Everton vs Crystal Palace: Player Ratings - Charly Alcaraz helps Everton end Palace’s undefeated streak | OneFootball

Everton ended Crystal Palace’s undefeated streak with a dramatic second-half turnaround in front of an ecstatic South Stand at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After yet another sedate first-half performance, which saw the Blues concede a goal through Daniel Munoz at the 37th minute, David Moyes was quick to turn things around with changes at the break.

Charly Alcaraz and Beto replaced Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry, and it led to the Blues finding their way back into the game. Alcaraz, in particular, brought so much intensity and energy and was the brightest figure on the pitch.

Tim Iroegbunam, who came on after the hour mark to replace the injured Michael Keane, won a penalty after being fouled inside the box, which Iliman Ndiaye coolly converted from the spot. He also moved to the right flank in the second half after an anonymous first-half performance at number 10, replacing the suspended Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Still chasing the winner late into the game, Jack Grealish secured the headlines with an opportunistic goal in the third minute of added time to send the fans into a frenzy. It was his first goal in a royal blue shirt, and despite the scrappy nature of the goal, nobody can undermine its significance.

The Toffees secured their first win in 36 days, bringing an end to a run of poor results, including a derby defeat at Anfield and a cup exit. While there are still several problems to be addressed with the team, the players and fans can rightly celebrate a fantastic win tonight.

Here are the player ratings from Everton’s 2-1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace:

Jordan Pickford: 8

On his 300th Premier League game, Jordan Pickford pulled off yet another imperious display in between the sticks. He kept Everton in the game with three decisive saves in the first half, and there’s little he could’ve done about Munoz’s opener.

Pickford also made himself big when Palace threatened the Everton box with long throws and set pieces in the dying minutes.

Jake O’Brien: 6

O’Brien had a torrid first half where he offered little offensively and was also lost positionally on a couple of occasions. However, he grew into the game in the second half and returned to his natural position at centre-back after Keane went off.

James Tarkowski: 6

Tarkowski could’ve probably done much better for the Palace goal. He committed himself high up the pitch, allowing Glasner’s side to break on a 3v2 counter-attack with Everton on the back foot. However, he made a couple of important blocks, held his own against Jean-Phillipe Mateta and dominated aerially.

Michael Keane (replaced by Tim Iroegbunam at 65’): 7

Keane was outstanding in the first half and didn’t put a foot wrong. He was one of the most composed players on the pitch and made several vital interceptions. He was forced off injured in the second half.

Vitalii Mykolenko: 5

Mykolenko seems like he’s still searching for match rhythm after suffering an injury in the initial stages of the season. He looked out of ideas and lost possession in the first half. He could’ve done much better for Munoz’s goal and left the Palace full-back completely open. The Ukrainian also wasted a few crossing opportunities and showcased his offensive limitations in the second half.

James Garner: 7

Much like Keane, Garner has hardly put a foot wrong this season and shone in this game once again. He delivered a delicious ball to Thierno Barry that should’ve been finished in the first half. Got moved to right-back after Keane’s injury and looked at home despite being played out of position once again.

Idrissa Gueye: 5

Gueye was wasteful in the first half and failed to prevent Adam Wharton from dominating the game. He had a better second half but it wasn’t one of his best performances.

Iliman Ndiaye (replaced by Seamus Coleman at 99’): 7

Ndiaye struggled in the number 10 role in the first half before being moved to the right, where he had more joy. He scored the penalty that brought the Blues back into the game and made his way to the byline late in the game and set up the ball to Beto that led to Grealish’s winner.

Tyler Dibling (replaced by Charly Alcaraz at halftime): 4

The summer signing from Southampton was barely involved in the first half. The game largely passed him by and Dibling might need time to grow into his role here at Everton.

Jack Grealish: 7

Jack Grealish has finally scored his first goal for the Blues and the loan signing could’ve hardly picked a better moment. His manager David Moyes had challenged him to increase his offensive output in the buildup to the game and Grealish has responded in kind.

Only Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo have more (9) goal contributions than Jack Grealish (5) this season in the Premier League.

Much like his teammates, Grealish also had a better second-half performance and was also smart to close the game out after scoring the winner.

Thierno Barry (replaced by Beto at halftime): 4

Barry wasted a dangerous counter-attack and also failed to get his foot on the end of a magnificent Garner cross. He failed to get the better of Marc Guehi and was rightly subbed off at half-time.

Substitutions

Charly Alcaraz: 8.5

Charly Alcaraz single-handedly came on and turned the game around for Everton. He brought an intensity and spark in the middle of the pitch that the Blues sorely lacked in the first half.

He won balls, led counters, made quick passes and runs and was unlucky not to find the back of the net in this game. It was an encouraging performance from the Argentine who has largely remained a peripheral figure so far this season and should see him rewarded with more minutes.

Beto: 7

Unlike many of his anonymous performances this season, Beto was clever dropping deep and getting involved in the buildup and kept things ticking for his side. It was his header from Ndiaye’s cross that led to Grealish scoring the winner after Henderson made a spectacular save.

Tim Iroegbunam: 7

Iroegbunam was a bright spark in the middle after coming on to replace Keane and won the penalty that led to Everton’s comeback. An encouraging display after a run of poor games for the 22-year-old midfielder.

Seamus Coleman: N/A

Reader Comments (4)

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Mick O'Malley 1 Posted 05/10/2025 at 19:12:43

Alcaraz turned the game for us when he came on, brought a great save out of Henderson and he played some clever passes in and around the box, surely he's done enough to start next game, he's a number 10 not a right winger, he's got a goal in him and can carry the ball when we break, he really stepped up today and was more than played his part

Nick Jones 2 Posted 05/10/2025 at 19:20:37

Nice to see Dithering Dave finally let Charlie play. About time, I do wonder what Moyes's problem is with Charlie.

Dibling had little effect as the team is left centred in the extreme.Jake released him once with a nice dinked ball, but Diblings cross easily gathered by the goalie. Barry ? Oof nothing stuck to the kid today, neither by chest or by foot, he’s a long way to go. Charly took centre stage, brave and aggressive with skill, work rate, super showing by him.Beto was a handful he doesn’t seem to be able to do it for 90 though. Couldn’t see a win today, that’s Palace and Brighton wondering how they walked away empty handed, some luck going our way in the new place, our goal is mostly living a charmed life.

Why do Everton start so many games on the back foot instead of the front foot.

I know Charley and Beto had a big influence on the second half but the whole team seemed to wake up.

We have to become a 90 minute team very quickly and I believe Charly and Beto deserve a run in the side.

Charly seems to suit Beto’s game and vice versa.