Damien Delaney denied as Everton hold Crystal Palace

Everton 1, Crystal Palace 1: Crystal Palace had a goal controversially disallowed as their Premier League winning streak came to an end with a 1-1 draw at Everton.

Palace were left questioning the call from referee Jon Moss after his assistant’s flag went up when Damien Delaney converted a second-half header and, following a discussion between the two officials, it was decided the effort should not stand.

That was shortly after Christian Benteke had equalised with a superb header of his own, cancelling out Romelu Lukaku’s excellent 35th-minute free-kick.

Ronald Koeman’s Toffees, looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season last time out at Bournemouth, had been the better side in the first half.

Ex-Palace winger Yannick Bolasie, Ross Barkley and Lukaku all threatened.

Delaney looked to have given away a penalty as he brought down Bryan Oviedo in the Palace box, but the assistant referee’s flag was up for offside, and Lukaku subsequently had a low shot saved by Steve Mandanda.

Everton’s pressure yielded a goal after they were awarded a free-kick when Delaney lunged with a high foot towards Phil Jagielka just outside the area. Jagielka handled the ball, but it appeared he had done so while trying to avoid the boot of Delaney.

Lukaku stepped up to take the set-piece and curled it in fine style over the wall andpast Mandanda.

Palace hit back five minutes after the break. Benteke rose above Seamus Coleman to connect with Joel Ward’s cross.

As Everton looked to make a swift response, Idrissa Gueye’s shot was blocked by Martin Kelly.

Palace then thought they had grabbed the lead as Delaney headed in, but the flag was up again. Palace then cleared off the line as Jason Puncheon diverted away a Gareth Barry header.

Tomkins had an effort saved, and Coleman scooped over the bar at the death.

Everton:

Stekelenburg, Coleman, Jagielka, Ashley Williams, Oviedo (Funes Mori 81), Gana, Barry, Cleverley, Barkley (Mirallas 77), Lukaku, Bolasie.

Subs Not Used:

Robles, Lennon, Valencia, Davies, Holgate.

Crystal Palace:

Mandanda, Ward, Tomkins, Delaney, Kelly, McArthur (Cabaye 79), Ledley, Townsend (Lee 90), Puncheon, Zaha, Christian Benteke.

Subs Not Used:

Flamini, Campbell, Hennessey, Fryers, Wickham.

Ref:

Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).