Sixty minutes into this game Everton were given a glimpse of their best route to Premier League survival.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not win the long ball that was sent in his direction. Nor did he finish the chance that followed. But in a cluster of seconds the instinct, quality and presence so sorely missing from this Everton side for so much of this year was on show.
Calvert-Lewin’s challenge for the high ball sent in his direction created enough discomfort in the Palace defence to prevent Marc Guehi from getting any significant distance on his headed clearance. Alex Iwobi, moved centrally as Sean Dyche abandoned the ill-fated 4-4-2 of recent weeks, burst from the middle of the five-man midfield to win the loose ball. He fed Calvert-Lewin.
