FA Cup: Palace and Everton will go again
Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Everton
The FA Cup third round weekend started with a rather boring 0-0 draw between Palace and Everton. The game wasn't without controversy though.
Everton have lodged an appeal against the red card given to Dominic Calvert-Lewin during their goalless draw against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third-round.
If the appeal is unsuccessful, Calvert-Lewin could miss not only the third-round replay but also upcoming Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa and Fulham. The striker is facing a three-match ban due to his dismissal following a sliding challenge on Nathaniel Clyne, as determined by a VAR review during the second half.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially did not award a free-kick, but after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, he deemed there was enough contact with Clyne's shin to warrant Calvert-Lewin's dismissal.
Magic of the FA Cup: 2023/2024 (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Calvert-Lewin, who hasn't scored in his last 12 matches, missed a clear-cut chance earlier in the game, shooting weakly at home goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The match also saw Everton's winger Dwight McNeil suffer a seemingly serious leg injury, requiring him to be carried off on a stretcher late in the game.
Despite a long period of injury time, neither team managed to break the deadlock. Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia made a crucial save to deny Eberechi Eze's late attempt for Crystal Palace.
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In the context of team line-ups, Everton faced challenges with injuries to key players, including Dwight McNeil. Additionally, Brazilian winger Matheus Franca, making his first start since his move from Flamengo, showed promise with a purposeful run in the first half.
The match ended in a draw, with both teams having equal attempts on target and corners. Everton, currently without a win in their last five matches across all competitions, will face Crystal Palace again in a replay at Goodison Park later this month.
Everton fans disagree with VAR decision
Sarah, an Everton fan, told us: "Certainly not a red card. Tackles appear more severe in slow motion than they truly are. There was no malicious intent; he was simply going for the ball. It's an unfair decision against us."
James was in the away end at Crystal Palace, he added: "Never a red card, appalling decision. I’m all for eliminating dangerous fouls from the game, but giving a red card for that is a joke."
George Waters added on Facebook: "Me and all the other Everton fans that I know are very angry. That was never a sending off, and I'm glad that we're appealing."
Were Crystal Palace fans bored with this performance?
Save everyone the time and effort and just forfeit it pls
— Ollie (@TalkCPFC) January 4, 2024
Frankie, a Palace fan, told us: "I appreciate that things could be far worst for us but that was one of the worst games I have ever seen. At times, it felt like we had zero ambition."
Thomas, another Palace fan, added: "Even when they had ten men, we never looked like we could win the match. At least Everton away is always a decent day out."
Rebecca, a Palace Season Ticket holder, messaged us this on Facebook: "It's functional at times but isn't very exciting is it?"
Watch the highlights
You can watch the best bits from the match in the video below. Footage from Everton Football Club - YouTube
