Grealish Secures Late Decisive Goal as The Toffees Snap Palace's Undefeated Run
Oliver Glasner looked on in disbelief as his players reacted with shock to a dramatic last-minute turnaround at Goodison Park. Crystal Palace's lengthy unbeaten streak was broken thanks to the Everton midfielder's first goal for the Everton manager's team.
Opening Period Dominance by Palace
From the outset, the away side established their authority with long throws from Chris Richards and precise distribution by the midfielder. Everton faced early pressure, with Jordan Pickford—making his three-hundredth top-flight appearance for the club—called into action twice in the first two minutes.
The winger and the full-back both found space on the fringes of the box, but the England international stood firm. He later kept out Marc Guéhi from close range, with the defender slowing the effort.
The visitors continued to press, with the left-back striking the side-netting and Jean-Philippe Mateta testing the Everton keeper. Eventually, the deserved opening goal arrived.
Daniel Muñoz Breaks the Deadlock
Yeremy Pino held up the ball under pressure from two defenders before slipping in the Senegalese forward. The attacker drove forward and played a perfectly weighted pass to the overlapping Daniel Muñoz, who converted calmly for his second goal in two games.
The Home Side's Second-Half Revival
David Moyes made a double half-time changes, taking off new arrivals Thierno Barry and the winger. Their replacements, the striker and the midfielder, brought immediate energy to Everton's previously lackluster attack.
Despite the improvement, Palace squandered key chances to increase their lead. Jean-Philippe Mateta got through and chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper, only for the defender to clear off the line. Later, Sarr dribbled past Pickford but saw his attempt deflect to Mateta, who dragged his effort wide from 10 yards.
Penalty Levels the Match
Everton were handed a lifeline when Maxence Lacroix fouled Tim Iroegbunam in the box. Iliman Ndiaye took responsibility and deceived the Palace keeper the opposite direction from the penalty mark.
Jack Grealish Strikes at the Last Moment
With the game seemingly headed for a tie, the home side pushed for one last push. Carlos Alcaraz—instrumental in the second-half—released Ndiaye on the right. The scorer delivered a perfect cross into the six-yard box, where the substitute connected with a powerful header.
Henderson somehow parried the close-range header, but the rebound fell to Jack Grealish, who blocked Muñoz's clearance into the net. Palace's winning streak was over, concluding in heartbreaking circumstances.
