the tune of 0.39-0.25.
Beto goal! Crystal Palace 0-1 Everton (42nd minute)
Everton go right back the other way and score the opener.
Alcaraz picks off a bad throw-in from Tyrick Mitchell and races toward the box.
The Argentine plays the ball across the 18 to Beto, who dinks past Henderson for 1-0.
Sarr smashes the bar!
Chris Richards dribbles through several players to get to the 18, then muscles the ball to Mateta.
Then it’s a quick ball to get Ismaila Sarr about 10 yards out but he thunders the ball into the cross bar.
Dean Henderson injury
Jack Harrison snaps in a dangerous cross from the left and Charly Alcaraz hits it back across goal.
Dean Henderson and Maxence Lacroix both go for the ball and the goalkeeper takes a stud or two to the face.
He gets treatment but will apparently stay in the game.
0-0, 31'.
Another Pickford save
There’s a little too much air under a Tyrick Mitchell cross that reaches Marc Guehi, but the center back’s header is saved by the paw of a horizontal Pickford.
Jefferson Lerma has the ball in the goal a minute later but he’s offside.
Still 0-0.
Pickford does well on Mateta rocket
An early chance for Palace sees in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta letting loose with a hard shot from 20 yards, but Jordan Pickford somehow muffles the attempt.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Hughes, Lerma, Sarr, Devenny, Mateta
Everton lineup
Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gana Gueye, Garner, Alcaraz, Lindstrom, Harrison, Beto
Crystal Palace vs Everton preview — By Andy Edwards
Of David Moyes’ five games in charge (3W-1D-1L), it was actually the draw that did the most to reunite the club with its fans again. James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equalizer didn’t just steal two points from PL leaders and bitter rivals Liverpool, but it ensured that the final Merseyside derby played at Goodison Park would not be a defeat. The manager would be remembered fondly if that were his only real accomplishment at the club — if he hadn’t already given them 11 brilliant years during his first stint. For that reason, there is a feel-good factor around Everton that hasn’t existed in many years, and they’re even playing some good attacking football to boot (10 goals in five games, after just 15 in 19 to start the season). Who says an old dog can’t teach you a new trick?
Speaking of good attacking football, Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr have become a devastating trio for Oliver Glasner’s side of late. Mateta leads the Eagles with 10 goals on the season, plus another 6 goals and 8 assists between Eze and Sarr. As good as they have been up front, the boys in the back have been just as vital to the success. Palace have lost just one of their last seven PL games (4W-2D-1L), scored multiple goals five times and kept four clean sheets.
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Cheick Doucoure (knee), Chadi Riad (knee), Joel Ward (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Eberechi Eze (ankle), Eddie Nketiah (ankle), Ismaila Sarr (illness)
Everton team news, focus
OUT: Orel Mangala (knee), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh), Armando Broja (ankle), Dwight McNeil (knee), Seamus Coleman (calf), Youssef Chermiti (thigh), Nathan Patterson (thigh), Iliman Ndiaye (knee), Abdoulaye Doucoure (suspension)
Crystal Palace vs Everton prediction
Don’t be surprised when this is the “Wow, I didn’t expect that game to be that good” surprise of the weekend. Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton.
