Grealish Nets Last-Gasp Decisive Goal as The Toffees Snap Crystal Palace's Unbeaten Streak
Oliver Glasner watched in disbelief as his players reacted with disappointment to a dramatic late turnaround at Goodison Park. Crystal Palace's lengthy unbeaten streak came to an end thanks to Jack Grealish's maiden goal for David Moyes' team.
Opening Period Control by Palace
From the outset, the away side imposed their authority with set-pieces from the defender and precise distribution by Adam Wharton. The hosts faced early pressure, with Jordan Pickford—celebrating his three-hundredth Premier League appearance for the club—called into action twice in the opening two minutes.
The winger and Tyrick Mitchell both found space on the edge of the box, but Pickford stood firm. He later denied the Palace captain from point-blank, with James Tarkowski taking the pace off the shot.
The visitors kept up the pressure, with Mitchell hitting the side-netting and Jean-Philippe Mateta testing Pickford. In due course, the deserved breakthrough arrived.
Daniel Muñoz Opens the Deadlock
Yeremy Pino shielded the ball under pressure from two defenders before releasing Ismaïla Sarr. Sarr drove forward and played a perfectly weighted pass to the overlapping Muñoz, who finished with ease for his second consecutive goal in two games.
Everton's Second-Half Revival
The Everton boss made a double interval changes, taking off new arrivals the forward and Tyler Dibling. The substitutes, Beto and the midfielder, brought instant energy to the team's hitherto lackluster attack.
Even with the improvement, Palace squandered key chances to extend their lead. Mateta broke free and chipped the ball over Pickford, only for the defender to clear off the line. Subsequently, IsmaĂŻla Sarr dribbled past the goalkeeper but watched his shot deflect to the striker, who dragged his effort wide from close range.
Spot-Kick Equalizes the Contest
The Toffees were handed a lifeline when Maxence Lacroix clattered into Tim Iroegbunam in the area. Iliman Ndiaye took responsibility and sent Dean Henderson the opposite direction from the penalty mark.
Grealish Scores at the Death
With the match seemingly headed for a tie, Everton launched one final push. Alcaraz—instrumental in the second-half—released Ndiaye on the right. Ndiaye floated a superb cross into the six-yard box, where the substitute met a powerful header.
Dean Henderson somehow saved the close-range effort, but the rebound fell to Jack Grealish, who blocked Muñoz's clearance into the net. Palace's winning streak was finished, concluding in heartbreaking fashion.
