‘As much satisfaction’ – Roy Hodgson’s verdict on Crystal Palace’s goalless draw with Everton
Roy Hodgson said he took “satisfaction” from Crystal Palace’s goalless draw with Everton as his side could have fallen to defeat in matches such as that in the past.
Eberechi Eze thought he had given the Eagles the lead in the 56th minute when he beat the offside trap and lifted the ball over Jordan Pickford. However, the Greenwich-born playmaker was offside.
The former QPR man went close again for Palace in the 75th minute, forcing England stopper Pickford into a save down low to his left.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Everton came closest to breaking the deadlock when Dominic Calvert-Lewin spun Joachim Andersen inside the area. But the England forward placed his shot just wide of Sam Johnstone’s goal.
Mason Holgate was sent off for the Toffees in the 79th minute after he brought down Jordan Ayew and was issued with a second yellow card.
Palace had 12 shots during the 90 minutes but failed to find a way past the Everton defence.
“It was a tough game – we expected it to be,” said Hodgson to Match of the Day.
“We knew they are very well drilled and have a clear plan and how they want to play, and we knew they would ask a lot of questions of us.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“For long parts, it did make the game a war of attrition. After our last three games, it’s not easy for the players to want to play that game.
“But it [the performance] gave me as much satisfaction – I’ve seen moments where we could lose games like that in the past.
“The back four and goalkeeper were superb throughout.
“If you had said to me when I walked through the door we will get enough points to keep in the Premier League on goal difference, I would’ve accepted that – that was the goal.
“So now we have 37 points and I’m not going to be satisfied with that.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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