Crystal Palace have secured their first clean sheet of the season courtesy of a goalless draw with Everton at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles have given interim manager Keith Millen a point in what could be his final game in charge of the club, with the appointment of Ian Holloway's permanent successor thought to be imminent.
The home side will feel that they could have taken all three points following strong chances from Kagisho Dikgacoi, Marouane Chamakh and Jerome Thomas, while Everton failed to make an impact in the final third, despite controlling the majority of the game.
Read how the match unfolded in our minute-by-minute coverage below.
Welcome all! This weekend hosts the final round of Premier League matches before the international break. With that being sad, both Crystal Palace and Everton will be keen to send off their players with three points under their belts.
Speaking of send-offs, Palace interim boss Keith Millen believes that this afternoon will be his final game in charge of the Eagles, who are still in the hunt for a permanent boss following the departure of Ian Holloway.
To help with that process, Palace have announced today that Iain Moody has joined the club as sporting director following his controversial dismissal from Cardiff City. A matter of weeks ago, Moody, who was head of recruitment at the Welsh outfit, was replaced by a 23-year-old friend of owner Vincent Tan's son. It's safe to say that the decision didn't go down well with manager Malky Mackay. However, it appears that Cardiff's loss is Palace's gain as they continue to search for a permanent manager.
Right, before we get into the nitty gritty of today's match, let's have a look at the teams, which are starting to filter through from Selhurst Park...
Crystal Palace XI: Speroni; Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey; Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Bannan, Thomas, Bolasie; Chamakh
Substitutes' bench: Price, Mariappa, O'Keefe, Puncheon, Kebe, Gayle, Jerome
Everton XI: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; McCarthy, Barry, Mirallas, Osman; Pienaar; Lukaku
Substitutes' bench: Robles, Heitinga, Jelavic, Deulofeu, Naismith, Barkley, Stones
So, there are the confirmed teams for this afternoon's encounter. Let's have a look at the home side first. Millen has made one change to the side that suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion last weekend. Yannick Bolasie enters the fold in place of Adlene Guedioura.
Unfortunately for Palace, Guedioura is expected to be on the sidelines for six weeks after suffering two broken ribs and a punctured lung during last weekend's defeat at The Hawthorns.
For the visiting side, manager Roberto Martinez has named the same XI that started last Sunday's goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur, which includes on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku.
There were concerns that the Belgium international would not be fit for this encounter after he was substituted in the second half at Goodison Park after his knee connected with the head of Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. As I'm sure you're aware, there was plenty of uproar that Lloris was allowed to play on after he was briefly knocked unconscious. While the Frenchman remained on the field, Lukaku did not, but Martinez stated earlier this week that the striker was fit to play against Palace.
So, what can you say about Palace's stint so far in the Premier League? Unfortunately, most of it's bad news. The Eagles have secured just one victory since their promotion to the top flight, and that was against a lowly Sunderland side that have also been struggling.
Part of their problem is their failure to be prolific in front of goal. They have only netted six in 10 games, with summer acquisition from Arsenal Marouane Chamakh not quite living up to expectations as yet! They are in desperate need of maximum points today, but they are facing difficult opposition in the form of Everton.
The Merseyside outfit have been in impressive form this season, only suffering one defeat so far in the campaign and securing four draws and five victories. You'd have to argue that Martinez's late summer signings have been a major reason in their success of late. Loan captures Lukaku and Gareth Barry have in particular been positive acquisitions for the Toffees.
With the club currently seventh in the table and just one point behind second-placed Chelsea, you could argue that Everton have a good chance of challenging for a European spot, but let's keep in mind that it's very early days!
There's been some fighting talk from Millen this week ahead of today's encounter. The Eagles may be having a tough time at the moment, but the interim boss has called on his players to spoil Everton's visit.
He told Sky Sports News: "We know it's a great challenge and there are some good players at Everton. We've had some close games at Selhurst, I don't want teams to come to us and enjoy their football. I said to the lads we're going to war on Saturday. I said if I'm going to war, who is going with me? I believe I have that."
It's around 20 minutes to go until kickoff and it appears that the Everton staff have been mooching around Selhurst Park. This is what they've come across...
Not something you see every Saturday!! #efccpfc pic.twitter.com/wWsiZXBPtQ — Everton (@Everton) November 9, 2013
So, how do you see this one going? On current form, the edge is easily given to Everton, despite Palace having the home support. For me, I can't see anything other than a victory for the Merseyside club, but given that this could be Millen's last game in charge, the Palace players may have enough fire in their bellies to get their second win on the board.
Palace will be unable to move out of the bottom three, even if they win today, but Everton could potentially move into second place in the table, but that all depends on how the teams around them perform today.
DELAY! I'm afraid that today's afternoon kickoff has been put back until 3.15pm. It's not down to any torrential downpours, but because there is traffic in Croydon.
Give those cheerleaders some coats to wear! The ladies are out on the field ready to welcome the home side, but due to the delay, they will be waiting in the cold for a good 15 minutes!
