Glasner sees Palace’s fighting spirit but win goes begging
Incoming Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner will be under no illusions about English football’s idiosyncrasies after his watching brief at Goodison Park. He will be enthused by the spirit of his players in this draw, while inclined to think he must rapidly adjust to a different sport than he is accustomed to in the Bundesliga.
Countless misplaced passes, continued aerial bombardments and ceaseless battles for the second ball meant a fourth meeting between Everton and Palace this season was probably three more than for a football connoisseur’s taste. Indeed, Jordan Ayew’s spectacular 66thminute strike was so out of character with everything else it was as though it was transported from a different, higher-quality game.
Given the emotional circumstances, that should not diminish how encouraged the visitors will be from what may prove a crucial draw, keeping the bottom three at a fair distance.
When Palace were here a few weeks ago, their disillusioned fans were unveiling wordy banners complaining about a lack of boardroom direction. For all the compassion and respect for Roy Hodgson, they left Merseyside this time tentatively believing they are heading towards a glimmer of hope.
For Palace, the mitigation for a performance brimful of character more than quality was plentiful given the absence of their most imaginative attackers as well as a senior coach, caretaker Paddy Mccarthy disclosing how the staff and players only learnt of the managerial change when they sat down for their pre-match meal.
“He has seen a team with spirit and commitment,” Mccarthy said, when asked what Glasner would have made of the performance. “It is a difficult place to come. We defended resolutely but unfortunately we could not hold on.
“It has been a whirlwind couple of days and there has been no communication regarding my future. It’s been all hands on deck trying to prepare for this important game.”
Sean Dyche, the Everton manager, agreed that Palace began looking more motivated, whether hunting a farewell gift for Hodgson or a welcome one for the new coach. “First half it looked like we were off and they had a new manager in the stand,” Dyche said.
It could not excuse Everton’s general deficiencies.
Everton’s season will be defined by a critical loss of points. Never mind the deduction of 10, how about the 20 that have disappeared since their last Premier League win? Dyche’s side have not tasted victory since Dec 16, collecting four draws in the subsequent eight games. Had Everton played the first 80 minutes last night with the intensity of the final 10, they may have ended that barren run here.
Howls of relief reflected how it could have been much worse but for Amadou Onana 84th-minute equaliser. Until then, Everton were insipid. But as in their last home game against Tottenham Hotspur, they rallied to save themselves, the point enough to get out of the relegation zone above Luton Town on goal difference.
Under the right circumstances, two desperate clubs in limbo can make for a riveting watch. Alas, this was no such evening. Without that contentious asterisk, Everton would have enough points to be well clear of the bottom three. What was worrying was the regression into a side who did not look out of place in such peril.
As exhibitions of attritional football go, the turgid first half was in a class of its own, Everton seeking yardage and trying to prey on a loss of concentration, or physical deficiency in defence. Despite his lack of goals, Dominic Calvert-lewin remains the focal point of a limited attack. There are increasing mumbles about his goal drought but most of the time he cuts an isolated figure. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s return helps, but when the connection between Calvert-lewin and advancing midfielders is lost, so is a concerted attacking threat.
The more Everton toiled, the more Palace grew into the game, Ayew and Odsonne Edouard realising that rather than chase for possession, if they were patient enough another wasteful pass would provide it. Ayew’s screamer to fire Palace ahead, however, was self-made, firing hard across goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from 20 yards.
“How bad must you be, we’re winning away,” the jubilant Palace supporters sang. They celebrated too soon. The panic was growing but Everton found salvation from a set-piece, Dwight Mcneil’s corner met by Onana with Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone exposed.
Despite the first period of sustained home pressure, Palace deservedly stood firm. It does not quite qualify as the start of a new-manager bounce.
That will have to wait until Glasner takes a coaching session. Nevertheless, having been appointed in an emergency to stave off a relegation battle, he may already be confident of a loftier ambition of mid-table security.