A late Seamus Coleman goal was enough to seal maximum points for Everton in a tough encounter with Crystal Palace.

Ronald Koeman’s side enjoyed their best chance of the first half when Romelu Lukaku struck the post while compatriot Christian Benteke hit the crossbar for the hosts.

After the interval Ross Barkey appeared to have come closest to scoring when he latched onto a brilliant Tom Davies through ball but failed to convert.

Three minutes from time, Coleman converted from six yards but the winner came in controversial circumstances as Jeffrey Schlupp lay injured in the Everton penalty area.

Here were the key talking points from Selhurst Park:

Unpredictable but winning feeling remains

 

Everton are many things, but predictable is one of the last things that can be levelled at Ronald Koeman’s side.

Fresh from trouncing Manchester City last weekend, a hat-full of goals against a struggling Crystal Palace should have been – on paper at least – a dead cert.

But the Blues did everything except find the net until Seamus Coleman’s 87th-minute winner

They were not helped that Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was in fine form – saving first-half efforts from Romelu Lukkau and Ramiro Funes Mori.

Sterner tests will come for Everton but this represents a solid performance and result on the road and hints that a strong finish to the season could be on the cards.

Barkley’s time to shine

 

He has dominated headlines for his inconsistency this season, but this was most certainly one of Ross Barkley’s better performances, arguably Man of the Match deserving.

This was type of display that had originally left Everton fans ecstatic about their latest world class talent in-waiting just 18 months ago.

Here, he caused Palace the most problems and was involved in everything good about the visitors’ approach.

The England international was unlucky not to get on the score sheet with good chances in both halves that were saved by Hennessy in the Palace goal.

Can Barkley kick on and put in these type of performances week in, week out

With fresh blood in the squad and Koeman’s side now on a winning run of form, this offers the ideal opportunity for him to dispel doubters.

Still room for Blues’ improvement

 

For all their possession and endeavour, Everton found it tough to find a way through a defence that Sam Allardyce has been tasked with tightening up.

They did the simple things very well but the end product, the final ball, was often disappointing as their build up play was guilty of being slightly ponderous.

Crosses from Mason Holgate and Coleman on the right were easy meat for the Palace back line in the first half while the hosts dropped deeper after the break.

The fact that Everton picked up maximum points after the Eagles dropped deeper in a bid to grind out an all-important point will revive hopes of a top six finish.

More aggression and directness on the counter could see Koeman have an embarrassment of riches with the makings of a very good team at his disposal.

Closer look at new boys bodes well

 

Koeman hopes to make more additions before the January transfer window closes but Everton’s first new recruits have offered promising glimpses.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Ademola Lookman were once again both afforded substitute outings following last weekend’s cameos in the 4-0 hammering of City.

Coming on for Gareth Barry, the former Manchester United midfielder afforded Everton the chance to push further up and put Palace under additional pressure.

Lookman, meanwhile, almost added a second goal in as many games with his first touch as he forced Hennessey into a low save from close range.

Both players have offered an extra dimension; Schneiderlin’s play-making skills should take some pressure off Barkley’s shoulders, and Lookman’s natural aggression and attacking skills will replace the departing Gerard Deulofeu and the inconsistent Kevin Mirallas.

So far, so good, then, for Koeman’s winter transfer dealings.