Five managers, two charges for breaching financial rules and 1,602 days later Everton finally ended a four-year wait to score from a free-kick. At most points in this rather nasty match, spread over two games, it felt like it would take the same number of days for either team to score a goal.
But after a dull 90 minutes in South London and half a game in Liverpool, a touch of class from Andre Gomes finally brought a spark to this snoozefest to give Everton their first win of 2024 and Sean Dyche’s men to a meeting in the fourth round with relegation rivals Luton.
Even Toffees trivia geeks might struggle to remember that last free-kick goal, a sweet strike from Lucas Digne at Lincoln’s Sincil Bank in August 2019. But Portuguese midfielder Gomes delivered a strike that would make even a certain compatriot of his proud would be.
That was the culmination of a stellar performance from the once-forgotten Gomes, 30, who spent last season on loan at Lille and looked as if his days at Everton were numbered. But he was quick on the ball and consistently popped up in dangerous half-spaces to prove he was still a valuable asset.
He was closely competed for the Player of the Match award, and was perhaps just tipped in stoppage time, by fellow Portuguese player Joao Virginia. Everton’s back-up goalkeeper made a series of big stops as Crystal Palace came knocking on the door for a late equalizer.
Andre Gomes’ first-half free kick proved to be the difference at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening
The Portuguese midfielder’s stunner capped off a great performance from the once-forgotten star
Gomes provided one of the few moments of quality in any of the meetings between the two
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“He’s come a long way this season, even if you haven’t seen him yet,” Dyche said of Virginia. ‘The way he trains professionally. He always listens, watches and absorbs. He was very good when called upon, making clear decisions and good saves.’
But it was only during the stoppage period, when Jean-Philippe Mateta was thwarted by Virginia, that Palace fans had something to cheer about.
Previously, all they heard was manager Roy Hodgson’s decision to replace star man Eberechi Eze.
The Palace fans also sang a chorus of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ at Hodgson, who was asked if he understood their frustrations and said: ‘I appreciate it’s still a long way to go and we appreciate their support.
‘I would have been disappointed if Eze came out too, because he is one of our best players. But on Saturday we play against Arsenal at 12.30. “If he hadn’t been able to play against Arsenal (due to injury), we would have been even more disappointed.”
Hodgson also took out several other key figures from a match of both teams’ strongest XIs, making for an even contest.
Unfortunately for the neutral sides, however, this evenly matched battle meant that this replay started the way the original tie ended.
It was a case of two decent defensive units canceling out two failed attacks.
Until Gomes’ fantastic opener just before half-time, there was a lack of quality and drama. The only talking point from that first game was Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s crazy red card for a clean tackle.
He would have been suspended for this repetition, but the red card was quickly withdrawn on appeal to further undermine the VAR.
But although Calvert-Lewin played, his goalscoring problems continued, with the forward now making fourteen appearances and going without a goal until the end of October.
He came close on a few occasions in the first half but was denied by Sam Johnstone, while Jack Harrison had a criminal case dismissed.
Sean Dyche’s team selection showed how much he respected his opponent Roy Hodgson
Joao Virginia made a number of good saves to keep the Toffees ahead in the FA Cup match
The away fans were kept quiet until they booed the decision to replace Eberechi Eze
Palace always seemed to lack decisiveness in the final third as they threatened Everton’s goal
After all, Everton are the only Premier League team not to have won a penalty this season.
But despite that fact, it felt like this exciting match was going to be one decided by a set piece. And so it was, as Gomes unleashed a powerful free-kick from about 25 yards out that bounced off the post. After a tough week off the field, reason to be cheerful.
“I’m happy with the result,” Dyche added. “We played better and lost (this season). We never found the fluidity, but a fantastic goal finally sealed it. However, we looked solid and that’s a good foundation to build on. Three clean sheets in a row and three undefeated now.’