WE STILL YOU, WILF
Forgiving Palace fans tell Hodgson to send on Zaha
WILFRIED ZAHA spent all summer trying to leave Crystal Palace. Those at Selhurst Park yesterday couldn’t get away quick enough, either.
After all the build-up, it was an anti-climactic start to the new season for the Eagles and Everton.
Not that the game was without its chances. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, in particular, can be pleased with his day’s work after pulling off a trio of excellent stops to keep Palace at bay.
But that said, both clubs will hope things improve from here. Onwards and upwards, at least that’s what Roy Hodgson and Marco Silva are banking on.
Not even the late introduction of wantaway Zaha could change the complexion of the match, in which Morgan Schneiderlin was sent off for two bookable offences.
In the end the Zaha story was more intriguing than the match. His attempts to force a move away from south London to Everton this week culminated in a f ormal transfer request on Wednesday. Not that Palace fans are holding it against him.
He wasn’t deemed fit enough to start yesterday, given he only returned to pre-season training on Monday following his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
Nevertheless, when his name was read out over the PA system before kick-off, the cheers were deafening.
They love him in south London even though, it appears, the admiration — at least towards the club — isn’t really reciprocated.
‘He handled it very well but the crowd helped, it was such a great reception,’ said Hodgson.
‘It was nice to have him available to give another dimension to our play. The two front players who started were exceptional but it was good to have him to bring on.
‘That situation has been and gone and Wilf will make certain he brings his straw to the water and help us have a good season, just like he has done in the previous two seasons.’
Zaha’s omission was the only significant team news and without him the home side spent much of the first half on the back foot, lacking in potency and invention.
Everton showed the sort of control that would have encouraged Silva but ultimately found the first half frustrating as Gylfi Sigurdsson and Seamus Coleman missed glorious chances.
Gradually, Palace established a foothold. Max Meyer’s influence was growing but t he German squandered his side’s best chance of the half, his effort from 12 yards tipped over the bar by Pickford.
The first half ended in worrying circumstances for Everton when Andre Gomes hobbled off after suffering an injury to his left foot.
Everton were never the same side without their puppeteer-in-chief, although Sigurdsson did see an 52nd-minute effort cleared off the line by Patrick van Aanholt.
Silva said: ‘In the first half we were clearly the best team on the pitch. The key moment in the game in my opinion, was the injury to Andre Gomes. Until that moment we were solid and playing well and creating chances’
Palace missed two golden opportunities in quick succession, Pickford denying Jordan Ayew and Meyer with excellent saves.
However, despite watching their team grow in terms of attacking intent, the fans’ clamour for Zaha to be introduced intensified.
Hodgson succumbed in the 65th minute, Zaha replacing Ayew to deafening noise. Silva introduced his own attacking enigma just moments later, Moise Kean coming on for his debut.
Richarlison should have fired Everton ahead just before Kean’s introduction, but the Brazilian firedwide after Luka Milivojevic’s sloppy pass.
Silva must have feared his side’s best chance of securing three points had gone in the 77th minute when Schneiderlin picked up his second yellow card for a late foul on Milivojevic.
And so it proved, while Palace, led by Zaha, tried in vain to force a breakthrough as both teams left with a point.
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2): Guaita 6.5; Ward 6.5, Kelly 6.5, Dann 7, Van Aanholt 7; Townsend 7, McArthur 6.5, Milivojevic 6.5, Meyer 7; Ayew 6.5 (Zaha 65min, 6.5), Benteke 6 (Wickham 83). Booked: Milivojevic, Meyer. Subs (not used): Hennessey, Kouyate, McCarthy, Camarasa, Cahill. EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Pickford 7.5; Coleman 6.5, Keane 7, Mina 6.5, Digne 7; Schneiderlin 6, Gomes 6 (Gbamin 45, 6.5); Bernard 7, Sigurdsson 7 (Davies 79), Richarlison 6.5; Calvert-Lewin 6 (Kean 69, 6). Booked: Bernard. Sent off: Schneiderlin (76min). Subs (not used): Lossl, Holgate, Walcott, Tosun. Referee: J Moss (West Yorkshire) 6.