Toffees held by a battling Palace outfit…
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Everton moved up to fifth in the Premier League table despite Roberto Martinez’s side being held to their second successive goalless draw at battling Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Everton, who had drawn 0-0 with Tottenham last week, were heavy favourites to come away with all the points against a Palace side that took to the pitch desperate to stop a woeful seven match losing sequence.
Palace were missing Adlene Guedioura who broke a couple of ribs and punctured a lung in last weekend’s defeat to West Brom.
For Everton Romelu Lukaku started despite his well publicised collision with Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris last weekend.
But Lukaku’s fellow forward Arouna Kone faces a lengthy period on the sidelines as he requires knee surgery.
Predictably Everton had the better start but the more the first half progressed the more Palace asserted themselves on the game, and the Londoners were unlucky not to go into the break ahead.
Only a fine save from Everton keeper Tim Howard denied a dipping shot from Jerome Thomas, then Marouane Chamakh had a live chance to score but his header off a corner went wide.
The match, which started 15 minutes late due to traffic congestion, again failed to produce a goal in the second, with Palace’s defence proving unusually tight although Everton very nearly nicked a win in the closing minutes only for Gerard Deulofeu’s curling shot from 25 yards to go wide and for Phil Jagielka to rattle the crossbar.
Despite this encouraging display Palace remain at the foot of the Premier League – an announcement is due next week on the identity of their new manager.
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