Crystal Palace 0 Everton 0
Everton escaped with a point from a lacklustre goalless draw with Crystal Palace after midfielder James McCarthy was sent off at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.
McCarthy was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 52nd minute of a possible FA Cup final rehearsal following a clumsy collision with Yannick Bolasie after being booked for a heavy challenge on Yohan Cabaye.
Everton, who will meet Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals, came closest to scoring when Ross Barkley's shot bounced off the top of the bar but could not stop their winless league run which has stretched to five matches.
Palace, who meet Watford in the Cup semis, had more possession after McCarthy went off, but were happy to settle for a point in their third match unbeaten after ending a 13-match winless streak against Norwich City on Saturday.
The Toffees were forced to play almost 40 minutes a man light after James McCarthy was sent off after being shown two yellows.
But Everton and Robles mounted a rearguard action and held on to earn a point that took them to the 40-point mark.
RexOff you go: James McCarthy is given his marking orders
Everton expected much more from this season and this was not the victory that woul have given Martinez a lift ahead of his talks with new owner Farhad Moshiri this week.
But in the circumstances a point was not a bad one.
Palace’s first win in 14 league games against Norwich on Saturday edged them to the brink of safety and eased some of the tension and gloom around the club.
But Everton boss Roberto Martinez has been right under the cosh. The natives are getting restless following a season of underachievement in the league.
And the Toffees boss has been forced to urge fans to back the team rather than demand he be sacked – after being greeted by ‘Martinez out’ banners at recent matches, ahead of a defining period for the Merseysiders.
Everton face Southampton, Liverpool and Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and Martinez desperately needed some momentum from their trip to Palace going into that run, that starts on Saturday – not another setback.
- Reuters
Everton expected much more from this season and this was not the victory that woul have given Martinez a lift ahead of his talks with new owner Farhad Moshiri this week.
But in the circumstances a point was not a bad one.
Palace’s first win in 14 league games against Norwich on Saturday edged them to the brink of safety and eased some of the tension and gloom around the club.
But Everton boss Roberto Martinez has been right under the cosh. The natives are getting restless following a season of underachievement in the league.
And the Toffees boss has been forced to urge fans to back the team rather than demand he be sacked – after being greeted by ‘Martinez out’ banners at recent matches, ahead of a defining period for the Merseysiders.
Everton face Southampton, Liverpool and Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and Martinez desperately needed some momentum from their trip to Palace going into that run, that starts on Saturday – not another setback.
- Reuters
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