It is probably just as well these clubs have FA Cup semi-finals on the horizon to enthuse them because, at present, there is precious little joy for either to be had in the Premier League. The point secured here was arguably a minor triumph for Everton, a team whose top-flight form has rather collapsed of late, given they played most of the second period a man down. Even so, both these sides are staggering towards an unsatisfactory conclusion to the campaign.
Roberto Martínez, perhaps inevitably, would disagree but his insistence that the timing of his team’s performance had been “perfect” felt rather baffling. Admittedly there was much to admire in their rugged refusal to wilt when Crystal Palace finally built up a head of steam late on. The goalkeeper, Joel Robles, was outstanding and the centre-half pairing shielding him were stubborn and effective.
“It’s great to see we’re learning from hard lessons,” Martínez said, “and to keep a clean sheet and manage the game in that way was perfect timing. It’s now you want to hit your top level. You want to shine in the last few weeks of the season and we showed the solid approach today.”
Yet, given this was a contest between teams who now have four league wins between them from 26 games in 2016, to hear him lavishing such praise on the display was more a reflection of Everton’s recent lull. His team had offered flashes of their threat as Ross Barkley struck the crossbar from distance, might have won a penalty when Séamus Coleman was tripped, and tested Wayne Hennessey throughout the first period. But their approach was undermined by James McCarthy’s dismissal for fouls on Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie to ensure the last 38 minutes became an exercise in concentration. There is probably no easier team in the division to nullify with depleted numbers, though, than this gummy Palace lineup.
It was the sight of the hosts’ substitutes combining nine minutes from time that best summed it all up. Emmanuel Adebayor rose gracefully above his marker on the corner of the six-yard box and nodded down for Connor Wickham with Everton momentarily out of shape and there for the taking. The opportunity seemed easier to take than miss, only for Wickham to mistime a swipe with his right foot and scuff the ball on to his standing leg. The majority inside the arena howled in frustration, though they will have recognised the profligacy. Palace’s approach play can be exhilarating but there is no consistent bite with which to capitalise.
Alan Pardew pointed to the rustiness affecting Wickham, recently back from a thigh complaint, and Dwight Gayle. Adebayor, too, has been struggling for fitness and he guided a series of late headers wide. Puncheon might also have added to Saturday’s much-needed winner against Norwich City, but the zip had gone from Palace’s approach. Both Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha had off-nights.
“They’ve been the key to this team since I’ve been here, and have to offer a bit more for us than they did out there,” said the manager. Certainly the collective will have to raise their game if they are to claim anything from daunting trips to Arsenal and Manchester United in the week ahead.
The date with Watford at Wembley follows those games and, 11 points clear of the bottom three, at least Palace can approach that occasion with more optimism that they have done enough to remain in the division after their recent 14-match winless run. “Five points from the last three is not too bad,” added Pardew. “We have to accept that after the run we’ve been on.” Yet Watford, another side on the slide, will hardly be quaking in their boots and neither will Manchester United at the prospect of confronting Everton. That is telling.
