Player Ratings: Ismaila Sarr stars as Crystal Palace draw with Everton | OneFootball

Crystal Palace Fight Back to Earn Draw Against Everton

Crystal Palace staged a spirited comeback to secure a 2-2 draw with Everton at Selhurst Park, leaving both sides with plenty to reflect on ahead of the final Premier League fixtures.

Early Everton Advantage

Everton struck early when James Tarkowski capitalised on a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall corner in the sixth minute. The ball was flicked on to the back post, allowing Tarkowski to finish from close range and give Oliver Glasner’s side an early lead.

Crystal Palace responded with determination, and Ismaila Sarr restored parity in the 34th minute. His deflected effort from the rebound managed to beat Jordan Pickford, signalling that the Eagles were not content to sit back.

Second Half Swings

Everton regained the lead just two minutes into the second half. Tarkowski delivered a long pass that found Beto, who ran at the Palace defence, held off Maxence Lacroix, and slotted the ball through Dean Henderson’s legs. It was a clinical finish that reminded fans of Everton’s potential in the top half of the table, with eighth place still within reach depending on other results and the FA Cup final.

Palace, despite their European focus after qualifying for the Conference League final against Shakhtar Donetsk, pressed for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Tyrick Mitchell’s cross was not dealt with effectively by Everton. The ball fell to Jean-Philippe Mateta, who powered a precise shot into the top corner to salvage a valuable point.

Photo: IMAGO

Player Ratings

Crystal Palace: Dean Henderson 6, Chris Richards 5, Maxence Lacroix 6, Jaydee Canvot 5, Daniel Munoz 8, Tyrick Mitchell 6, Adam Wharton 6, Daichi Kamada 7, Ismaila Sarr 9, Brennan Johnson 4, Jorgen Strand Larsen 4.

Everton: Jordan Pickford 7, Jake O’Brien 5, James Tarkowski 6, Michael Keane 5, Vitalii Mykolenko 5, Tim Iroegbunam 4, James Garner 7, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 4, Merlin Rohl 5, Iliman N’Diaye 8, Beto 8