Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace: Amadou Onana header lifts hosts out of bottom three
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Amadou Onana’s goal was his third of the season for Everton
Everton manager Sean Dyche wants a “speedier” verdict for “the good of football” on their appeal against a 10-point deduction after they boosted their Premier League survival hopes with a late draw against Crystal Palace.
Dyche spoke out after his side climbed out of the relegation zone with a point secured by Amadou Onana’s 84th-minute header.
The result took Everton up to 17th, above Luton on goal difference.
They had 10 points deducted by an independent commission in November for financial rule breaches, but lodged an appeal the following month. No date for the appeal hearing has yet been confirmed.
“I don’t know the dates, we’re just waiting. For the good of football, I think it needs to be speedier for everyone,” Dyche said after the match.
“I don’t think anyone wants them dragged out, whatever it’s going to be, let’s get on with it. It’s not in my hands, though. Who knows [when we’ll find out].”
Onan’s headed equaliser came after Jordan Ayew had scored for Palace, who announced earlier on Monday that Roy Hodgson has stepped down as manager.
Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner has replaced Hodgson, 76, who was taken ill during training on Thursday but is now out of hospital.
Ghana forward Ayew thumped a superb strike into the far corner past home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and looked to have sealed three points for Palace before Onana’s late intervention.
Everton’s best chance of the first half came when Dominic Calvert-Lewin rose between two Palace defenders but his header from a Dwight McNeil cross went wide of the post.
Chris Richards and Jean-Philippe Mateta had headers blocked on the line by Everton defenders James Tarkowski and Ashley Young before Palace went ahead.
Tarkowski’s header from a corner was saved by Sam Johnstone who then reacted well to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure at the near post.
Palace concede late again
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner watched his new side with chairman Steve Parish
The past few days have been eventful for Crystal Palace, with widespread reports last Thursday that Hodgson was set to be sacked, and the former England manager taken ill later that morning.
The club confirmed on Monday that he was “now out of hospital and doing well”.
Hodgson’s assistants Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington led the team against Everton with new manager Glasner watching in the stands alongside chairman Steve Parish.
Glasner has signed a contract until June 2026 and will take charge for the first time when Palace host Burnley on Saturday.
The Eagles move up to 15th with a draw but will be disappointed not to seal a win as they conceded in the closing stages once more.
After Ayew’s goal, they did not push forward as much and were duly punished by a determined Everton side.
“It was a wonderful goal by Jordan Ayew, but we couldn’t hold on,” said McCarthy.
“We knew Everton would hold us to some questions from set plays and I am disappointed we conceded, but ultimately we are happy with the point and we move on.”
Palace have conceded 17 goals in the last 15 minutes of Premier League games this season, with only Sheffield United (19) losing more.
This will no doubt be one of the pressing issues for Glasner to address.
Profligate Everton seal important point
Amadou Onana and Dwight McNeil celebrate after combining for Everton’s equaliser
Onana’s header secured a vital draw for Everton in front of a restless Goodison crowd.
Sean Dyche’s side looked like they would be punished for wasting good opportunities when Ayew gave Palace the lead.
Calvert-Lewin has now gone 19 appearances without scoring in all competitions for Everton and missed two great chances to get back among the goals.
In the second half, another superb ball was delivered by McNeil and Calvert-Lewin headed wide once more. Palace defender Richards’ presence may have put him off but an in-form Calvert-Lewin would surely have converted the chance.
52% of Everton’s league goals this season have come from set pieces and it is no wonder with the aerial presence in their side.
McNeil provided the assist – his fifth of the season, more than any other Everton player – for Onana’s header as one of his excellent crosses was finally converted.
The Toffees travel to Brighton on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as they look to end an eight-match winless run in the league.
Player of the match
A WhartonAdam Wharton
Everton
Squad number8Player nameOnana
Squad number6Player nameTarkowski
Squad number22Player nameGodfrey
Squad number32Player nameBranthwaite
Squad number1Player namePickford
Squad number19Player nameMykolenko
Squad number7Player nameMcNeil
Squad number16Player nameDoucouré
Squad number37Player nameGarner
Squad number14Player nameBeto
Squad number27Player nameGueye
Squad number9Player nameCalvert-Lewin
Squad number18Player nameYoung
Squad number11Player nameHarrison
Crystal Palace
Squad number20Player nameA Wharton
Squad number9Player nameJ Ayew
Squad number1Player nameJohnstone
Squad number12Player nameMuñoz
Squad number16Player nameAndersen
Squad number26Player nameRichards
Squad number3Player nameMitchell
Squad number2Player nameWard
Squad number14Player nameMateta
Squad number8Player nameLerma
Squad number22Player nameÉdouard
Squad number52Player nameOzoh
Squad number29Player nameAhamada
Line-upsEverton
Formation 4-4-1-1
1Pickford
22Godfrey6Tarkowski32Branthwaite19Mykolenko
18Young27Gueye37Garner7McNeil
16Doucouré
9Calvert-Lewin
Substitutes
Crystal Palace
Formation 3-4-2-1
1Johnstone
2Ward16Andersen26Richards
12Muñoz8Lerma20A Wharton3Mitchell
9J Ayew22Édouard
14Mateta
Substitutes
Referee:Paul Tierney
Attendance:38,164
Live Text
Match ends, Everton 1, Crystal Palace 1.
Second Half ends, Everton 1, Crystal Palace 1.
Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Jack Harrison (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace).
Attempt missed. Beto (Everton) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Vitalii Mykolenko with a cross.
Substitution, Crystal Palace. David Ozoh replaces Adam Wharton.
Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card.
Attempt missed. James Tarkowski (Everton) header from the right side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Dwight McNeil with a cross following a set piece situation.
Dwight McNeil (Everton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Naouirou Ahamada (Crystal Palace).
Goal! Everton 1, Crystal Palace 1. Amadou Onana (Everton) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dwight McNeil with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Everton. Conceded by Sam Johnstone.
Attempt saved. James Garner (Everton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a headed pass.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace).
Attempt missed. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Dwight McNeil with a cross.
Attempt blocked. Amadou Onana (Everton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.