Report and free game highlights: Jordan Ayew opened the score with a spectacular long-range shot, and Amadou Onana’s late header gave the hosts a point. Oliver Glasner, the new manager of Crystal Palace, watched the Eagles secure a point against Everton.
Oliver Glasner was in the stands watching Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park, where Jordan Ayew’s opening goal was cancelled out by a late goal from Amadou Onana.
A nerve-wracking match between two relegation-threatened clubs was viewed by the new Palace manager, who was unveiled prior to kickoff as it was known that Roy Hodgson was stepping down. The match looked to be decided by a solitary highlight from Ayew.
In the 66th minute, Ayew was set up superbly by Jean-Philippe Mateta, and he promptly rifled the ball across Jordan Pickford and into the far corner.
In an otherwise uneventful match, the turning point arrived rather belatedly, but crucially for the home team, who had lost their previous eight games.
Six minutes from time, substitute Onana gave the Goodison crowd the breakthrough they had been waiting for when he headed Dwight McNeil’s corner home at the back post. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had wasted two good chances before the interval.
As a result, Everton moves up out of the bottom three, although they are now tied for 18th position with Luton Town, who have played one fewer game. Palace, on the other hand, are five points clear in 15th place.
How Onana saved Everton’s tie
It was an unfamiliar scorer who saved a crucial point in a week when Everton is expecting to hear from an independent panel that will decide whether their 10-point sanction is harsh enough for breaking the Profit and Sustainability regulations.
All night, McNeil had been tricking the ball into the box, with numerous balls ending up on the head of the wasteful Calvert-Lewin, who has the greatest xG (2.16) of any player without a league goal to his credit in 2024.
Onana’s impressive leap met the delivery that counted, as he squeezed the ball past Sam Johnstone to grab the point that pulled the Toffees out of the bottom three—at least for the time being.
Although a loss would have been devastating for Dyche’s team, the draw at least made sure Palace, who had only won twice in the league in their previous 14 games, was not given the opportunity to move eight points clear of the relegation zone.
The visitors were led by assistant managers Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington, as Glasner, Hodgson’s replacement, experienced his first taste of life at Palace. He should be encouraged by the team’s energetic performance even without the star power of injured players Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.
On the other hand, the host team may believe that this was a lost chance. After the game, Dyche stated, “We were constantly asking questions,” but his team was far from at their best and sloppy in front of goal; this is the longest losing streak they have had since Frank Lampard took over.
Although Calvert-Lewin could have scored goals with headers from McNeil crosses in either half, his goalless streak of 19 games is a clear sign of his lack of confidence and assurance.
