Palace v Everton

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Adlene Guedioura

Story so far

Managerless Crystal Palace host Everton in desperate need of a win to kick start their season.

Former manager Ian Holloway claimed that the large influx of new players was a key reason behind his departure from the club, but one stalwart who has remained in the first team is defender Dean Moxey.

This is the former Derby man’s first season in the top flight, and on the basis of his performance on Saturday, it appears he’s completed the transition rather well. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he attempted 6 challenges on Saturday, and won an impressive 4 of them.

For Palace to stay in the division they will need their older players to use their wise heads, guide the younger ones through the difficult times, and keep them grounded when they win. Danny Gabbidon is one of the more experienced members of the Palace side, and this experience was on show on Saturday as he managed to clear the ball 11 times - this was the fourth highest number of clearances in the league.

Jason Puncheon’s loan move to Crystal Palace surprised many, with the winger having only signed a new deal at St Mary’s a short time before. The former Plymouth man scored goals for the Saints last season, and his attacking prowess was on show again on Saturday as he managed to complete a pass in the opposition half at an impressive rate of a pass every 2.3 minutes. Puncheon is 13/1 with 888sport.com to score the last goal of the match on Saturday.

Puncheon’s passing statistics have been impressive all season, with the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index showing that he has completed 152 passes in the opposition half this term. He is, however, overshadowed by skipper Mile Jedinak who has managed to complete 188. It appears that the form of the Australian will be integral to the Eagles’ chances of maintaining their Premier League status.

Despite strong claims for a penalty on Seamus Coleman, Everton held big-spending Spurs to a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard should be given credit for helping to keep Andre Villas-Boas’ men at bay on Sunday. The former Manchester United man made 6 saves on Sunday – which was the most in the league.

Ahead of him, centre backs Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin also produced stellar performances to quell the attacking threat of Tottenham’s front line. Between them, Jagielka and Distin made a total of 26 defensive contributions (based on clearances, interceptions, tackles won, and blocks).

Ross Barkley has been a real star so far for Everton this term, with the youngster earning a call up to the international scene. Barkley started on the bench against Spurs, but when he entered the fray he certainly impressed. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates that the youngster completed a pass in the opposition half at a rate of a pass every 3 minutes. You can find Barkley at 9/1 with 888sport.com to score the final goal of the match on Saturday.

With Chelsea’s woes in front of goal this year, Romelu Lukaku’s appearances for Everton might well be a kick in the teeth for Chelsea fans. So far this season, the Belgian has managed to hit the target with an impressive 72% of his efforts in front of goal. In contrast, no Chelsea striker has a success percentage over 55%.

Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at fantasy.premierleague.com or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14.

Team news

Crystal Palace midfielder Adlene Guedioura is out for six weeks after fracturing two ribs and suffering a partly collapsed lung following a clash with West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill last week.

Playmaker Jonny Williams (ankle) is back in training but is not quite ready for a return. Paddy McCarthy is also close to coming back but striker Glenn Murray and defender Jack Hunt remain on the sidelines.

Everton centre-back Antolin Alcaraz is nearing closer to a first team call-up after suffering with hernia and hamstring problems. Midfielder Darron Gibson is recovering well from cruciate ligament surgery.

Striker Romelu Lukaku is ok to play despite his big collision with Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris last time out. Arouna Kone will miss most of the season with a knee injury.

Palace (from): Speroni, Price, Ward, Gabbidon, Moxey, Delaney, Mariappa, Dikgacoi, Thomas, Jedinak, Campana, Bannan, Bolasie, O'Keefe, Puncheon, Kebe, Gayle, Jerome, Phillips, Chamakh.

Everton (from): Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Mirallas, McCarthy, Barry, Pienaar, Barkley, Lukaku, Robles, Heitinga, Oviedo, Stones, Naismith, Osman, Jelavic, Deulofeu.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"We know it's a great challenge and there are some good players there (at Everton). We've had some close games at Selhurst. I don't want teams to come to us and enjoy their football.

"I said to the lads we're going to war on Saturday. I said if I'm going to war, who is going with me? I believe I have that.

"I don't feel, being around the place, that anyone has given up. We're not that far adrift from five or six teams. If we can get a couple of results in the next five games, we'll have a good chance.

"We're lacking Premier League experience from top to bottom. But I believe with this group of players we can stay up. The last couple of games have hurt the players. Key moments, we have to turn in our favour.

"I think the sooner the better now (a new man comes in). The players are enjoying training and the two games, I couldn't ask for more. The players are waiting now (on who the new manager is).

"We feel they're the sort of sides we've got to compete with in the next few games (Hull, Norwich, West Ham and Cardiff).

"We had good chances to make it 1-1 at WBA last weekend and it's annoying we haven't managed to get a draw. But we haven't had six or seven against us either."

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
10/04/2005	League	Everton	4 - 0	Crystal Palace
21/08/2004	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 3	Everton
12/09/2001	League Cup	Everton	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
10/01/1998	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 3	Everton
09/08/1997	League	Everton	1 - 2	Crystal Palace

All time results

Last meeting

Everton 4-0 Palace

Sunday April 10 2005

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs (Watson, 26), Weir, Naysmith (Vaughan, 74), Osman, Arteta, Cahill, Kilbane, Ferguson, Bent (Carsley, 67)

Subs not used: Wright, McFadden

Booking: Hibbert

Goals: Arteta 7, Cahill 47, Cahill 54, Vaughan 87

Palace: Kiraly, Leigertwood, Hall, Powell, Granville, Riihilahti (Watson, 57), Routledge, Hughes, Soares, Lakis (Torghelle, 57), Johnson

Subs not used: Speroni, Hudson, Borrowdale

Booking: Kiraly

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