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Apr 13, 2016 at 8pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton - as it happened

Relive the goalless draw between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park with our live text updates.
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Crystal Palace and Everton took home a point apiece after failing to make their goalscoring chances count at Selhurst Park on Wednesday evening.

Roberto Martinez's side had to play the final 40 minutes with 10 men after James McCarthy was sent off for a second bookable offence, but they managed to restrict Palace.

Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.


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Evening all! Midweek games tend to be reserved for Champions League and Europa League matches, and while that remains the case, we also have some Premier League activity! The only top-flight game in the calendar tonight is a clash between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park. Both have FA Cup semi-finals next weekend, but they need to rectify their league form first!

Palace have had a frustrating 2016 having claimed just the one league victory and that was last weekend in the form of a 1-0 triumph over Norwich City. Before that, they went 14 games without picking up a win, so they are somewhat on the up! Alan Pardew's side sit 16th in the standings, but they are 10 points above the bottom three so there should not be too much of a worry with regards to relegation.

As for Everton, well it is not a happy place in the blue half of Merseyside at the moment. Manager Roberto Martinez is coming under increasing pressure from the supporters, so much so, that a banner reading 'Martinez out' was unfurled at the away end prior to Everton's 1-1 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road last Saturday. The club sit 14th in the league table, and with seven games left to play, Everton are in danger of finishing lower than last season's 11th-placed position.

Right, before we go much further, the teams have been announced. So, who will be lining up on the Selhurst Park pitch tonight...

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Zaha, Cabaye, Jedinak, Puncheon, Bolasie; Gayle
Subs: McCarthy, Kelly, Lee, Ledley, Sako, Adebayor, Wickham

EVERTON XI: Joel; Baines, Funes Mori, Stones, Coleman; Barry, McCarthy; Kone, Barkley, Lennon; Lukaku
Subs: Howard, Oviedo, Mirallas, Niasse, Besic, Deulofeu, Pienaar

Alan Pardew has made just the one change to the Palace team that beat Norwich City at the weekend. Wilfried Zaha has come in for Bakary Sako. As normal, Wayne Hennessey takes a spot in goal, with Joel Ward, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney and Pape Souare in defence. Zaha joins Yohan Cabaye, Mile Jedinak, Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie in midfield. Dwight Gayle leads the line for the Eagles.

As for Everton, Roberto Martinez has made two changes. Ramiro Funes Mori will partner John Stones in defence as a replacement for Phil Jagielka, who is ruled out with a hamstring injury. Arouna Kone is the only other change to the team that drew 1-1 with Watford at the weekend. He comes into the attack, replacing Gerard Deulofeu, who drops to the bench.

With regards to the rest of the field, Joel Robles will take his place in goal. Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman will occupy the full-back spots, while Gareth Barry and James McCarthy will hold in midfield. Kone joins Ross Barkley and Aaron Lennon in an attacking trio behind striker Romelu Lukaku.

Let's begin with Palace, shall we? The start of the season went somewhat smoothly as they managed to win half of their opening 10 games in the Premier League, and after a four-game unbeaten run in December, things started to go wrong. They went 14 games without picking up a single victory and in six of them they failed to get on the scoresheet. Overall, Pardew oversaw his side record five draws and nine defeats.

To be fair to Palace, five of those defeats came against Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and potential champions Leicester City - all of whom would have been favourites heading into a game against the Eagles. It was defeats against Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Watford and West Bromwich Albion that raised question marks.

The game against the Baggies was a particularly frustrating one for Palace as they went 3-0 down inside the first half an hour following goals from Craig Gardner, Craig Dawson and Saido Berahino, but the Eagles managed to bounce back through Connor Wickham, who scored in the 48th minute and the 80th, but it was not enough to inspire a comeback.

Last weekend, things looked rosier for Palace as they managed to overcome Norwich City with a single goal from Jason Puncheon. He netted in the 68th minute and that proved to be enough to take home all three points. It was a fairly even game as both sides had a decent share of the possession, and despite Norwich having one more shot on target (6) than their opponents, Palace only needed one to convert.

Despite it being a rather difficult period for the team, Pardew is keen to sign a new contract with the Eagles. The former Newcastle United boss joined Palace on a three-and-a-half-year deal in January 2015, but hopes to extend it when the season comes to a close.

"Once we're safe hopefully I'll sign a new contract here, because I want to stay," Pardew told reporters.

"[Winning] gives everybody a lift. We weren't expecting that [14-game winless] run to go on as long as it went on. The confidence levels, hopefully, have gone up, and our nervousness has disappeared."

Alan Pardew ahead of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Norwich City on April 9, 2016© Getty Images


One other member at Selhurst Park is also expected to sign a new deal, and that is striker Dwight Gayle. It has not yet been confirmed, but Pardew has revealed that the 25-year-old has agreed to stay until 2019. It is a far cry from last summer when the club appeared to be ready to part ways with the player. It is believed that Palace accepted a £9m bid from Bristol City for Gayle, but the striker opted against making the move. He has struggled for first-team action this season due to injury, but he is clearly a player that Palace want to tie down.

