In a tightly contested FA Cup third-round tie at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace and Everton played out a goalless draw, with the game’s major talking point being the controversial dismissal of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The match, which failed to produce a winner, sets the stage for a replay at Goodison Park to decide who advances to the next round.
Key Moments of the Match
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Red Card: The key moment came in the 79th minute when Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off after a VAR review for a tackle on Nathaniel Clyne. The decision by referee Chris Kavanagh to hand Calvert-Lewin a straight red card, despite minimal contact, was seen as harsh and a pivotal point in the game.
- Injury Concerns: Everton’s challenges were compounded when Dwight McNeil was stretchered off with a leg injury, although manager Sean Dyche later confirmed the midfielder was “OK”.
- Goalkeeping Heroics: Both goalkeepers played pivotal roles in keeping the scoreline level. Palace’s Dean Henderson, named the player of the match, and Everton’s Joao Virginia, standing in for the rested Jordan Pickford, made crucial saves throughout the game.
Team Performances and Strategies
- Crystal Palace: Managed by Roy Hodgson, Palace handed a first start to 19-year-old Brazilian winger Matheus Franca. Despite being without Michael Olise and Jordan Ayew, the Eagles maintained a solid formation, focusing on quick transitions but struggled to break down Everton’s defense.
- Everton: Under the guidance of Sean Dyche, Everton began the match assertively, creating early chances and looking more likely to score. The team adapted to a four-player defense and showed resilience after going down to ten men, continuing to seek a winning goal.
Post-Match Reactions
- Sean Dyche’s Frustration: Everton’s manager expressed his dissatisfaction with VAR, questioning the effectiveness of referees being called to the monitor and the system’s current state.
- Roy Hodgson’s View: Hodgson described the red card as a “modern-day” decision, indicating a shift in how such tackles are perceived and judged in contemporary football.
Looking Ahead
Both teams now prepare for their upcoming Premier League fixtures, with Crystal Palace visiting Arsenal and Everton hosting Aston Villa. The FA Cup replay will see Palace travel to Goodison Park, with both teams aiming to progress to the fourth round.
