Late Onana Header Rescues Everton in Thrilling Draw with Crystal Palace
Onana’s Moment of Magic
In a dramatic turn of events at Goodison Park, Amadou Onana’s emphatic header in the dying minutes snatched a vital point for Everton, lifting them out of the Premier League’s bottom three. The towering midfielder’s crucial goal came from a corner in the 84th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Ayew and Palace’s Moment of Brilliance
Earlier, Jordan Ayew had given Crystal Palace the lead with a stunning strike. His goal, a superb effort finding the far corner past Everton’s Jordan Pickford, appeared to have secured all three points for the visitors. Ayew’s magic on the field highlighted the attacking prowess that Palace possesses.
A Game of Missed Opportunities
The match was not short of chances. Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin came close in the first half, his header from Dwight McNeil’s cross just missing the mark. Crystal Palace’s duo, Chris Richards and Jean-Philippe Mateta, also saw their efforts heroically blocked on the line by Everton defenders James Tarkowski and Ashley Young.
Hodgson’s Departure and Glasner’s Arrival
In a significant off-field development, Crystal Palace announced the departure of manager Roy Hodgson, who was taken ill during Thursday’s training but is now thankfully out of hospital. Oliver Glasner, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss, has stepped in, signing a contract until June 2026. Glasner’s presence in the stands alongside chairman Steve Parish marked the beginning of a new era for Palace.
Palace’s Late-Game Woes Continue
Despite the managerial change, Palace’s familiar issue of conceding late goals surfaced again. They moved up to 15th with the draw but will rue the missed opportunity to secure a win, especially considering their recent record. The Eagles have now let in 17 goals in the last 15 minutes of Premier League games this season, a statistic only surpassed by Sheffield United.
Everton’s Resilience and Palace’s Challenges Ahead
Everton’s determination to fight back speaks volumes about their resilience and character under pressure. For Palace, the appointment of Glasner brings a fresh perspective, but addressing the late-game defensive lapses will be high on his agenda. As the Premier League season progresses, both Everton and Crystal Palace will look to build on this result, with their eyes set on climbing further up the table.