Dwight Gayle of Crystal Palace in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on September 12, 2015© Getty Images


Let's switch our attention to Everton. It was not that long ago that people were raving about Martinez's tactics and creating a free-flowing side at Goodison Park, but something does not appear to be clicking anymore. Everton have claimed just one league victory in six games and they are languishing 14th in the table. Given the calibre of players that they have in their ranks - players like Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley - it is bizarre that the team are not picking up the results that they need.

Leighton Baines gave an interesting account as to why the team might be failing on the pitch. The left-back said in an interview with the Liverpool Echo that there is a lack of chemistry between the players. Let's remind you of what he claimed.

He told the newspaper: "I just don't feel as though the chemistry is quite there with the team on the pitch at the moment, and it hasn't been for a while.

"We are maybe leaning too heavily on individuals to come up with something. Results have had an impact on that, because chemistry and confidence go hand in hand."


Martinez was not best pleased with Baines's comments and the left-back apologised to the club. It doesn't seem as though the fans had a problem with the player's remarks, though, as a group of them displayed a banner that read 'Baines is one of us' at Vicarage Road last weekend. It appears as though Martinez is quickly losing support from the fans and it raises questions over his long-term future.

Supporters protest against Roberto Martinez during the Premier League game between Watford and Everton on April 9, 2016© Getty Images


On Monday, Goal.com reported that the Everton hierarchy are considering other options should they decide to part ways with Martinez. It was claimed in the report that former Chile and Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa could be a contender for the position. Bielsa has been out of work since leaving Marseille after the first game of the season in August. He reportedly held talks with Swansea City in December as he is keen to work in the Premier League.

Not only are there reports of managerial changes, Everton may face a battle to hold on to some of their star players this summer. Lukaku has already admitted that he could leave Goodison Park in order to fulfil a dream of playing Champions League football. Ross Barkley is also likely to be named in the transfer gossip pages, while the club could also find themselves in a saga involving John Stones. The defender was the subject of four failed bids from Chelsea last summer, but given that his form has dropped slightly, in remains to be seen whether he will attract the same level of interest.

So what's happening on the pitch for Everton at the moment? Well, they have lost four of their last six games in the top flight. Added to that, they have conceded the most headed goals (12) than any other team in the Premier League. The positive side of things is that they have only lost twice on the road this season, and the have the best shot conversion rate in the division given that they have scored with 18% of their attempts.

HEAD TO HEAD: In their last five meetings, Everton have managed to claim just one victory over Palace. The last time that these two sides met was earlier this season when they played out a 1-1 draw at Goodison. The scorers on the day were Scott Dann and Lukaku, who has scored in each of his last three games against Palace.

We have five minutes to go until kickoff! The two teams are in the tunnel, ready to emerge onto the field. Fingers crossed for a good game!

KICKOFF! We're underway at Selhurst Park! Mike Jones is the referee for this one.

Palace have shown intent in these early stages. A long ball is sent over and Gayle spots it with a surging run. Robles manages to come off his line to clear the danger.

Souare storms down the left and finds space before sending a cross into the area. The ball falls to the back post and Lennon clears for a corner. The ball is whipped in and it's initially cleared, but only to Puncheon, who wins another corner.

SAVE! The corner is whipped in and cleared by Stones, but Bolasie manages to latch onto the ball and shoots from 20 yards. Robles drops down to make the stop.

CHANCE! At the other end, Zaha picks up a loose pass from Barkley and directs the ball into Gayle, who shoots first time in the box. The ball heads towards the top corner, but in nicks the post and out for a goal kick.

At the other end, Barkley finds space in the box and sets himself up for a shot from eight years out, but Ward comes across and blocks his effort. A very lively start to the game!

Everton try to slow the game down by keeping possession of the ball. The visitors are knocking the ball back and forth to quieten Palace's blistering start.

Oh dear. Barkley hasn't started the game well. He gives the ball away to Zaha, who surges into the penalty area, but Baines manages to get there and stop him in his tracks.

Baines is involved again as Bolasie tries to get away from the left-back down the line. He attempts to chip the ball into the area, but Baines makes a block.

BOOKING! McCarthy is the first to receive a yellow card tonight. It's a reckless lunge on Cabaye. The referee let play go on but eventually booked the midfielder.

Palace have dominated the game so far and they look the most likely to open the scoring. Everton get some time on the ball, though, as Coleman cuts in from the right and tries to find the back of the net with a 22-yard shot, but Hennessey easily collects.

SAVE! Coleman does better this time! Baines manages to hold the ball up at the back post and passes to his teammate, who connects with the ball on the volley, but Hennessey pushes the ball clear.

CHANCE! We're end to end again! Zaha shows his pace by breaking away from Baines before taking a shot from a tight angle. He doesn't reach the target, though, as the ball soars over the crossbar.

