Crystal Palace long unbeaten run don finally crash as Jack Grealish score im first goal for Everton inside stoppage time wey give the Toffees 2-1 dramatic win for Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Palace don dey enjoy serious form lately, after Daniel Muñoz score opener for dem midweek against Dinamo Kiev for Conference League. The Colombian wing-back still open scoring again for Merseyside, as Palace carry 1-0 lead enter halftime.
But after plenty missed chances from the Eagles — including Jean-Philippe Mateta wey waste two clear opportunities back-to-back — Everton come turn the game around. Iliman Ndiaye equalise from penalty spot before Jack Grealish seal the win for stoppage time, even though the goal bounce off am by mistake after Muñoz clearance hit am for body and enter net.
The victory end Everton four-game winless run and push dem go seventh for table, while Palace suffer their first defeat since April. If Manchester City beat Brentford later, Palace fit still drop to sixth.
TPB VERDICT
Crystal Palace don dey enjoy one of their best runs in history — FA Cup plus Community Shield winners and 19-game unbeaten run — but manager Oliver Glasner go dey vex as im boys throw away one-goal advantage for second half after dominating the first 45 minutes.
Palace for don finish this match early if Mateta wear him shooting boots, but the French striker miss clear chances. Everton on the other hand start slow, no energy, no urgency when dem win ball. David Moyes see wetin happen and act sharp — remove Thierno Barry and Tyler Dibling at halftime, bring in Carlos Alcaraz and Beto.
The two subs change everything. Dem inject pace, hunger and spark into the attack. Ndiaye and Grealish come alive, and na that combination bring the victory. Grealish goal — even though e be pure accident — go mean plenty for am personally. The Manchester City loanee don start life for Merseyside well, and after Moyes challenge am pre-match say make e start scoring, the boy deliver sharp.
Before this game, Everton don win only four of their last 31 Premier League matches against top-half teams (D11 L16). If Moyes really want to push Everton go European level again, na this kind gritty win against strong opponents dem go need more often.
EVERTON VS CRYSTAL PALACE HIGHLIGHTS
Daniel Muñoz Goal (37th min, Everton 0-1 Crystal Palace)
Palace open scoring through Daniel Muñoz wey dey on fire lately. The move start from quick counter — Yeremy Pino pick Ismaila Sarr for space, Sarr drive go centre and release Muñoz for right side with perfect pass. Muñoz time him run well, escape offside, and slot am calmly under Pickford near post. 1-0 for the visitors.
Iliman Ndiaye Goal (76th min, Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace)
Equaliser come through penalty. Maxence Lacroix foul substitute Tim Iroegbunam inside box, referee Michael Salisbury point straight to the spot. Ndiaye step up and send Dean Henderson the wrong way. Game balanced again.
Jack Grealish Goal (90+3 min, Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace)
Drama of the day! Hill Dickinson Stadium scatter as Grealish score stoppage-time winner — though the goal funny small. Beto first head powerful shot wey Henderson manage save, then Muñoz try clear the rebound but e bounce hit Grealish and fly enter net. Goal still count sha, and Everton fans lose their minds. Na pure luck, but na three points all the same.
MAN OF THE MATCH – CARLOS ALCARAZ
Moyes deserve credit for the halftime changes, but the real impact come from Carlos Alcaraz. The Argentine playmaker transform the midfield energy after he enter. He play behind Beto and drive ball forward fearlessly. Na him cross from right wey cause the winning goal sequence. Proper game-changer performance from am — full of energy, movement and confidence.
EVERTON VS CRYSTAL PALACE MATCH STATS
- Possession: Everton 51% – 49% Crystal Palace
- Shots: Everton 14 – 15 Crystal Palace
- Shots on Target: Everton 7 – 8 Crystal Palace
- Corners: Everton 2 – 4 Crystal Palace
- Fouls: Everton 13 – 16 Crystal Palace
BEST STATS
- Everton end Crystal Palace 19-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
- Grealish score im first goal for Everton since joining on loan from Manchester City.
- Palace lose for first time since April, ending their best-ever unbeaten streak.
WHAT NEXT?
Both teams go now go on short break as international fixtures dey next. When Premier League return on October 18, Everton go travel go face Manchester City, while Crystal Palace go host Bournemouth for Selhurst Park.
