Roy Hodgson believes Everton's 'bullish' approach is something his Crystal Palace side will have to be fully aware of ahead of today's Premier League clash.
The Blues will hope to earn three more valuable points in their bid to stave off relegation once more this season, with Palace themselves looking to bridge a further gap between themselves and the bottom three.
Hodgson, who returned to Selhurst Park back in March following Patrick Vieira's appointment, insisted that Everton's tactical approach is nothing new, stating it is merely part of the modern game.
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''There’s nothing wrong with that,'' began the former England boss. ''Top teams are physical. Manchester City are not easy to bully physically; Arsenal aren’t easy to bully physically; and they’re the two teams at the top of the league.
“If you don’t have that ability to stand up for yourselves, win challenges and really use the athleticism and the physicality your team possesses, you’re not going to do well.
“I don’t see them [Everton] as being over-physical or over-aggressive, I just see them as a team that uses those weapons all teams want to have in the right way.”
Having faced off against the Toffees boss Sean Dyche on many occasions in the past, Hodgson also spoke on his admiration for the former Burnley manager and praised his job so far at Goodison Park this season.
“I know him quite well. I like him very much as a person. He’s an excellent manager,'' added Hodgson. “He not only knows a lot about football, he’s got the ability to communicate his ideas and knowledge of the game, and to sell those ideas to the players he works with. There’s no doubt the places where he’s worked have benefitted from that.
“I have every respect for him not only as a manager, but as a human being as well. I look forward to seeing him tomorrow and can only congratulate him on the job he’s done at Everton since being given the task to try to make certain the club stay in the league.”
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