Everton and Crystal Palace were involved in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Monday night.
It was a fairly tight affair between two clubs in decent form which ended with a point for each side who both remained in the top half of the table.
Scott Dann headed the Eagles into the lead against the run of play in the 76th minute after Romelu Lukaku had hit the woodwork on two occasions.
The Belgian striker then marked his 100th Everton appearance with his 50th goal for the Toffees when he slotted home a cross from Gerard Deulofeu five minutes later.
The draw saw Roberto Martinez's Everton stay ninth in the standings with 22 points and an unbeaten run of five matches as Alan Pardew's Palace edged up to sixth.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Everton: 1 (Romelu Lukaku 81')
Crystal Palace: 1 (Scott Dann 76')
Goodison Park, Liverpool - 35,736
TALKING POINTS
- Is Lukaku quickly becoming the finished product? He has matured a great deal over the past year or so and appears to have a very bright career ahead.
- Palace still getting the job done on the road. Some improved home form, such as the 5-1 win over Newcastle, and they could potentially challenge for the top four.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Everton head to Norwich City on Saturday on the back of two score draws as Palace prepare to host Southampton.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Should've won today.. But we we're unlucky. Thanks for you support! #100GamesForEFC#50UPhttps://t.co/Skv0cpyDia
— R.Lukaku Bolingoli10 (@RomeluLukaku9) December 8, 2015Very disappointing not to get the win tonight! Really happy for @RomeluLukaku9 to get another goal though! #COYBpic.twitter.com/6E7LMYh0Ib
— Gerard Deulofeu (@gerardeulofeu) December 7, 2015Good team effort to get that point. @CPFC
— yohan cabaye (@YCabayeofficiel) December 7, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Everton's Martinez on Lukaku:
"Rom has been very consistent in the last 12 months, it is 26 or 27 goals in the calendar year - quite impressive. When you look at the overall development in the last 12 months, it makes you realise what a special footballer we have."
Palace boss Pardew regarding his side's ability to get a result:
"Sometimes you come across teams who not in the best form but Everton were at the top of their game and we had to hang on at times.
"It was great discipline from the team but it was a game that we could have won. We defended well and had chances on the break.
"A draw was a fair result and we are very pleased because it takes us to sixth place with a home game to come."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
50 - Romelu Lukaku has scored his 50th goal in his 100th competitive appearance for Everton. Celebration.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 7, 201530 - Since Alan Pardew took over in January, only Arsenal (35) have amassed more Premier League away points than Crystal Palace (30). Trip.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 7, 2015
TEAM LEADERS
Goals - Romelu Lukaku 11
Assists - Gerard Deulofeu 7
Clean sheets - Tim Howard 4
Yellow cards - James McCarthy 4
Red cards - Kevin Mirallas, Gareth Barry 1
Palace
Goals - Yohan Cabaye, Yannick Bolasie 4
Assists - Jason Puncheon 3
Clean sheets - Wayne Hennessey 3
Yellow cards - Yohan Cabaye, Wilfried Zaha 4
Red cards - Dwight Gayle 1
