‘Lots of positives’ – Paddy McCarthy delivers verdict on Palace’s draw at Everton as Oliver Glasner watches on

Crystal Palace co-caretaker boss Paddy McCarthy believes incoming manager Oliver Glasner would have seen a lot of positives from their 1-1 draw at Everton on Monday night.

The Eagles went ahead in the 66th minute when Odsonne Edouard headed on Sam Johnstone’s clearance forward for Jean-Philippe Mateta. 

The French forward held off the Everton defence as the ball was knocked towards Jordan Ayew, who unleashed an effort from the edge of the box to open the scoring.

Everton equalised in the 83rd minute when Dwight McNeil swung a corner into the penalty box for substitute Amadou Onana to meet at the back post to score.

McCarthy co-managed the game alongside Ray Lewington after Roy Hodgson stepped down from his position earlier on Monday afternoon.

“It was a wonderful goal by Jordan,” McCarthy told SkySports.

“Unfortunately, in the end, we couldn’t hold out. We knew Everton would pose us some questions with set plays, but we just didn’t answer them until the end.

“Disappointed to have conceded the goal, but we’re happy with the point and we will move on.

“There is lots of quality in the squad and he’s coming into a squad with a lot of character and spirit, like they have shown today.”

Palace kept the five-point gap to the bottom four with new manager Oliver Glasner watching on from the stands alongside Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman.

He added: “I’m sure he’s seen lots of positives when he was looking down on the team today and I’m sure he can’t wait to get to work with them.

“The players are flexible and we have played a number of different systems this season – we have flexibility within the squad to play a back five or a back four.

“I’m sure he’ll enjoy working with this great group of lads.”