Batman rides to the rescue
SUPER-SUB MICHY REPAYS FAITH
EVERTON better find some home form soon or European trips next season will be as likely as summer holidays in a global pandemic.
Michy Batshuayi grabbed a late leveller for Crystal Palace two minutes after coming off the bench to cancel out James Rodriguez’s earlier strike.
Just four points at Goodison Park for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in 2021 and they only had themselves to blame here as their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League took a huge hit.
While ‘Batman’ got the equaliser, the visitors were also indebted to a series of big saves from Vicente Guaita.
Ancelotti said: “We were not able to kill the game when we had the opportunities.
“We had a lot of chances, which we didn’t have in the last games. In the past our strikers would be more clinical but tonight they could be better.”
Batshuayi said last week on Belgium duty he does not feel as if boss Roy Hodgson trusts him.
Happy Hodgson said: “He scored a goal which is very important. When players go on international duty and score against Belarus, it would be surprising if he didn’t say the comments he made when asked about his club.
“He has come back in good spirits, he has contributed well in the training sessions and gave me the faith to put him on – and he repaid that faith.”
James celebrated his return from injury by shooting home from 12 yards following a cross by Seamus Coleman in the 56th minute.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison missed a host of chances before Batshuayi slammed the ball
home with his left foot.