Roy Hodgson admitted an FA Cup replay was that last thing his Crystal Palace side and Everton wanted after their 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.
The first match of the FA Cup third round ended goalless, despite the Toffees being reduced to 10 men for the final 11 minutes when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Nathaniel Clyne with the help of VAR.
Palace now face Everton in a replay at Goodison Park in a fortnight, the week leading up to the league trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal.
“Not great”, he said of the prospect of a replay. “It’s the latest thing either of us wanted in a way. Both teams defended well, were difficult to break down, and unfortunately sometimes [a draw happens]. The two teams’ defences did well enough to reduce the number of clear cut chances to a minimum.”
Speaking of the red card to Calvert-Lewin, Hodgson said: “Sean [Dyche] and I were brought up a type of football where most of those challenges were commonplace and went unpunished. Now if you have a bit of intent behind it, there is a risk that the referee will give a red card. But there is definitely no malicious intent from Calvert-Lewin. No question of that. Have I got sympathy with him? Yes I have.”
Hodgson handed summer signing from Flamengo, Matheus Franca, his first start, and replaced the Brazilian with fellow youngster Naourihou Ahamada after 71 minutes.
“It was very difficult for both of them. If you’re the type of players they are, then playing Everton is probably the last thing you want, because of their physicality and the need to be strong. That’s not the players they are. They are players who are technical and gifted.
“The sort of opportunities that came their way to show what they are good at were few and far between. It will do them good going forward.”
Striker Odsonne Edouard came off the bench for his first appearance since picking up a knee injury in December.
Hodgson said: “He’s a bit rusty after being out for quite a long period of time. He’s not playing as he did when he got injured. But we’ve now got almost two weeks before the replay. In that time, he’ll be getting better all the time. It’s very good to have him back.”