It appears action will get underway earlier than expected as the two teams emerge from the tunnel at Selhurst Park.
Every Premier League match are commemorating Remembrance Sunday with a minute's silence this weekend, and it's no different here as the players line up to pay their respects.
GAME ON! Palace get the first half underway, kicking from left to right.
Everton have a man down straight away. Pienaar has gone to ground following a clash of heads with Ward, causing Baines to knock the ball out of play. However, after consulting the medics, Pienaar is given permission to continue.
Some sloppy defensive play from Everton there. Jagielka takes too long to play the ball back to goalkeeper Howard, which allows Chamakh to press, and a nervy pass across the back line results in Howard coming off his line to clear any potential danger.
Palace are awarded a free kick just a few yards away from the box. Bannan lines up to take it and swoops the ball into the box, but what could have been a good chance, is wasted when Jedinak is penalised for pushing Coleman in the back.
CHANCE! Some impressive one-touch football between Baines and Lukaku down the left. The England international receives the ball and feeds it into the path of Osman, who whips the ball towards goal, but his effort goes far wide of the post.
At the other end, Moxey launches a long ball over the top to Chamakh, who manages to fend off pressure from Distin, but after playing the ball back, Chamakh fails to get back onside and is flagged off when he receives the ball.
Everton are getting plenty of possession in midfield - Barry and Pienaar are especially looking comfortable on the ball. They look like the home side at the moment!
CHANCE! Lukaku is agonisingly close to giving the visitors the lead when Osman's ball from some lovely build-up play between Baines and Mirallas bounced into the box, but Lukaku failed to connect his head with the ball just metres from goal and it fell wide of the post.
In a rare spell of possession, Palace manage to force through a corner from a long cross from Bannan, which Chamakh controls, but Distin comes out to push the ball behind the line. Unfortunately for the home side, the corner comes to nothing.
Everton are piling on the pressure and producing wave after wave of attack, but the Palace defence are doing just enough at the moment to keep the visitors out. You do feel like it's just a matter of time, though.
Thomas wins the ball and pulls it back to Bannan, who plays a superb pass to Chamakh, who runs into the box, but the ball bounces in front of him and Howard manages to push the ball out.
It's a positive spell for Palace as they keep on the pressure from a corner kick, which was punched clear from Howard. Bolasie finds himself with the ball on the corner of the box, but he goes for the shot, which dribbles wide.
SAVE! Speroni is forced to drop down to his left side and push the ball away from goal following a shot from Mirallas, who drove inside from the left and unleashed the shot. He put a lot of power on it, but Speroni did enough to keep out the danger.
Oh dear, that's a moment that Baines will not want to relive! Everton get their first corner of the game, and as the England international takes it with his gifted left foot, the ball instantly goes out of play. You'd expect a lot better from him.
Palace manage to counter, but as they start to look threatening, Barry drops back and gets to the ball before Chamakh, halting the home side's attack.
A strange ball back from Jagielka leaves it open for Chamakh to chase. The former Arsenal man brings it down and passes back to Thomas, who wastes an opportunity by launching the ball into the box, aiming for nobody in particular!
Everton go on the attack again. Baines threat the ball into the path of Osman, who plays it out wide to Lukaku. The Belgium international feeds the ball across goal, but Pienaar and Mirallas fail to latch onto it.
Everton are the better side as we surpass the half-hour mark, but while they've had plenty of possession, they haven't had that killer touch in the final third as yet. Palace have had some chances, but they've given the ball away cheaply at times and Chamakh seems quite isolated up front.
Moxey drives down the left-hand side and crosses a low pass into the box, but it's easy for Howard as he just drops over the ball to gather.
MISS! What a miss from Dikcagcoi! Thomas delivers a perfect ball into the box with his teammate waiting in space. Dikcagcoi jumps to head the ball, but it bounces off the wrong side of his head and flies way off target. That should have been the opening goal.
SAVE! What a brilliant save from Howard. Thomas launches a lofting shot towards the right top corner, but with some acrobatics from Howard, he manages to knock the ball out for a corner.
CHANCE! Palace should really be two goals to the good! Bannan delivers a cross into the box and finds the head of Chamakh, who just needed to hammer it in front to hit the back of the net, but his effort misses the target.
It's turning out to be a strong end to the half for Palace, but can they keep it up?
Everton are still having good possession, but are struggling to test the keeper. Osman tries to do so by unleashing a a long-range shot, but Speroni manages to block it.
HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton
It's goalless at half time at Selhurst Park, and I'm sure Palace will be feeling that they should be in the lead. Two headers - one from Dikgacoi and one from Chamakh should have found the back of the net, which would have arguably been against the run of play.
Everton have had the majority of possession and looked like the home side in the opening stages of the match. However, they have struggled to be clinical in the final third, despite some impressive interplay. Martinez looked frustrated on the sidelines when the half-time whistle blew. It'll be interesting to see how he approaches the game in the second 45 minutes.
