Everton hoping to learn from last season’s defeat to the Eagles

Article by Tim Lloyd @timlloyd12

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The Blues will be hoping to escape a ‘European hangover’ on Sunday, being all too mindful of last season’s home fixture against Crystal Palace, in which the visitors came away with a very resilient 3-2 victory that effectively ended Everton’s Champions League hopes. Everton eventually had to settle for a Europa League place which coincidentally sees the Blues play later on tonight against Wolfsburg, which will be a tough game in itself.

The main focus for Everton this season should be the Premier League so after recording a routine 2-0 victory last weekend against West Brom it's time for the winning ways to continue on Sunday with another victory. That's not to say it will be easy but Everton should have too much quality with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas and Seamus Coleman who all impressed in last week’s away victory. Even the enforced change in defence after Sylvain Distin had picked up a knock and was not risked this was maybe a blessing in disguise as it bought about Everton’s first clean sheet of the campaign but there were still some minor errors and defensive lapses but fortunately for the Everton rear-guard, America’s number one (albeit on a temporary hiatus!) was in top form.

Palace are still yet to record a victory in the Premier League this season, however, with their shock victory at Goodison last season and the fact that Everton may be tired from Thursday night’s Europa League tie, the Eagles will be hoping to capitalise on any tiredness or defensive uncertainties that have been so uncharacteristic of the normally watertight Everton defence.

So, can Everton go on a winning streak that will build much needed confidence and belief as well as getting that crucial first victory at ‘Fortress Goodison’? It's a winnable game, but Everton need to learn their lessons from the Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester City games, but will take heart from the victory at West Brom, particularly in the second half when the free flowing fantastic football that graced Goodison and every away ground across the country was starting to make its way back.

A victory is a must for both teams with Palace still waiting for their first of the season, and with the hurt of the last season’s results still fresh in the minds of many Evertonians, it will not be an easy task for the travelling team. Everton need to win and they will be doing all they can to record a victory, but do not want to come unstuck after a European adventure against Wolfsburg and take Sunday’s game lightly against a resilient Crystal Palace side. Sunday’s game should be a first home win of the season; with in-form Steven Naismith adding to his impressive tally for the season despite missing a sitter against West Brom last time out. I can't see Everton running away with the game against a disciplined Palace side in a cagey affair with Everton taking the spoils in a 2-1 win.

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