Grealish’s Stoppage‑Time Winner Ends Palace’s 19‑Game Unbeaten Run

When Jack Grealish, winger for Everton Football Club tapped in a 93rd‑minute stoppage‑time winner at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 5, 2025, the goal not only clinched a 2‑1 comeback win over Crystal Palace FC but also snapped the Eagles’ 19‑match unbeaten streak. Everton’s manager David Moyes celebrated, while Palace boss Oliver Glasner saw his side’s remarkable run come to an abrupt halt.

Background to the Match

Both clubs entered the mid‑season clash with contrasting narratives. Everton, hovering just outside the top half of the table, have been rebuilding under Moyes since his return to Goodison Park in 2023. The Toffees have only managed three wins in their last five league outings, and the summer signing of Grealish was billed as the missing piece to rejuvenate their attack.

Palace, on the other hand, were riding a wave of confidence. Under Glasner, the Eagles had gone unbeaten in 19 consecutive games across all competitions – 12 of those in the Premier League – a feat that placed them among the season’s surprise packages. Their last loss dated back to early March, when a defensive lapse against Sheffield United proved costly.

Match Summary

The opening half belonged largely to Palace. Colombian defender Daniel Muñoz struck from close range in the 22nd minute, fencing the ball past Everton’s keeper Jordan Pickford. The goal came after a sustained period of pressure, with Palace midfielders threading passes that left Everton scrambling.

Everton tried to respond, but Pickford was called upon repeatedly. He tipped a powerful drive over the bar in the 34th minute and later dived to punch a low cross that hit the post. By halftime, the visitors had established a rhythm that suggested a second goal was imminent.

The second half started with Palace continuing to dominate possession. Their left‑back, Joachim Andersen, ventured forward, creating space for forward Jean‑Philippe Mateta to take a shot that rattled the cross‑bar.

Everton’s breakthrough arrived in the 76th minute. A reckless challenge by Andersen inside the box earned a penalty, which was calmly slotted home by Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye. The conversion leveled the score at 1‑1 and injected fresh belief into the home crowd.

What followed was a frantic scramble. Palace pressed for a winner, but each attempt was met by Pickford’s reflexes or a sturdy defensive block. As the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, everyone sensed a possible draw.

Then, in the 93rd minute, a Palace clearance ricocheted off the back of Grealish, who had drifted into the box to support the attack. The ball spun into the net, delivering an almost cinematic finish. The stadium erupted, and Grealish sprinted to the corner flag, a grin breaking across his face as he celebrated his first goal for Everton.

Key Moments and Player Performances

• Jack Grealish’s winner – a deflection rather than a crafted strike, but timing was perfect.
• Iliman Ndiaye – showed composure from the spot, converting under pressure.
• Jordan Pickford – made three crucial saves, keeping Everton in the game.
• Daniel Muñoz – opened the scoring, but his clearance later proved costly.
• Oliver Glasner’s tactics – a high‑press system that left Palace vulnerable at the back in the dying minutes.

Reactions from Managers and Players

After the final whistle, Moyes praised his team’s resilience. “We never gave up,” he said in the post‑match interview. “The lads showed character, and Jack’s goal shows he’s already becoming part of the family.”

Glasner, visibly disappointed, acknowledged the harshness of the defeat. “It hurts to lose like this after such a run, but football is a game of fine margins,” he remarked. “We’ll regroup and focus on the next challenge.”

Grealish, humbled, admitted the goal was a bit of luck. “I was in the right place at the right time,” he laughed. “It’s a great way to open my Everton chapter.”

Implications for the Premier League Race

The three points lift Everton to 12th place with 28 points from 15 games, a modest climb that could prove vital in the fight to avoid relegation. More importantly, the victory restores belief in Moyes’s project, suggesting that the summer signings are beginning to gel.

For Palace, the loss drops them to 5th, still within the European‑qualification spots but now three points behind the leaders. The end of the unbeaten run may serve as a reality check, forcing Glasner to tighten defensive organization ahead of the congested winter schedule.

Looking Ahead

Everton travel to Old Trafford next week to face Manchester United, a fixture that could further test Moyes’s tactics. Meanwhile, Palace host Wolverhampton Wanderers on the same weekend, hoping to bounce back and reignite their momentum.

Both clubs now have a week to recover, analyse, and prepare. The drama at Hill Dickinson Stadium will be remembered as a turning point – a night when a single deflection rewrote the fortunes of two Premier League sides.