Everton and Crystal Palace Share Four Goals in 2-2 Draw at Selhurst Park

Jean-Philippe Mateta came off the bench to score in the 76th minute and rescue a 2-2 draw for Crystal Palace against Everton at Selhurst Park on Sunday. The late equaliser prevented Everton from climbing into the European places and kept spirits high at Palace days after they booked their place in the Conference League final.

A victory for Everton would have moved them onto 51 points, level with Brentford in eighth position and two points off the last guaranteed European qualification berth.

Instead the visitors were left to reflect on a game in which they led twice but could not hold on. Everton went ahead after only six minutes. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sent over a corner in the 6th minute that led to James Tarkowski scoring for Everton with a volley at the far post after the ball was helped on by a Palace defender.

A frantic 30 seconds followed. Jordan Pickford saved brilliantly from Maxence Lacroix, then Dean Henderson denied Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on a rapid break during the first half. Crystal Palace grew into the match and equalised 10 minutes before half-time.

Michael Keane made a poor clearance that allowed Ismaila Sarr to score for Crystal Palace, thumping the loose ball past Pickford. Iliman Ndiaye headed a chance inside the six-yard box in the final minute of the first half that was cleared off the line by Ismaila Sarr.

The second half was less than 90 seconds old when Beto scored a goal for Everton, racing onto Tarkowski’s ball over the top and finishing calmly after holding off Lacroix.

Dean Henderson saved James Garner's free-kick in the second half as Everton threatened to extend their lead. Palace maintained pressure, however, and Mateta finished from Tyrick Mitchell’s pass in the 76th minute to level the score at 2-2. Adam Wharton struck the post in stoppage time with a powerful effort from outside the box.

@Independent reported that a goal then would have been hard on Everton. Crystal Palace had entered the match on a high after booking their place in the Conference League final on Thursday. They will play Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on 27 May.

Both England goalkeepers impressed in front of watching national team coach Thomas Tuchel. Pickford was later forced to bat away Daichi Kamada’s searching pass as it narrowly evaded Sarr’s attempt to prod it in.