Elliott Cuff

Tue 6 April 2021 17:10, UK

Everton let a golden opportunity to make up ground on the top four slip away on Monday evening after drawing with Crystal Palace.

James Rodriguez’s second half strike had edged the home side in front at Goodison Park, although Michy Batshuayi would frustrate the Blues by scoring an equaliser with less than ten minutes remaining.

However Everton forward Richarlison would prove even more frustrating, squandering a number of chances to get on the scoresheet, taking Champions League qualification further from the club’s reach.

According to stats by WyScout, Richarlison’s registered a total of six shots against the Eagles, with his expected goals stat of 1.27 comfortably ranking as his highest in the Premier League this season.

The Brazilian was presented with several opportunities to get in amongst the goals for the Toffees, but he just couldn’t find the necessary clinical edge to dispatch the chances.

Early in the game, Seamus Coleman dropped a perfect cross onto an unmarked Richarlison, presenting the first of many clear-cut opportunities for the former Watford man to score.

However the 23-year old headed high and wide, despite facing very little physical pressure.

Shortly after Andre Gomes dispossessed Jordan Ayew in the centre of the pitch before setting Richarlison free with an excellent through ball.

Richarlison collected possession, moved into an opportune position to ease the ball past Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, however his shot had the perfect height and placement for the Spaniard to comfortably claim.

Richarlison rather arrogantly refused to give Gylfi Sigurdsson a free-kick not long after his second wasted opportunity, despite complaints from Lucas Digne and James, and he promptly missed from the set-piece.

James then swung a free-kick deep into Palace’s area, and after meeting the ball cleanly in the air, Richarlison could only head over the crossbar.

Though Richarlison failed to prove clinical for the Blues, Palace shot-stopper Guaita does deserve credit for an admirable performance, and he did well to frustrate the Everton forward in the second half.

Richarlison’s drove an acrobatic attempt into the ground at an angle difficult for the goalkeeper to deal with, however Guaita demonstrated fantastic reflexes to turn the ball away.

Richarlison’s final attempt saw him shrug off his defensive screen to strike towards the bottom corner, but another fine reflex save from Guaita saw the ball pushed wide of the Palace post.

Richarlison was far from being Everton’s sole antagonist against Crystal Palace, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin also missing his chances, while the Blues’ defensive structure was questionable.

However, attention naturally draws to the Brazilian, who so often has shown that he has real potential to propel Everton into elite European competition.

Chelsea had dropped points against West Brom, and Tottenham had dropped points against Newcastle, making Everton’s draw with Palace ever the more frustrating.

Richarlison will need to pick his head up and push harder next time out if Everton harbour any hopes of qualifying for Europe this season.

In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti has shared an injury update on key Everton duo following the draw with Palace.

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