Romelu Lukaku saves Everton’s blushes by firing a late leveler at Goodison – his eleventh goal of the season. Palace’s Scott Dann scores for the third time this term as his side grabs a point to hold steady in sixth spot.
Lukaku Scoring Spree Continues
Romelu Lukaku struck in the 81st minute to restore parity as Everton secured a 1-1 home draw against Crystal Palace. The Belgian frontman brought up his half-ton for the Toffees with a close-range strike and also hit the woodwork twice – he now boasts six goals in five outings, having last drawn a blank back in Gameweek 10. Over 47% of all Fantasy managers have recruited Lukaku to their three-man strike forces and that percentage only looks set to bloom ahead of the Merseysiders’ excellent run (nor, LEI, new, STO) through to the New Year.
In an irksome turn of events for Gerard Deulofeu’s 3% ownership, Garry Barry earned the assist for Lukaku’s goal after he got a slight touch on the Spaniard’s low cross. Although Everton amassed eight goals in their last three match-ups, Deulofeu scooped a solitary assist and mustered zero attempts. Conversely, Ross Barkley chalked up three goals, two assists, nine attempts and five shots inside the box, rendering him the most alluring alternative – or accompaniment – to Lukaku.
Dann Nets Again
Scott Dann nodded home with 14 minutes left on the clock to bag his second goal in as many road ties and third of the campaign. The Eagles’ aerial dominance is illustrated by the fact that their proportion of goals from set pieces (45%) is the highest in the league – encouraging investment in the 5.3-priced centre-back. Alan Pardew’s outfit aren’t renowned for their defensive resolve, yet only three sides conceded fewer goals (five) over the last six Gameweeks, which bodes well for their clean-sheet prospects during a decent winter schedule (SOU, sto, bou, SWA).
Jason Puncheon etched his name onto the scoreboard with his third assist of the season. The 5.7-priced midfielder was a viable differential in the past two terms but has failed to net through the first 15 Gameweeks, despite carding just four fewer attempts (28 compared to 32) and one fewer shot inside the box (13 to 14) than Yannick Bolasie. The latter looks the prime route into Palace’s attack at present, given that he tallied three goals and five more shots on target (seven to two) than Yohan Cabaye over the last four Gameweeks.
