Updated at 22.20
IRELAND MIDFIELDER JAMES McCarthy will miss Everton’s game against Southampton on Saturday after seeing red against in their 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace tonight.
McCarthy was given his marching orders in the 51st minute by referee Mike Jones, the first sending off of his career, after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Yannick Bolassie.
McCarthy received his first yellow at Selhurst Park in just the 16th minute for a heavy tackle on Yohan Cabaye.
But Toffees goalkeeper Joel Robles produced an inspired performance as 10-man Everton held on for a 0-0 draw.
Alan Pardew’s men created numerous chances to open the scoring, with Dwight Gayle and Jason Puncheon in particular coming close, but they failed to beat the Everton shot stopper as he held out for his third clean sheet of the campaign.
Ross Barkley hit the crossbar but Everton’s attacking intent was stifled when McCarthy was dismissed soon after.
The draw takes Palace further clear of the relegation zone. They are now 11 points above 18th-placed Sunderland with five games to play and appear safe after putting together a three-game unbeaten run to stop their 2016 rot, having snapped their 14-game run without a win against Norwich on Saturday.
Pardew opted for the pace of Gayle over Connor Wickham and Emmanuel Adebayor in attack, and another of Palace’s quick options, Bolasie, was the first to bring a save out of Joel.
Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey was called into action for the first time midway through the first half when Seamus Coleman volleyed straight at him after a fine cross from Leighton Baines.
Everton slowly grew into the game and Arouna Kone’s powerful shot from 20 yards went narrowly over the crossbar, before Hennessey pulled off a sublime save to deny Romelu Lukaku from close range.
Gayle’s acrobatic overhead kick went just wide at the far post, before Barkley was unfortunate not to break the deadlock in the 48th minute, beating Hennessey with his curled shot from the edge of the box, only to see his fine attempt hit the crossbar.
Everton’s chances were dealt a major blow three minutes later when referee Jones showed McCarthy his second yellow card.
Puncheon should have opened the scoring after some good work from Mile Jedinak, but Joel showed his class with a superb save, and the Everton goalkeeper denied Joel Ward after Palace kept the move alive.
Cabaye curled wide as Palace began to press home their numerical advantage, but they found Joel too tough to beat and Puncheon – Saturday’s match-winner – saw another powerful effort saved.
Substitute Adebayor could have won it for Palace with a late header, but he could not hit the target as Pardew’s men were denied the chance to reach 40 points for the season.
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