Jordan Ayew’s brilliant strike gave new Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner something to smile about before Amadou Onana’s late header rescued Everton and helped them climb out of the relegation zone.
Ayew’s moment of quality midway through the second half was out of keeping with the rest of the mundanity served up by two struggling sides and had Glasner beaming up in the directors’ box as he conducted a watching brief.
But the gloom at Goodison Park was lifted six minutes from time when the otherwise excellent Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone missed his punch at Dwight McNeil’s corner and substitute Onana couldn’t miss from a few yards.
It had been a busy day for Palace even before kick off with odgson stepping down as manager and Austrian Glasner announced as his successor, though coaches Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington took charge at Goodison.
On the pitch, it was hard to work out which team needed the points most.
Amadou Onana’s late header rescued Everton in relegation scrap against Crystal Palace
Dwight McNeil’s corner was headed home from close range by sub Onana in the 84th minute
Everton started in the bottom three and were on the longest winless run in the Premier League – seven matches – as they wait to see if their appeal against a 10-point deduction is successful.
Palace meanwhile had won only three in 19 in all competitions and were again without Michael Olise, Eberichi Eze and Marc Guehi, arguably their best three players.
Blues boss Sean Dyche was able to name the influential Abdoulaye Doucoure for the first time in five weeks following a hamstring injury.
The most significant of Palace’s four changes saw one England goalkeeper, Johnstone, replace another, Dean Henderson with the team shifting to a back-three ahead of him.
Glasner was on Merseyside to take a look at his new charges, sitting with his new chairman Steve Parrish and Eagles playing legend Mark Bright.
Palace started cautiously but Glasner would have been encouraged to see them break effectively to register the first shot from Odsonne Edouard that a watchful Jordan Pickford was able to save first time.
Everton responded with an instant snapshot by Doucoure that flew wide of Johnstone’s post before the ‘keeper had started to move.
Only Burnley and Sheffield United have scored fewer goals than the sides on show so it was never likely to be a thrill-fest.
Dwight McNeil’s cross to Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw the centre-forward’s header come close to ending his 18-game drought.
McCarthy had revealed in a pre-match interview to television that he hadn’t spoken to Glasner before the game and that the players had wanted to mark Hodgson’s departure with a performance he’d be proud of.
He’d have enjoyed the slicking passing through the lines that created an opportunity for Jefferson Lerma after 35 minutes but not the finish that ballooned over the bar.
Twenty-year-old Adam Wharton, the last major signing of the Hodgson era, looked tidy in midfield besides taking the set pieces and playing the odd crafty ball.
Jordan Ayew put the visitors ahead with a sensational strike in the 66th minute
Ghana forward thumped a superb strike into the far corner past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
He was involved in the best chance of the first half, when Jean-Philippe Mateta’s header was booted off the line by Ashley Young.
Hodgson had been criticised for taking off Eze during Palace’s last visit to Goodison when they were knocked out of the FA Cup.
By the time Paul Tierney blew the whistle for half-time on this occasion, the reaction was muted from both sets of supporters hoping for more excitement.
Travelling Palace fans carried a couple of banners thanking Hodgson for his work during two spells at Selhurst Park but the lack of attacking punch in his side indicated why many thought it was time for a change.
Those Evertonians who booed their side off at the interval felt equally frustrated by their side who failed to land a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
At least the home side started the second period with more intent. James Garner ventured forward but his attempt to curl into the top corner was a little ambitious and sailed into the crowd.
No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets than Pickford despite Everton’s lowly position and he raced out smartly to block Tyrick Mitchell after the wing-back had been played in by Mateta.
Edouard provided a little “Ooh” when he attempted an overhead kick but unfortunately the ball went more vertical than towards the net.
Idrissa Gueye bore the brunt of the Gwladys Street irked by a lack of creativity in their side.
Then, like London buses, Everton registered their first couple of efforts on target in quick succession.
Ben Godfrey’s bullet header from a corner was goalbound until Johnstone parried away. When the rebound fell to Doucoure his sidefoot from close range was superbly cleared off the line by Daniel Munoz.
Home fans got their wish when Gueye was replaced but the move rebounded badly as Palace scored in their next attack.
A long clearance by Johnstone was flicked on to Mateta who showed admirable strength to release Ayew just outside the box.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasted a great chance when he directed his header over the bar
Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta tangles with Everton defender James Tarkowski
New Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was in the stands at Goodison Park on Monday night
Out of keeping with the rest of the game, the Ghanaian showed terrific quality to let fly and leave Pickford clutching thin air as the ball raced towards the top corner.
Everton’s desperation for an equaliser saw them throw numbers forward for the first time in the final 10 minutes. James Garner was denied by a diving Johnstone but the home side’s aptitude at set pieces finally paid dividends.
McNeil’s delivery into a crowded box was devilish and after Johnson failed to clear, Onana at the far post converted his third goal of the season.
A point apiece gave both sides something to cling onto but both Dyche and now Oliver Glasner know big improvements are needed. For Hodgson, it’ll probably be a relief not to have the stress.
