Danjuma and Everton force a replay after a dismal performance in South London

The FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park promised much but delivered little in terms of excitement and goalmouth action. 

The game, played in a traditional cup tie atmosphere at one of London's most iconic stadiums, was marred by poor weather and a lack of clear scoring opportunities, despite the best efforts of both sides.

Everton, featuring Arnaut Danjuma, initially looked the stronger side. However, their dominance did not translate into significant chances, with the game remaining goalless. A notable moment came when Danjuma had a face-off with Crystal Palace's goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who managed to thwart the attempt. Adding to Everton's frustration, a subsequent corner kick led to a close call with the ball striking the post, summing up their near-misses in the first half.

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, slowly found their footing. They began to exert more pressure as the first half progressed but failed to capitalize on their growing momentum. The second half saw more action, with Everton's reserve goalkeeper João Virginia being called into action to save attempts from Eberechi Eze and a header from Jefferson Lerma. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, representing the visitors from Liverpool, had a golden chance to break the deadlock but failed to convert, much to the disappointment of the 25,000 fans at the stadium.

The match's pivotal moment came in the final ten minutes when Calvert-Lewin received a red card for a rash challenge on Nathaniel Clyne. This incident gave Crystal Palace, already enjoying the home ground advantage, a numerical edge in the final stretch of the game. However, despite these favorable conditions, Palace couldn't mount a significant challenge to break the stalemate. The match ended without a winner, leading to a replay scheduled to take place in Liverpool.

This result prolongs the uncertainty for both teams in the FA Cup, with neither side able to secure a decisive victory. The replay in Liverpool now becomes crucial for both teams as they seek progression in the prestigious tournament. The lack of goals and overall excitement in this match underscores the often unpredictable nature of cup competitions, where despite promising setups and enthusiastic crowds, games can sometimes fail to ignite the expected fireworks.