Key Points
- Crystal Palace drew 2-2 with Everton in the Premier League at Selhurst Park on 10 May 2026.
- Everton led twice, with James Tarkowski scoring in the sixth minute and Beto restoring the advantage just after half-time.
- Crystal Palace responded through Ismaïla Sarr in the 34th minute and Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 77th minute.
- The result damaged Everton’s hopes of qualifying for Europe.
- Palace entered the match after securing a place in the UEFA Conference League final earlier in the week.
- Oliver Glasner’s side avoided a defeat after a demanding midweek schedule, but could not turn that momentum into victory.
Crystal Palace (South London News) May 12, 2026 – Crystal Palace were held to a 2-2 draw by Everton at Selhurst Park on Sunday, with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late equaliser cancelling out Beto’s second-half strike and leaving Everton frustrated in their push for European qualification.
Where did the match begin?
Selhurst Park staged a contest that started sharply for Everton, who took the lead in the sixth minute when James Tarkowski scored from close range. Crystal Palace recovered steadily and drew level in the 34th minute through Ismaïla Sarr, who finished after his initial effort was deflected back to him. The first half ended with the score at 1-1, but the game remained open and competitive throughout.
How did Everton regain the lead?
Everton moved ahead again within two minutes of the restart when Beto ran on to a long ball from Tarkowski, beat Maxence Lacroix to the move and slipped the ball through Dean Henderson’s legs. The visitors briefly looked capable of controlling the match after that goal, with Everton also creating other chances through James Garner and Tarkowski. Their second lead, however, was not enough to settle the contest.
Why did Palace stay in the game?
Crystal Palace kept pressing and grew stronger as the second half developed, especially after Everton were unable to extend their advantage. The home side’s pressure eventually told in the 77th minute when Mateta lashed a finish into the roof of the net to make it 2-2. Reports from the match described Palace as the side that dominated the second half, even though the points were shared in the end.
What did the result mean for Everton?
Everton’s draw was viewed as a missed opportunity because it came in the context of a push for European qualification. The point left David Moyes’s side with their ambitions hit hard, as they had twice taken the lead but still failed to win. The late equaliser also meant Everton could not fully capitalise on their strong start.
How did Palace approach the game after Europe?
Palace arrived at this fixture following the emotional high of reaching the UEFA Conference League final earlier in the week, having booked their place with a 5-2 aggregate win over Shakhtar Donetsk. One report said Oliver Glasner’s side were determined not to let the mood in south London sour despite the short turnaround. That context mattered because the match came only days after a major European breakthrough for the club.
Which players shaped the scoreline?
James Tarkowski was the first scorer, giving Everton an early lead from a set-piece move. Ismaïla Sarr levelled for Palace before the interval. Beto then restored Everton’s lead after the break, and Mateta later rescued Palace with the equaliser. Those four goals defined the match and ensured both sides left with one point.
What was the broader match context?
The match took place at Selhurst Park in London and finished 2-2 after a lively and even contest. ESPN’s match summary listed attendance at 24,958 and recorded the final score after seven minutes of second-half stoppage time. The Premier League’s official match page also described it as a game in which Everton surrendered the lead twice.
Background of the Development
Crystal Palace’s recent weeks have been shaped by two parallel storylines: a strong end to their European campaign and a demanding run of league fixtures. Glasner’s team reached the UEFA Conference League final after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on aggregate, which added significance to the league match against Everton. Everton, meanwhile, have been trying to build momentum under David Moyes and stay in the race for a European place.
The broader development is that Palace are managing the pressure of competing on more than one front, while Everton are chasing consistency late in the season. The 2-2 draw reflected both teams’ current position: Palace showed resilience after a European high, and Everton showed attacking threat but not enough control to close out the match.
Prediction
For Crystal Palace supporters, the result may be viewed as evidence that the team can recover in difficult moments, even after a packed week of football. For Everton supporters, the draw is likely to feel costly because it reduced the value of taking the lead twice and weakened their European pursuit. If Palace continue balancing domestic and European commitments, points in the league may become harder to secure, while Everton will need more discipline late in matches to turn promising performances into wins.