Everton are looking more in the game now, but neither side have managed to break the deadlock. Bolasie wastes an opportunity as his cross into the area gets nowhere near Gayle.

CHANCE! Kone charges onto a loose ball from 22 yards out and sends a thunderous shot towards the net, but the ball flies over the bar.

SAVE! More threat from Everton. Lukaku latches onto a through-ball from Barkley, but Hennessey reads it well and blocks the shot.

Coleman spots an opening and unleashes a 25-yard shot, but Dann manages to get a touch and slows down the pace of the attempt. The ball then loops into the hands of the keeper.

WIDE! So close from Gayle! The striker attempts a scissor kick from 15 yards out after Everton's defence failed to clear a long ball into the area. It's a great effort from Gayle, but it drifts just wide of the post.

Everton have not displayed much zest in midfield this evening and it's very comfortable for Palace to sit back and soak it up.

CHANCE! Some poor passing from Everton allows Palace to counter-attack. Zaha charges to the byline and crosses into the penalty area, but Funes Mori gets a foot on the ball and it loops over the bar.

Palace win a corner thanks to some hard work from Zaha. Stones concedes it and the ball is whipped in from Puncheon, but Everton clear.

Cabaye takes a free kick for the hosts and whips the ball into the box. It's heading towards Gayle, who leaps for it, but Robles punches the ball away from danger.

HALF-TIME: PALACE 0-0 EVERTON

The referee blows his whistle and we enter the half-time break goalless. Palace jumped out of the blocks from the first minute, leaving Everton lagging behind. The hosts had numerous chances to open the scoring, but they struggled to see it through and it allowed their opponents to get a foothold in the game. While Palace had the better opportunities, Everton had a handful of goalscoring chances, but like their competitors, they could not find a way through. We'll return for the second half shortly.

RESTART! Everton get the second half underway! We'll we see some goals or are we destined for a stalemate? Let's find out!

PALACE SUB: Pardew has made one change at the break as Wickham replaces Gayle, who it seems suffered an injury in the first half.

Zaha and Cabaye link up well before the ball is played out wide to Bolasie, who cuts inside from the left before trying to curl the ball into the net but his attempt goes over the bar.

OFF THE BAR! Barkley is inches away from opening the scoring as he unleashes a shot from 20 yards out. It looks as though it's curling into the net, but it smashes off the crossbar.

SENT OFF! JAMES MCCARTHY

Everton are down to 10 men after McCarthy is shown a second yellow card. The midfielder steps in front of Bolasie to block him and after getting booked, a red card is shown. He can't have any complaints there!

EVERTON SUB: As expected, Martinez makes a change to make up for losing McCarthy. Besic comes into the midfield and he replaces Kone.

Everton win a free kick as Jedinak brings Lennon down from just outside the centre circle. The visitors take their time, though, as they change their approach following McCarthy's sending-off.

Despite being a man down, Everton seem comfortable on the pitch. For some reason, Palace's tempo has slowed down a bit. They're not quite making the most of their extra-man advantage.

SAVES! Palace pick things up! Jedinak plays in Puncheon, who attempts a first-time shot, but Robles makes a stop. The danger is not gone for Everton, though, as Cabaye follows up with a shot from the edge of the area. Robles saves again.

CHANCE! A missed opportunity for Everton! The visitors earn a corner and it's whipped in to find Stones, who gets a header on target, but it goes straight to the keeper.

PALACE SUB: Pardew makes a change as Adebayor replaces Bolasie.

Puncheon tries his luck with a shot after switching onto his left foot, but Robles manages to make a stop. Is there going to be a winner here?!

EVERTON SUB: It's the end of Lennon's night as Oviedo comes on to replace him.

Another chance for Palace as Puncheon finds Adebayor at the back post. The striker manages to get a head on the ball, but his effort goes wide. It's quite baffling that we're still goalless!

Everton try to make things happen as they win a corner off Barkley's deflected shot. Baines whips the ball into the area, but Palace manage to clear the danger.

Adebayor tries to set up Puncheon after turning swiftly in the area, but he can't quite get his pass away and the chance goes missing. The Togolese forward has caused some trouble since coming on.

Chances at both ends as Adebayor knocks the ball down for Wickham, who mistimes his shot, and at the other end of the pitch, Funes Mori unleashes a shot, but Hennessey does enough to keep the ball from bulging into the net.

EVERTON SUB: The visitors make their final change as Mirallas comes on to replace Barkley.

Palace are putting Everton under pressure, but the visitors are managing to keep them out. We're running out of time to find a winner!

BOOKING! Barry goes into the book for a lunge on Cabaye.

FULL-TIME: PALACE 0-0 EVERTON

So there we have it. We finish all square at Selhurst Park even though both teams created chances to claim that all-important winner. There were some handbags at the end, though! Puncheon and Coleman exchanged a few words, but it didn't get completely out of hand. Well, thanks for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!

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Alan Pardew ahead of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Norwich City on April 9, 2016
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