Everton vs Crystal Palace Report

Scorers: McNeil 47’, 54’; Guehi 10’

Two stunning second-half goals from Dwight McNeil handed Everton their first Premier League victory of the season, propelling them above Crystal Palace, who remain winless with three draws and three losses.

Palace’s Early Dominance and Opening Goal

Coming into the match, Crystal Palace had drawn their last three games, and this encounter marked their first away game outside of London in nine matches across all competitions. The Eagles started positively, finding the net early on.

A straightforward cross into Everton’s box saw Maxence Lacroix out-jump Abdoulaye Doucouré, with Marc Guéhi reacting swiftly to flick the ball into the near post, giving Palace a 1-0 lead just 10 minutes in.

Everton initially responded well, creating opportunities through Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who narrowly missed a connection on Dwight McNeil’s low cross.

However, Palace soon regained control, driven by Eberechi Eze’s persistent counter-attacking threat, making the game a fast-paced, end-to-end affair.

A close call came when Eddie Nketiah’s powerful shot was deflected off James Tarkowski, sending the ball spinning dangerously close to Everton’s goal. The Toffees lived on the edge for much of the first half as Palace’s pressure continued to mount.

McNeil Inspires a Second-Half Turnaround

Despite their lack of attacking threat in the first half, Everton emerged for the second period with renewed energy and quickly turned the game on its head.

Dwight McNeil led the charge with a magnificent curling strike from 25 yards out, leveling the score and setting the stage for a remarkable turnaround.

Just seven minutes later, McNeil demonstrated his quality again, deftly controlling Jack Harrison’s deep delivery before firing a low, emphatic finish to give Everton the lead.

Everton’s Resilience and Defensive Sturdiness

Throughout the season, Everton had struggled to hold on to leads, but the return of Jarrad Branthwaite added much-needed resilience to their backline.

As Palace pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Daniel Muñoz’s cutback just eluded Jean Mateta at close range, allowing the Toffees to escape unscathed.

Doucouré’s attempt to break through the Palace defence was halted by a perfectly timed tackle from Lacroix, highlighting the tense back-and-forth nature of the match’s closing stages.

Amid the late tension and sustained pressure from Palace, Everton maintained their composure and defensive discipline, ultimately securing all three points.

The victory not only lifted them above Palace in the league standings but also pushed the Eagles closer to the relegation zone, leaving Oliver Glasner’s side in need of an upturn in form.

Key Moments

• Guéhi’s Early Opener (10′): Marc Guéhi gives Palace the lead, capitalising on a cross into the box.
• McNeil’s Brilliant Equaliser (46′): Dwight McNeil’s curling effort from 25 yards sparks Everton’s comeback.
• McNeil’s Decisive Second (53′): McNeil controls a deep cross and finishes emphatically to secure the lead for Everton.

Everton’s First Win Provides a Boost

The victory represents a much-needed boost for Everton, who have struggled for form this season but displayed grit and determination to claim their first league win.

Meanwhile, Palace’s defensive frailties and lack of cutting edge in attack leave them teetering above the relegation zone and in desperate need of a turnaround.

Conclusion

Everton will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures, while Crystal Palace must address their shortcomings to climb out of the relegation battle.

Dwight McNeil’s two goals will be remembered as the catalyst for the Toffees’ revival and a key moment in their early season journey.

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Everton v Crystal Palace, 2024/25 | Premier League