Jack Grealish Secures Late Winner as The Toffees End Crystal Palace's Undefeated Run
The Palace manager watched in disbelief as his players responded with disappointment to a stunning late turnaround at Goodison Park. Crystal Palace's 19-game unbeaten streak came to an end thanks to Jack Grealish's maiden goal for David Moyes' team.
First-Half Control by The Visitors
Early on, the away side imposed their control with set-pieces from the defender and incisive distribution by Adam Wharton. The hosts faced early attacks, with the Everton goalkeeper—making his three-hundredth top-flight appearance for the club—forced to save twice in the first two minutes.
The winger and the full-back both found space on the edge of the area, but Pickford stood firm. The keeper later denied Marc Guéhi from point-blank, with the defender taking the pace off the shot.
The visitors kept up the pressure, with Mitchell striking the outside of the goal and the striker forcing a save from Pickford. In due course, the merited opening goal arrived.
Muñoz Breaks the Deadlock
Yeremy Pino shielded the ball under challenges from two defenders before slipping in the Senegalese forward. Sarr carried forward and slid a well-measured pass to the overlapping Muñoz, who finished calmly for his second goal in two games.
The Home Side's After the Break Revival
David Moyes made two half-time changes, taking off summer signings the forward and Tyler Dibling. Their replacements, the striker and the midfielder, added instant impact to the team's previously sluggish attack.
Even with the uplift, Palace squandered clear-cut opportunities to extend their lead. Mateta got through and chipped the ball over Pickford, only for Jake O’Brien to clear off the line. Later, Ismaïla Sarr rounded the goalkeeper but saw his shot deflect to the striker, who pulled his effort wide from 10 yards.
Penalty Levels the Contest
The Toffees were awarded a way back when Maxence Lacroix fouled Tim Iroegbunam in the area. Iliman Ndiaye stepped up and sent the Palace keeper the wrong way from the penalty mark.
Grealish Scores at the Death
With the game seemingly destined for a tie, Everton launched one last push. Carlos Alcaraz—pivotal in the latter period—released Iliman Ndiaye on the right. Ndiaye delivered a perfect cross into the area, where the substitute met a towering header.
Dean Henderson miraculously parried the point-blank header, but the loose ball fell to Jack Grealish, who deflected Muñoz's attempted clearance into the goal. The Eagles' unbeaten streak was finished, concluding in heartbreaking fashion.
