MATCH FACTS
SAMBA drums were played on the pitch before kick-off at Goodison Park.
But it was their brilliant Brazilian duo of Bernard and Richarlison who brought the rhythm which has been the heartbeat of Everton’s revival under Carlo Ancelotti.
There were superb goals in a solid performance sprinkled with some shaky moments.
But the Toffees are now seventh in the Premier League table ahead of Champions League-chasing Manchester United and Wolves.
That was unthinkable when they were thumped 5-2 by neighbours Liverpool before Christmas as Marco Silva’s final game in charge left them in the relegation zone. But first under caretaker Duncan Ferguson and now in the hands of serial winner Ancelotti, they have turned their season around.
Ancelotti’s fifth league win came thanks to a beautiful volley from
Bernard, then a rip-roaring run and finish from Richarlison before
Dominic Calvert-lewin got the goal his performance deserved. The goals from the Brazilians came either side of a Jordan Pickford howler which gifted Christian Benteke a rare goal.
And there were other moments throughout this game that showed Ancelotti’s work is still very much in progress. But there is certainly already plenty of progress.
This side was often questioned
■ Only Liverpool (24) have won more Premier League points than Everton (17) since Carlo Ancelotti’s first game in charge of the Toffees in December. about their character after failing to win once from a losing position under Silva. But last week at Watford they came from 2-0 down to win.
And here, when Benteke scored and Palace piled on some pressure, the Blues didn’t buckle. They reorganised and got themselves back ahead to secure the three points.
Ancelotti joked that he may now finally be a magician after turning the Toffees’ season around. And it was a magical finish which put them in front in the 18th minute.
Patrick van Aanholt hitting the post with a deflected strike certainly shook the Everton players into life. Theo Walcott then shuffled into space to deliver a fine cross that was met by a Bernard volley and he found the net.
Not long after Walcott hobbled off with a leg injury – sparking comedy as replacement Djibril Sidibe had to run back down the tunnel as he had forgotten to put one of his socks on.
Ancelotti didn’t see the funny side as he was worried his side were down to 10 men.
But Palace boss Roy Hodgson had little to smile about in the opening 45 minutes.
They are winless in seven now in the Premier League but they did have chances in this game.
Benteke started the move that led to the Palace equaliser by nodding down to Wilfried Zaha and he put