Everton took another big step towards securing their Premier League status for next season with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
It was the hosts who dominated much of the early proceedings in this match on Saturday (15 February), and they though they had gone ahead when Jefferson Lerma headed in a corner.
The ball was however deemed to have gone out of play for a goal kick before reaching the midfielder, giving David Moyes’ side a let off.
There was another one for the Toffees when Ismaila Sarr rattled the crossbar from close range, and Everton would take the lead just a minute later.
Charly Alcaraz pounced on a loose throw in from Tyrick Mitchell to play Beto in one-on-one, with the in-form striker making no mistake to ensure his side took a 1-0 lead into half-time.
Crystal Palace though would equalise immediately after the break, as Jean-Philippe Mateta fired in after the visitors could only half-clear a corner.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
But with ten minutes of normal time remaining, the Toffees did get back in front, as Alcaraz fired home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
That proved to be enough for Moyes’ men to secure all three points, moving the Merseyside club 13 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Everton defence face plenty of pressure at Selhurst Park
Here’s how Football Insider rated the performance of each Everton player following their clash with Crystal Palace.
Jordan Pickford – 8
Came up with some big saves to keep his side level after some lapses from the defence in front of him in the early stages.
Jake O’Brien – 5
Felt like a challenging evening for the right-back with Palace looking to work a lot down through his right-back area.
James Tarkowski – 6
After the high of his equaliser for Everton against Liverpool, endured a much tougher evening defensively here in the first half especially.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 6
Had some uncharacteristically nervy moments as the Toffees felt the pressure of Palace’s attack for much of the first half.
Vitaly Mykolenko – 6
Like most of his side’s defence he did seem nervy for large parts of the game, but managed to see things out for the win.
Idrissa Gana Gueye 5
Not a great performance from the midfielder who was quiet as Everton struggled for control in the centre of the park.
Abdoulaye Doucoure missing suspended after Merseyside derby drama
James Garner 4
Like his midfield partner had a difficult evening, looked exposed at times from a defensive perspective and was booked.
Jesper Lindstrom (off for Young ’79) – 6
Tried to get forward and make things happen at times but couldn’t really find much of an end product.
Charly Alcaraz (off for Iroegbunam ’86) – 8
Brought in for his first start for the club with Abdoulaye Doucoure suspended following his Merseyside derby celebrations. Showed good awareness to win possession and set up Beto for the opener, and a composed finish to win it.
Jack Harrison – 5
In for the injured Iliman Ndiaye and struggled to look like the same attacking threat as the man he replaced in the lineup.
Things clicking for the Toffees’ last remaining centre-forward
Beto – 9 – Man of the Match
Continued his excellent recent form as the lead centre-forward for Everton to open the scoring, having been short on service prior to that. Covered a huge amount of ground as a centre-forward outlet, maybe should have had more than one goal to his name. Key with Broja and Calvert-Lewin injured.
Substitutes
Ashley Young (on for Alcaraz ’79) – 6
Helped to see things out after coming on for his side’s matchwinner.
Tim Iroegbunam (on for Lindstron, ’86) – 5
Came on late and helped the backs to the wall job as Everton secured the win.
