Jack Grealish Secures Late Winner as The Toffees Snap Crystal Palace's Undefeated Streak
The Palace manager looked on in astonishment as his players reacted with shock to a dramatic last-minute turnaround at Goodison Park. The Eagles' 19-game undefeated streak was broken thanks to Jack Grealish's first goal for David Moyes' team.
Opening Period Dominance by The Visitors
Early on, the away side imposed their authority with set-pieces from the defender and incisive distribution by the midfielder. The hosts faced immediate pressure, with the Everton goalkeeper—making his three-hundredth Premier League appearance for the club—called into action twice in the opening two minutes.
Yeremy Pino and the full-back both got into shooting positions on the fringes of the area, but Pickford stood firm. He later kept out Marc Guéhi from close range, with the defender taking the pace off the effort.
The visitors continued to press, with the left-back hitting the side-netting and Jean-Philippe Mateta forcing a save from the Everton keeper. In due course, the merited opening goal arrived.
Muñoz Breaks the Deadlock
Pino held up the ball under challenges from two opponents before slipping in Ismaïla Sarr. Sarr carried forward and played a well-measured pass to the advancing Muñoz, who finished with ease for his second goal in two games.
Everton's Second-Half Revival
The Everton boss made a double half-time changes, replacing new arrivals Thierno Barry and Tyler Dibling. Their replacements, the striker and the midfielder, added immediate impact to Everton's hitherto sluggish offensive play.
Even with the uplift, the Eagles squandered key opportunities to increase their lead. Mateta broke free and lifted the ball over Pickford, only for Jake O’Brien to clear off the line. Subsequently, Sarr rounded Pickford but watched his shot deflect to Mateta, who dragged his effort wide from close range.
Spot-Kick Levels the Match
Everton were awarded a way back when Maxence Lacroix fouled the substitute in the box. Iliman Ndiaye stepped up and deceived Dean Henderson the opposite direction from the spot.
Grealish Strikes at the Death
With the game seemingly destined for a tie, the home side pushed for one final push. Alcaraz—pivotal in the second-half—released Ndiaye on the right. The scorer delivered a superb cross into the six-yard box, where Beto connected with a towering header.
Dean Henderson somehow saved the close-range effort, but the loose ball fell to Grealish, who deflected Daniel Muñoz's attempted clearance into the goal. Palace's unbeaten streak was finished, concluding in dramatic fashion.
