Belgian star Batshuayi makes a point for plucky Palace

EVERTON 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 1

UNSETTLED Crystal Palace striker Michy Batshuayi forcefully made his point to manager Roy Hodgson while striking another blow to Everton’s European aspirations. Batshuayi, who said on international duty he felt more ‘trust’ from his Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, was given six minutes as a late sub to rescue Palace, but needed just two as he coolly converted Jeffrey Schlupp’s pass. While a draw virtually guarantees another season of Premier League football for Palace, it represented another dreadful home result for Everton, who took the lead through James Rodriguez but saw other chances squandered by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

Carlo Ancelotti’s dream of taking them into the Europa League or possibly Champions League is being wrecked by results at Goodison. ‘When you deserve to win, you have to win. We should have killed the game,’ said the Italian. Calvert-Lewin missed after a one-on-one with Palace keeper Vicente Guaita while Richarlison couldn’t finish from six attempts on goal. Hodgson has never won at Goodison and must have feared the worst after 56 minutes when good play from Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman allowed Colombian star Rodriguez to steer a low finish through a ruck of bodies to give the home side the lead. But, after Everton had wasted numerous chances, it was Batshuayi who punished their profligacy with a late equaliser. Hodgson had been irritated by his earlier comments, but said last night: ‘It’s part and parcel of football. We’ve 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.’