What a difference a goal makes. Had Jack Grealish not inadvertently turned in Daniel Munoz’s attempted clearance and saw the ball fly into the Crystal Palace net, the international break could have looked markedly different for Everton.

Yes, there would have been positives to take from an improved second-half performance and the fact they’d snatched a point from an excellent and long-unbeaten Eagles side who deserved more.

But a 1-1 draw would have stretched the Blues’ winless run in all competitions to five matches and left manager David Moyes with plenty to ponder going into the latest enforced interruption in the domestic football calendar.

OPINION

Instead Grealish’s late intervention sealed a dramatic and rousing 2-1 triumph over a Palace team who suffered their first defeat since April. How they must hate facing Everton.