Everton have the pleasure of meeting Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace in the 3rd round of the FA cup. With Everton being eliminated from the Carabao cup and also looking to be far from winning the league, The FA cup could be our opportunity for some silverware.

Everton rewind!

Everton were battered and abused by Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was indeed our worst performance of the entire season by a country mile. Everton Never looked to get a foot in the game and Dyche never made any changes until it was much too late.

Wolves opened the scoring in the 25th through a goalmouth scramble that would be eventually put in by Kilman. Wolves would add two more goals within the 90′ via Cunha and Dawson. All three goals were played in behind our backline and easily put home. Defensively, we looked half-asleep but the entire team looked lethargic.

It’s a shame that Dyche stuck with the three back for the match and didn’t make changes until the game became out of reach. Palace isn’t as class of a side but they will pounce on us if we show up half-assed again.

Crystal Palace Vs Brentford

Crystal Palace have been in extremely poor form, but found a spark against a lacklustre Brentford. Brentford would open the scoring through a bit of fantastic play. Lewis-Potter would be on the end of their lone goal, a striker’s finish.

Palace would strike back 12 minutes later thanks to Michael Olise. Palace stayed on the front foot for the entire match, Brentford looked depleted after Palace equalized. Eze would tally another goal for Palace in the 39th and WHAT A FINISH, just a classy finish from a dangerous player. I feel as if Dom would’ve wasted a chance such as that. The dagger would be thrusted into the hearts of Brentford supporters in the 58th by Olise. When Olise and Eze are healthy, Palace are a quality side and a side that will cause troubles for absent minded defending.

Mykolenko should be called upon a handful of times during the match. Myko handled Eze and Olise in the last meeting between the two and did it with swagger. Myko had them both in his pocket and I expect nothing less than another performance such as the one prior in the season.

According to Footystats.org, Mykolenko is in the 26th percentile for “dribbled past”, he on average only allows a player once per match to dribble by him. He is in the 96th percentile for interceptions and also has an above average ground duels won statistic.

Myko should have no problem dealing with the pace and tekkers of Palace’s attackers.

Crystal Palace key player

Eze, of course it’s Eze! Eze is one of the most dangerous players in all of the premier league. His statistics are ones to gaze upon, offensively he is almost a complete player. Palace relies on him to create and score most of their goals, he is a one man attack.

To encapsulate his stats in short, he is in the 90th percentile for the following; Dribbles, Successful dribbles, key passes, crosses, successful crosses, shots taken and shots on goal. He also leads in ground duels won by the Palace side.

I don’t believe Myko will let Eze be all that active BUT if Palace is going to score, it will through Eze.

Final thoughts!

This is a magical cup, Everton are a magical side! It’s only a matter of time until we win a trophy. A deep cup run could be beneficial to our season but also could be detrimental. Our side lacks depth and with the string of results recently, we need to focus on our league form but also, a cup run could instill even more confidence.

We have the quality to beat palace but we look knackered! I expect to see some turn over in the lineup in order to preserve legs for the weekend.