Match report: Andre Gomes scores Everton’s first free kick in five seasons as the team defeats Crystal Palace, giving Everton their first victory over top-tier competition in the third round since they defeated Sheffield Wednesday in 1988.
The first goal at Goodison Park by Everton player Andre Gomes in nearly five years ended a dismal FA Cup third-round replay against Crystal Palace.
The game did nothing to enliven the 37,796 resilient spectators despite the sub-zero temperatures, but the real highlight was Gomes’ goal, which was the Toffees’ first from a direct free-kick in 197 games since August 2019.
Gomes’ lengthy goalless streak at home was even longer than Lucas Digne’s Carabao Cup set-piece against Lincoln in August 2019, but the wait was well worth it.
After Jeffrey Schlupp initially fouled the Portuguese 25 yards away, the team seized ownership of the situation and curled a magnificent effort over the wall and in off the post.
It was well worth achieving after three games without a goal to give Everton their first victory over top-tier opponents in the third round since they defeated Sheffield Wednesday in 1988.
Everton displays character throughout a trying week.
Due to their winter break, Palace had two weeks to prepare after the dull goalless draw of the first match. Everton had three days, and this rerun ate into their own break.
Manager Sean Dyche rested goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and made four changes from Sunday’s goalless draw with Aston Villa, two of which were forced because Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Doucoure both had injuries.
Throughout his five-year tenure at the club, his deputy, Joao Virginia, made a number of excellent saves to preserve a clean sheet, maybe his best performance to date.
Gomes, who was used in Doucoure’s place just behind the striker, adopted a more composed and low-key style of play that frequently left Dominic Calvert-Lewin alone.
The England striker, who had gone almost 17 hours without a goal, had an early chance, but Sam Johnstone deflected his near-post shot back before he could see a hopeful cross from Jack Harrison sail over his head.
The final ball quality was always a source of frustration because it was nearly always overhit, which meant that Calvert-Lewin would often have to chase lost causes down the channels.
In the last third, however, Palace possessed far more control because of the play of Eberechi Eze, a player whose straight running created possibilities. One such instance was when he sidestepped Vitalii Mykolenko but was unable to test Virginia, and Schlupp mishandled a pass from Jefferson Lerma.
Schlupp, however, was to play a more crucial role on the opposite end, as the Portuguese were able to avenge their loss thanks to his needless tackle of Gomes as he made a lone move towards the penalty area.
Tyrick Mitchell was denied by Virginia with a smart save, and the team was relieved when Eze was unexpectedly substituted in the 65th minute, causing the visiting supporters to yell at manager Roy Hodgson, “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
But when Virginia made a great save to keep Odsonne Edouard’s shot safe on the turn, they were nearly proven wrong.
Lewis Dobbin, who replaced Gomes, had a header deflected wide, but Calvert-Lewin’s angled attempt across goal extended his goalless streak to over three months.
Virginia, though, had the last word as she secured a home tie against fellow Premier League struggling team Luton with two vital saves in added time.
Dyche discloses Doucoure’s hamstring injury
After missing five games due to a hamstring injury, Abdoulaye Doucoure is back, but manager Sean Dyche has announced that the player will miss more time due to a hamstring injury sustained on Sunday against Aston Villa.
He stated, “We are aware of Gomes’s extremely up-and-down period due to injuries.”
“He wasn’t sure if he would be here or not at the moment, so I told him when he returned (during the preseason) that I could see him being a part of what we do.
Finding the ideal position for him is the challenge; we know he can play. Although we know he can handle the ball in there and make his way into the game, I don’t think he is truly number ten.”
Regarding Virginia, who performed admirably in the first tie as well, Dyche continued, “I believe he has come a long way this season.
“He made well-informed judgments, saved well from Mitchell in the first half, and made a nice stop from Jeffrey Schlupp in the second half.”
Hodgson is aware of the ire of Palace fans.
Roy Hodgson, the manager of Crystal Palace, had no qualms with his choice to bench his top player in favor of players like Eberechi Eze for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Arsenal.
“I recognize that there is still a long way to go for the supporters. Being one of our greatest players, I would have been unhappy to see Eze go off, but I would have been just as disappointed if he had played another 35 minutes, sustained an injury, and then rested for Arsenal.
“We had three or four goal opportunities in the final thirty minutes of the game. I felt that we deserved better on this particular day than to lose.
“The main issue we had was that we had to go home at 2 a.m. on Saturday because we had an Arsenal game at 12:30.
After 60 minutes, and then after 70 minutes, I was able to save three of the really crucial players for the weekend.
“As it will be a really significant game, we should be in a somewhat better position to face Arsenal.”
After eight years of failing to go past the third round, Hodgson said, “It’s our own responsibility.”
“We would have won the game at home if our goal had been to move on in the cup without incident. We were compelled to replay since we drew 0-0 instead of winning.”
Virginia makes an impression once more.
“Until the very end, Palace remained a threat. That second goal was just what Everton needed to give them some breathing room.
“Dyche will want to work on a few small things in order to control those closing minutes, but with a home match against Luton in the fourth round as compensation, they should feel like they have a chance to advance.
“It’s significant that Everton has achieved another victory. Three consecutive clean sheets are the foundation of triumph.
“This semester, they have had excellent defensive performances. More than anybody else, their supporters deserve a 10-day vacation after such a trying week, and they should be pleased with their players tonight.
“First and foremost, Joao Virginia, who has proven to be an excellent backup for Jordan Pickford.”
Palace faces the same old issues
“It will give Everton confidence. Gomes’ goal was a well-executed free kick. The way Palace let the ball get away before that will dismay them.
“Given their positions at the bottom of the standings, I don’t think either team truly wants to advance to the next round, although Everton should feel more confident after this victory.
“There’s one thing about those Everton supporters: tonight was packed. They will be crucial to their continued success in the Premier League, and I believe they will remain up tonight.
“I saw some good things tonight, and Palace is still making opportunities.” Putting the ball in the net has been their issue for a long time. They lacked confidence right away.
“Hodgson made five changes with Arsenal in mind, but I believe they will be able to pull themselves out of danger if they get Olise back.”
What comes next?
Tuesday, January 30, at 7:45 p.m., is Everton’s Premier League visit to Fulham at Craven Cottage. In the Premier League, Arsenal will play Crystal Palace on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium. Kickoff is at 12.30 p.m.
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