Everton vs. Crystal Palace: Key Issues That Will Shape the Premier League Game
Everton welcome Crystal Palace to Goodison Park on Sunday with one thing in mind: instant revenge.
Last season, with just five games to go, a run of seven straight Premier League wins saw the Toffees leapfrog Arsenal in the race for a Champions League finish.
Roberto Martinez knew a home win against Palace would keep his side two points clear of the Gunners in fourth, but the visitors were in no mood to compromise.
Tony Pulis' line-up claimed an unexpected and impressive 3-2 away win to completely derail the Toffees' top four dreams. Everton never recovered and limped through their final four games, eventually finishing seven points adrift of Arsenal.
A 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park saw Martinez's side take just one point from six against Palace last season—clearly a return he will want to drastically improve upon.
Here's a look at some of the factors set to decide this game.
How Everton Recover from the Europa League
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Everton's Europa League exertions will be a key factor in Sunday's game, not only physically, but mentally, too.
While Crystal Palace have been resting, afforded a full week to hone in on this clash, the Toffees were busy focusing on Wolfsburg until late on Thursday night.
Additionally, Martinez named an unchanged side for that 4-1 win, which could potentially cause tired legs or a heavily rotated side in Sunday's clash.
Statistically, European commitments have had a detrimental effect on the Toffees' results in the following game. Over the the club's three most recent campaigns, the fixture immediately after a European tie has seen Everton take 30 points from 21 games at an average of 1.4 points per game.
That is down slightly on Everton's general average of 1.7 points per game during the rest of those seasons, with 159 points taken from the 93 remaining games. Of course, that's a small and distorted sample size, but there is still a noticeable difference.
Palace will hope there is indeed a decline in the Toffees' play and that they can capitalise on any weary legs or rotational selection.
Can Crystal Palace Halt Everton's Free Scoring Attack?
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While Everton are yet to appear completely assured in defence this season, they have been ruthlessly clinical in the final third.
Nine goals in four games makes them the Premier League's second-top goalscorers, while another four goals were hit past Wolfsburg on Thursday.
This return hasn't come from a great amount of chances—in fact, Everton are mid-table in terms of average shots at goal (12.3)—yet, such potency will clearly worry Palace.
The fact only four sides have conceded more shots than Crystal Palace this season will then aggravate those concerns further, especially given their relatively kind schedule. Excluding an away trip to Arsenal, the Eagles have faced home games against Burnley and West Ham and an away trip to a beleaguered Newcastle.
To concede 60 shots in those four games suggests Everton will be presented with additional opportunities to score. If they remain as clinical, they should find the net enough times to win.
Will Everton Repeat the Same Mistakes from April?
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Everton made several key errors during that 3-2 loss in April, the most critical of which was an overly individualistic approach.
With Champions League football tantalisingly close, the Toffees became reckless and appeared rushed in several aspects of their play. They seemed to forget how to break a team down with patience.
The statistics very much reflect this. Everton had the second most dribble attempts (36) of their season, as players would try to maze their way through instead of looking for combinations. They also recorded the most crosses (44) of their season, another number that hints at panic and an overall lack of direction.
This wasn't helped by Martinez's selection. Starting Aiden McGeady, Gerard Deulofeu, Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas left too many explosive options and not enough players able to construct the phases.
This selection also left the Toffees badly exposed off the ball, with Palace working several overloads to their advantage. Any time the away side gained possession, Gareth Barry was the sole presence shielding an over-worked back four.
Clearly, Everton must learn from these mistakes.
Whether Crystal Palace Can Suppress Coleman and Baines
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A key for Crystal Palace will be how well they contain Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines.
The attacking play of both full-backs has been a feature of Everton's game for a number of seasons. Including Baines' role in setting up the first goal against Wolfsburg, the Toffees' full-backs have scored or provided six of their side's past nine goals and seven of the last 11.
Suppress their influence, and Everton will find it hard to enforce their natural game, which will improve the visitor's prospects.
That won't be easy, especially with the likes of Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha not exactly renowned for their defensive contribution. If selected, both must contribute one of their more disciplined displays and track back to support their full-back.
Statistics via WhoScored.com and Squawka.
