Everton vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance38,758.
Saturday 1 October 2016 09:41, UK
Romelu Lukaku and Christan Benteke scored as Crystal Palace came from behind to draw 1-1 at Everton on Friday Night Football.
Lukaku gave the hosts the lead with a 35th-minute free-kick, but Benteke replied with a brilliant header shortly after half-time.
Damien Delaney thought he had put Palace ahead on the hour mark, only to see the flag go up for offside after he headed past Maarten Stekelenburg.
The draw sees Everton move up to third in the Premier League ahead of the rest of the weekend's action.
Palace, meanwhile, extend their unbeaten league run to five matches and might be aggrieved not to have taken all three points after having the better of the second half.
Both sides made one change from their previous game, with Tom Cleverley replacing Kevin Mirallas for Everton and Wilfried Zaha coming in for Yohan Cabaye for Palace.
With interim England manager Gareth Southgate watching from the stands, Zaha looked to make an early impression against Everton's second-choice left-back Bryan Oviedo.
Yannick Bolasie also threatened at the other end against his former side, but both teams struggled to create clear chances in a cagey first half.
When the deadlock was broken in the 35th minute, Palace had cause for complaint as Phil Jagielka appeared to handle the ball before Damien Delaney was penalised for a high boot.
Lukaku made the most of the opportunity as he curled the free-kick over the wall, which did not jump, and into the net.
Palace struck back quickly after the break thanks to a brilliant header from Benteke, who nodded into the corner and beyond the reach of Stekelenburg.
Everton almost regained the lead when Bolasie cut back for Idrissa Gueye, but his close-range shot was blocked by Delaney.
From then on it was Palace who created the better chances.
They thought they had gone ahead when Delaney headed home, only for the flag to go up for offside, seemingly against James McArthur, who ran towards goal after the ball had been directed goalwards.
James Tomkins then should have done better when he failed to test Stekelenburg with a close-range effort.
Everton pressed in the closing stages but could not create any opportunities as the spoils were shared.
Player ratings
Everton: Stekelenburg (5), Coleman (6), Jagielka (6), Ashley Williams (6), Oviedo (6), Cleverley (6), Barry (6), Gueye (7), Bolasie (7), Lukaku (7), Barkley (5).
Subs: Mirallas (5), Funes Mori (5).
Crystal Palace: Mandanda (6), Ward (6), Tomkins (7), Delaney (6), Kelly (6), McArthur (6), Ledley (6), Townsend (5), Puncheon (6), Zaha (6), Christian Benteke (7).
Subs: Cabaye (5), Lee (5).
Man of the match: Christian Benteke
