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FA Cup: Everton vs. Crystal Palace – Reunited at Goodison Park on Wednesday, Everton and Crystal Palace play one of just two all-Premier League FA Cup third-round ties to go to a replay.
In the first match, the 10-man Toffees battled to a goalless draw at Selhurst Park. Later this month, the winners will face either Luton Town or Bolton Wanderers.
During Everton and Palace’s cup match on January 4, a striker named Dominic Calvert-Lewin challenged Nathaniel Clyne, going in high but seemingly missing the mark. Three Toffees players watched in complete confusion while Chris Kavanagh evaluated the play.
Even so, Kavanagh dubifully saw it appropriate to show a red card, setting the stage for that 0-0 match in the English capital’s headlines. However, the Eagles were unable to capitalise on having an extra man on the field for the last fifteen minutes of play.
Everton has since been successful in their appeal against Calvert-Lewin’s dismissal, adding more fuel to the ever-growing controversy surrounding VAR. However, Sean Dyche’s team was the right side of a technical call during yet another goalless draw with Aston Villa in this weekend’s Premier League encounter.
Both Alex Moreno and Abdoulaye Doucoure had goals disallowed for offside on the Goodison field; Moreno’s took longer to review. Although that point ended Everton’s Premier League losing streak of three games, Dyche and company have now lost six of their last seven games.
Everton appears to have reverted to their old aggressive ways as well, having gone three games without a goal. However, the Toffees have won their last four FA Cup replays at Goodison Park and haven’t lost in these situations since 1993–94.
Everton put in almost 90 minutes of effort over the weekend, but Palace was one of few Premier League teams to have the unusual luxury of a free weekend. Roy Hodgson had plenty of time to reflect on his team’s weaknesses following their opening draw with the Toffees.
Even though Palace’s draw with a 10-man Everton team was not enough to win, it was at least better than their 3-2 loss to Dyche’s team in the Premier League match in November, and the Eagles have shown some resiliency during the Christmas and New Year break.
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In fact, Hodgson’s team has only lost once in their last five tournament games, and that was against Chelsea, who defeated their London rivals 2-1. In addition, the team has impressive points against Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as a thrilling victory over Brentford.
Confidence levels could plummet should Palace suffer a fourth FA Cup third-round exit in five seasons, though, and the Eagles’ winless run on the road now stands at four matches, but their most recent FA Cup replay in the 2016-17 season ended in a 2-1 success over Bolton Wanderers in the third round.
The men in blue, however, have the better of history. They have won their two previous FA Cup replays against Palace, which took place in 1907 and 1972, respectively. Since an exciting 3-2 loss in 2014, they have gone eight games without a loss at Goodison Park.
Everton FA Cup form:
D
Everton form (all competitions):
L L L L D D
Crystal Palace FA Cup form:
D
Crystal Palace form (all competitions):
L D D L W D
Even though Dwight McNeil was carted off the pitch against Crystal Palace with what appeared to be a major ankle injury, he was remarkably well enough to start on the bench on Sunday and even had a cameo against Aston Villa for 30 minutes.
Of course, Calvert-Lewin is eligible now that his suspension has been overturned. However, Idrissa Gueye is playing for the Africa Cup of Nations, so Dele Alli (groin) and Ashley Young (knock) will have to stay in the medical bay for a few more weeks.
Given the quick turnaround, the fit-again McNeil should be considered for a start, which should also increase Beto and Andre Gomes’s hopes of getting some crucial minutes. Meanwhile, Joao Virginia ought to take Jordan Pickford’s place in goal.
Hodgson will probably work with the same group of players from their stalemate at Selhurst Park this weekend, as Palace have no Premier League commitments to consider.
Rob Holding (ankle) and Sam Johnstone (calf) should be close to making their comebacks.
Michael Olise is anticipated to miss the remainder of the month due to a hamstring injury, although there is still no official timetable for his rehabilitation.
Additionally, Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward, and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are also out with thigh, ankle, and thigh problems.
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In the first meeting, Matheus Franca made his Palace debut against Everton thanks to Jordan Ayew’s departure for the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Hodgson acknowledged that the 19-year-old would not have been happy with his 71-minute performance.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Virginia; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Onana, Garner, Gomes, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Richards, Hughes; Eze, Mateta, Schlupp
Our Prediction for this match 1-1 draw
