Christian Benteke 'slap'
While Patrick Vieira's incident with an Everton fan took centre stage following the full-time whistle at Goodison Park, more and more reports have followed of Crystal Palace players being targeted by pitch invaders in the hours since the match. During the first pitch invasion that followed Dominic Calvert-Lewin's winner, Palace striker Christian Benteke was reportedly 'slapped' by an Everton fan.
Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze were also targeted and taunted by onrushing spectators, with flares brandished in their faces as they sought to exit the pitch at full-time. Vieira is said to have expressed his concern about safety to the officials after the first pitch invasion but despite those warnings he and the rest of the away team were 'left to their own devices' to leave the pitch.
"We know how overjoyed the Everton fans are but you can't be doing that. You can't be pushing managers and pushing players, touching players and shouting in their faces," said former England striker Dion Dublin on Sky Sports. "We know it is only one or two who spoiled it for everyone else. Having fans on the pitch is not the way forward. We need to stop letting fans, or allowing fans to get on the pitch. It is too dangerous."
READ MORE: New Patrick Vieira footage shows level of abuse moments before he kicked Everton fan
Andros Townsend's classy reaction
Amidst the pandemonium on the Goodison Park turf that followed the full-time whistle, one moment from Everton player Andros Townsend drew praise from sets of Crystal Palace fans. The winger, who switched south London for Merseyside last summer following five seasons in red and blue, ignored the majority of pitch invaders and headed over to the travelling Palace support. Arms aloft, he stood for a while to clap the fans who quickly responded by singing his name back to him.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a similar reception when he came to Selhurst Park in March for Everton's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Palace. Townsend had to be helped back down the tunnel during the first half after going down injured, with it later being revealed he had suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Despite being in obvious discomfort, he made sure to thank the Selhurst Park home support as they clapped and sang him off the pitch.
Will Hughes migraine complaint
After starting the match well in midfield along with Jeffrey Schlupp and Ebere Eze, Will Hughes was forced off during the second half due to illness. The 27-year-old was replaced by Luka Milivojevic just before the hour mark after Palace had conceded their first of the evening via Michael Keane.
Hughes did not appear to be suffering from an injury at the time of his substitution, though football.london understands he was experiencing the effects of migraine. When asked about the situation and losing control in the midfield in the second half, Vieira said: "We wanted to control the game a little bit better and Will Hughes wasn't feeling well that's why he came off. But the plan was to have better control and we lost control in the midfield and we lost control of the game and when we went into the fight it became more difficult for us."