Bannan had a good half for the home side, executing some well-placed crosses and passes, which Millen will be hoping can continue in the second half. For Everton, Barry has once again been solid in midfield. The Manchester City loanee does all the important and simple things that you may not necessarily notice, but it proves vital in the end.
As it stands, Everton have moved up two places into fifth in the table, while Palace remain unmoved at the bottom of the pile.
The players are coming back onto the field for the second half. Hopefully we'll see a goal or two in the next 45 minutes!
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Everton get us going at Selhurst Park as both sides try to find the opener.
SUBSTITUTION There's been an early change for Palace as Stuart O'Keefe comes on for Dikgacoi, who suffered a thigh injury just before coming out for the second half.
Everton begin the half on the frontfoot just as they did at the start of the game. Mirallas launches a cross into the box to find Pienaar, who steps in front of his marker, but he fails to get a head onto the ball. He lands awkwardly and is walking around the pitch gingerly, but he seems okay at the minute.
At the other end, Bolasie tries to force through a move by crossing into the box with a lofting ball, but Coleman easily clears, allowing Everton to take possession once again.
Despite the visitors' domination in the middle of the park, the Merseyside outfit are getting frustrated going forward. Palace are doing enough to prevent any danger.
MISS! Dear oh dear. What a miss from Thomas. He manages to drive away from the Everton defence, who think that he's offside, but the referee allows play to continue as Thomas goes one-on-one with Howard. He chips the ball over the American, but it falls into the side netting. All he had to do was hit the target. Another opportunity gone!
SUBSTITUTION Everton make a double substitution as Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu come on for Osman and Mirallas.
Barkley's made a positive start already. The midfielder manages to get away from Jedinak and set up a hammering shot towards goal, but it flies above the post.
Given how the game has played out so far, you could predict a goal coming from either side. Palace will need to stop giving the ball away cheaply if they are to get on top in this contest, though.
SUBSTITUTION Palace switch their attacking options by bringing off Chamakh and bringing Cameron Jerome into the fold.
Jerome whips the ball into the area, but none of his teammates manage to get on the end of it, and a potential chance goes missing.
Palace have had a range of attacks in the last few minutes, and Bolasie targets a shot towards goal, but it falls right into the hands of Howard. Bolasie looks rejuvenated in this second half.
At the other end, Deulofeu goes one on one with Moxey, but the defender manages to nick the ball off him, but plays it back to Coleman, who crosses it into the box, but it's cleared by Delaney.
Baines takes a free kick just yards from the edge of the area, and the delivery finds Lukaku, but his header misses the target and fires wide. More frustration for Everton.
Palace should be given credit for their defensive duties today. They've stifled Everton's threat in the final third, and they do it once again by heading clear from an Everton corner.
The home side go on the counter, and the ball is played out wide to Jerome, who drives inside to take a right-footed shot at goal, but it flies over the crossbar.
OFF THE BAR! Everton's best chance of the game comes in the 77th minute, but Jagielka can't convert it. A corner from Baines finds the head of Lukaku, who flicks the ball behind for Jagielka, who heads the ball as he's diving to ground, but his effort bounces of the crossbar.
OFF THE BAR! Everton's best chance of the game comes in the 77th minute, but Jagielka can't convert it. A corner from Baines finds the head of Lukaku, who flicks the ball behind for Jagielka, who heads the ball as he's diving to ground, but his effort bounces of the crossbar.
Everton have upped the pace in these last few minutes, but Palace are holding on well. Can they keep the scoreline as is, or perhaps find the winner for themselves? We have around 10 minutes to find out!
Deulofeu's run is blocked out once again, and it's Thomas this time who comes to Palace's rescue. Everton continue to attack, but the play is halted as Thomas seeks some help with cramp.
SUBSTITUTION Thomas comes off the field as Jason Puncheon comes on to take his place.
You would think that both sides would be going all guns blazing in these last five minutes to get the winner, but it seems to have fizzled out at the moment.
BOOKING! Jedinak receives the first yellow card of the game for bringing down Deulofeu.
Baines lines up to take the free kick...
...but it's a poor effort from the England international as it bounces into the wall. Sums up Baines's day!
Everton get another opportunity from a free kick, but Deulofeu's whipped in cross is headed away by Ward.
Some anxious defending from Palace as Everton continue to press but they manage to do just enough to keep the visitors out.
Some more last-ditch defending from Palace is needed as the ball is launched into the box, but Ward manages to head clear before Deulofeu can reach it. As a result of a clash with Coleman, Moxey is needing some treatment as he's yet to get to his feet.
Thankfully, Moxey looks to be okay, and just a bit dazed and confused. He walks off the pitch as the game edges closer to the final whistle.
FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton
So, there we have it, Palace have their first clean sheet of the season and a valuable point as Everton failed to create enough chances to grab the winner.
Palace will feel that they could have taken maximum points following three close opportunities to find the back of the net, but it wasn't to be. Palace remain at the bottom on four points, while Everton have moved up two places to fifth.
That's all from me today, but make sure you stick around on Sports Mole for all the latest reports and reaction. Until next time, goodbye.
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
