ROY Hodgson admitted he isn’t exactly thrilled about the prospect of an FA Cup replay with Everton after the two sides drew 0-0 at a rainswept Selhurst Park this evening.
The pair will do it all again at Goodison in just under a fortnight after a frustrating game of few chances in SE25.
Everton probably squandered the better ones, although Palace almost won it in the final of nine additional minutes when Eberechi Eze’s shot was pushed behind with one hand by Toffees keeper Joao Virginia.
By that stage the Toffees had been a man down for almost 20 minutes following a VAR recommended red card for Dominic Calvert-Lewin following a challenge on Nathaniel Clyne.
Asked what his reaction to the fact his side now have to head to Merseyside to seal a place in the fourth round, Eagles boss Hodgson gave a frank response.
“Not great,” he replied.
“I think it is the last thing either of us wanted in a way.
“They were two teams who put the effort in, defended well, were difficult to break down.
“Unfortunately sometimes when you get that situation where there are two teams – we definitely wanted to win the game, there is no question of anything less than a determination and desire to do so – but the two teams’ defences did well enough to reduce the number of clearcut chances to a minimum.
“The game I suppose was crying out for that wonder goal or that moment of magic that neither team were able to produce.”
Hodgson handed a start to Brazilian attacker Matheus Franca following the injury to Michael Olise and he lasted 71 minutes before being replaced by Naouirou Ahamada.
The Palace chief felt the kind of challenge posed by Everton didn’t necessarily suit either of the pair, although he believes both will definitely benefit from the experience.
He explained: “It was very difficult for both of them. Being the type of players they are, they are playing Everton and that is probably the last thing you want because of their physicality, because of their need to be strong, brave, win the challenges and win the duels.
“That’s not the type of players they are, they are players that are technical and gifted.
“The sort of opportunities that came their way in the game to show what they are good at were few and far between. But I think it will be a good experience for both of them.”
Hodgson added: “They haven’t got a lot of Premier League experience to play against a good Premier League team and one of the hardest teams to play against in terms of their organisation, discipline and how difficult they are to break down.
“They got a taste of that tonight and it will do them good going forward.”
