Michy makes point and gives Carlo the blues
UNSETTLED Crystal Palace striker Michy Batshuayi made his point to manager roy Hodgson as Everton’s goodison Park blues continued to derail their European aspirations.
Batshuayi, who said on international duty he felt more ‘trust’ from his Belgium boss roberto Martinez than Hodgson, was given just six minutes as a late substitute to try to save Palace — and he only needed two of them as he coolly converted from Jeffrey Schlupp’s pass.
While the draw virtually guarantees another season of Premier league football in south london, it represented another dreadful home result for Everton, who had gone ahead through the returning James rodriguez and saw other chances squandered by strikers Dominic Calvertlewin and Richarlison.
Carlo Ancelotti’s dream of taking Everton into the Europa league, or even possibly the Champions league, is being wrecked by results at home. Before this game, they had lost four out of their last five at goodison.
‘When you deserve to win, you have to win — we should have killed the game,’ said the Everton manager.
Everton were boosted by the returns of rodriguez from a calf injury and Swedish keeper robin Olsen (abdominal) for the first time since February. the Colombian added class and composure. the problem was the finishing from teammates. Calvert-lewin now has just three goals in 15 games.
the England striker missed a one-on-one against Palace goalkeeper Vicente guaita while Richarlison couldn’t finish from six attempts on goal.
Hodgson had never won at goodison Park and must have feared the worst after 56 minutes when lucas Digne was the source for Everton’s breakthrough, bombing into the box after a one-two with Richarlison.
the French left back teed up gylfi Sigurdsson and though his shot was parried by guaita, the rebound fell kindly to Seamus Coleman.
the Everton skipper spotted rodriguez and he cleverly steered a low finish through a body of players for his 100th goal in European club football.
Calvert- lewin missed another chance to make it 2-0 and Palace gained belief.
Olsen had to make saves from Jordan Ayew, Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha. Hodgson made late changes, sending on Schlupp, JeanPhilippe Mateta and finally, after 84 minutes, Batshuayi.
Six of the Belgian’s seven previous goals this season had come for his country rather than his club, where he is on loan from Chelsea.
But he struck a firm finish across Olsen when set up by Schlupp.
Hodgson had been irritated by Batshuayi’s recent comments when the player said: ‘i get a breath of renewed energy when i come into the national team, because it’s very hard for me at my club.’
But last night the Palace boss said: ‘it’s part and parcel of football. We have all seen quotes made like that during international weeks.
‘Since he’s come back, he has contributed in training and given me the faith to put him on, and luckily he repaid that faith.’
there was grumpiness at the final whistle with Zaha and Ben godfrey squaring up and other players surrounding them to prevent any further ‘handbags’. ‘A minor issue,’ snapped Hodgson when asked about it.
Ancelotti was asked about his decision to withdraw rodriguez shortly before the equaliser. ‘ He had played a fantastic match but he was tired,’ said the italian.
Midfielder Andre gomes was taken off after 31 minutes with a hamstring injury and he will be assessed to see if he can play a part in reviving Everton’s European hopes.
EVERTON (3-4-1-2): Olsen 6.5; Keane 6, Mina 6, Holgate 6.5, Coleman 7 (Godfrey 76); Davies 7, Gomes 6 (Sigurdsson 31min, 6), Digne 6; RODRIGUEZ 7.5 (Gbamin 79); Calvert-Lewin 6, Richarlison 6.5. Subs not used: Virginia, Nkounkou, King, Broadhead, John, Tyrer. Scorer: Rodriguez 56. Booked: Mina, Digne. Manager: Carlo Ancelotti 6.5. CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2): Guaita 7; Ward 6, Kouyate 6, Cahill 6, Van Aanholt 7; Ayew 6.5 (Batshuayi 84), Milivojevic 6, Riedewald 6.5 (Schlupp 68, 7), Eze 7; Zaha 6.5, Benteke 6 (Mateta 77). Subs not used: Butland, Mitchell, Kelly, Dann, Townsend, Hannam. Scorer: Batshuayi 86. Booked: None. Manager: Roy Hodgson 7. Referee: Kevin Friend 7.