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David Moyes’s European dream is now hanging by a slender thread. Against a Crystal Palace side who have been otherwise distracted by their Conference League exploits, Everton were unable to take their opportunity to close the gap on their rivals as Jean-Philippe Mateta came off the bench to deny them victory.

It could have been even worse for Moyes had the referee, Tom Bramall, awarded a penalty when James Garner hauled down Jørgen Strand Larsen just before half-time or Adam Wharton’s shot not struck the outside of the post in the 90th minute.

A frantic finish that saw Dean Henderson deny Iliman Ndiaye in stoppage time before Mateta missed a great chance to win it for Oliver Glasner’s side meant Everton stretched their unbeaten run against Palace to 11 matches.

But it means they must now rely on other teams dropping points if they are to have a chance of qualifying for Europe next season, while Palace are still not quite mathematically safe from relegation just yet.

• Full report to follow