0-1 Beto (42') 1-1 J. Mateta (47') 1-2 C. Alcaraz (80')
Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s second-half strike wasn’t enough for Crystal Palace to salvage a point as Carlos Alcaraz scored on his first start for Everton with a late winner at Selhurst Park.
The 22-year-old, who Everton signed from Flamengo on deadline day, made his first start on Saturday a memorable one with a goal and assist.
He first supplied Beto on the stroke of half time before making an even bigger impact with 10 minutes remaining, with the scoreline level.
Ashley Young, having replaced Jesper Lindstrom just a minute before the winner, sliced a narrow-angled shot towards goal before Will Hughes made a vital but costly block, which fell to Alcaraz in the middle.
From there, the Argentine midfielder picked his spot and finished clinically through Hughes’ legs and into the back of the net.
All three points for Everton meant they climbed the table even more having lost just one game in the Premier League since David Moyes rejoined; the Toffees sit 13th in the table.
Story of the Match
Palace looked the better side for the majority of the first half but, on 42 minutes, Beto scored once again to open the scoring in a similar odyssey to that on Wednesday against Liverpool.
It came from a mistake that cost the hosts massively when Tyrick Mitchell overdid a throw-in, intended for Jefferson Lerma, which gave Alcaraz the chance to drive into Palace’s final third.
Beto, having scored his eighth goal in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in midweek, positioned himself well for the pass before taking a touch and finishing into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.
Oliver Glanser’s side did find a way back into the game, however, just two minutes after the second half began.
From a lofted corner, James Tarkowski and Jake O’Brien failed to deal with the ball, giving it to Marc Guehi whose flicked-on pass fell to Mateta.
The Frenchman, who scored two in his side’s 2-0 win against Manchester United a fortnight ago, hit first time with the side of his foot and tucked the ball past Pickford with ease.
There was a nervy four-minute wait for VAR to confirm the goal amid offside speculation despite there being little evidence to show against Mateta’s positioning.
Controversially, the hosts took the lead on 20 minutes but, from the corner which saw Lerma head the ball into the top right corner, referee Anthony Taylor ruled it out due to the ball going out of play in mid-air.
VAR did check the call but, with no adequate camera angles to review the play, the on-field decision of no goal was confirmed because of ‘inconclusive evidence’.
Palace came close just moments before Beto’s opener when Ismaila Sarr hit the crossbar, courtesy of some excellent dribbling from Chris Richards in the build up, but the scoreline remained going into the half-time break.
Everton’s defensive frailty
Everton’s defence for much of the game showed signs of frailty and weakness, with Mateta having the first chance of the game inside seven minutes.
The Palace forward broke free after collecting Tarkowski’s mistake and, with Jarrad Branthwaite missing the loose ball, had the opportunity to score – only for Jordan Pickford to make a strong block.
On 54 minutes, Everton found themselves on another counter-attack, similar to that of their first goal, as Lindstrom cut inside, forcing Dean Henderson into a diving save.
At the other end, Palace tried tirelessly for an equaliser but Everton’s defence, although poor at times, held out to secure all three points in an entertaining affair.
Player of the Match - Carlos Alcaraz
In a game for Everton where Abdoulaye Doucoure and Iliman Ndaiye were absent - through a red card and injury respectively - Alcaraz filled that role perfectly.
It was the first start since leaving Flamengo on loan for Alcaraz and, with a goal and assist, the midfielder didn't disappoint.
His alertness in Beto's goal was superb and, for the winner, he was in the right place at the right time.
