Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson had no regrets about his decision to protect the likes of Eberechi Eze for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Arsenal after substituting his star player in their FA Cup exit at Everton.
Trailing 1-0 to Andre Gomes’ brilliant first-half free-kick, Hodgson took off Eze – their most dangerous player – Tyrick Mitchell and Nathaniel Clyne after 64 minutes, with Jefferson Lerma and Odsonne Edouard following seven minutes later.
Eze’s withdrawal brought chants of, “You don’t know what you’re doing” from visiting fans but Hodgson said the way they finished they game, forcing Everton back-up goalkeeper Joao Virginia into a couple of good late saves, proved there was nothing wrong with his decision.
Asked whether he understood supporters’ frustrations he said: “Absolutely. We had to think very carefully about it.
“I appreciate for the fans it is a long way to come. I would’ve been disappointed to see Eze come off as he is one of our best players but I would have been equally disappointed if he had played another 35 minutes, got injured and put himself out for Arsenal.
“In the last 30 minutes of the game we had three or four goal chances. I thought this was a day when we deserved better than a defeat.
“The major point for us is that we get home at 2am and at 12.30 we play Arsenal on Saturday so that was our problem.
“I was able to at least spare three of the very important players for the weekend after 60 minutes and another couple after 70 minutes.
“We should be in a slightly better position to confront Arsenal because that will be a vitally-important game.”
On a fifth failure to get beyond the third round in eight years, Hodgson added: “It’s our own fault.
“If we had wanted to progress in the cup serenely we would have won the game at home. We didn’t, we drew 0-0 which forced us into a replay.”
Gomes’ goal was his first at Goodison Park in almost five years but it required an impressive performance from Virginia for Everton to progress to a home tie against fellow Premier League strugglers Luton.
Boss Sean Dyche revealed Abdoulaye Doucoure, just back after missing five matches with a hamstring problem, will be sidelined again after injuring the hamstring in his other leg against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Match-winner Gomes played in Doucoure’s position against Palace, but Dyche admits it is not his natural position.
“We know Gomes has had a really up and down time with injuries,” he said.
“I said to him when he came back (in pre-season) I can see him being part of what we do as he was unsure at that time about whether he was going to be here or not.
“We know he can play and it is finding the right spot for him. I don’t think he is true number 10 but we know he can deal with the ball in there and he found his way into the game.”
On Virginia, who also did well in the original tie, Dyche added: “I think he has moved on a long way this season.
“He made clear decisions, made a good save in the first half (from Mitchell) and then the one at the end (from Jeffrey Schlupp) he gets across quick and makes a good save.”
Mainoo one of three England players to pull out of Nations League squad
England have been dealt a triple injury blow before their Nations League matches, with Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ezri Konsa pulling out of the squad.
Earlier on Monday, the Three Lions were boosted by the confirmation that Harry Kane's injury against Eintracht Frankfurt was not serious, and he would be able to play a part in the October fixtures.
However, the trio did not arrive with the rest of the squad at St. George's Park, and Lee Carsley is not expected to call up any replacements.
Mainoo made his international debut earlier this year and has made 10 appearances for England, with one of those caps coming under Carsley against Ireland, but a knee injury that forced him off for Manchester United against Aston Villa will keep him out.
Konsa was also forced off in the second half of that match, having suffered a hamstring injury in the 0-0 draw.
Gibbs-White, who was handed his senior England debut by the manager last month, also sustained his issue on Sunday, in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. At under-21 level, the midfielder made 15 appearances under Carsley, with only six players featuring more under him.
England host Greece at Wembley on Thursday before travelling to Helsinki to face Finland on Sunday.
Dixon settling nicely into life at Charlton Athletic; excited to represent Reggae Boyz once again
Charlton Athletic and Jamaica striker Kaheim Dixon says he’s settling into life nicely in the English capital after his summer move from Arnett Gardens FC.
Dixon, who turned 20 on October 4, recently recorded a goal and an assist on his debut for Charlton’s Under 21s against Watford Under 21s.
“Settling in well. I’ve been getting support on and off the field. They’re treating me like family,” Dixon said of his time at Charlton so far in an interview with JFF Live on Monday.
Dixon says he’s also getting support from fellow 20-year-old Reggae Boy Karoy Anderson who has been at Charlton Athletic since 2013 and broke into the first team in 2022.
“Yes, that’s my guy as well. He’s looking out for me as a fellow Jamaican,” Dixon said.
Dixon has been selected to represent the Reggae Boyz in their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Nicaragua and Honduras.
“It’s a great feeling coming back to the national camp to represent my country once again,” Dixon said.
“We’re looking to grab all six points from these games,” he added.
Jamaica will first take on Nicaragua on the road on October 10 before returning home to host Honduras on October 14.
The group held their first training session on Monday at Stadium East and will hold another one tomorrow.
“It was good, high intensity. Everyone was happy and smiling so I thought it was good,” Dixon said of the session on Monday.
Jamaica currently lead League A Group B of the Nations League with four points from two games, same as Nicaragua while Honduras are third on three.
Quansah signs new long-term Liverpool deal
Jarell Quansah has signed a long-term contract at Liverpool.
The defender has been at the club since the age of five and enjoyed an impressive breakout season under Jurgen Klopp last season.
He made 33 appearances in all competitions under the German and netted his first goal for the club in the Europa League in December against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Among Liverpool players in the Premier League last campaign, he made the joint-third most blocks (eight) and won 22 of his 25 tackles in the competition.
So far under Arne Slot, he has made just two appearances, playing the first half of their top-flight opener against Ipswich Town and the EFL Cup match against West Ham.
"I couldn't be happier at this minute," the 21-year-old told Liverpool's website.
"I think the way the new manager has come in; his coaching style has definitely been a massive part of that and I think it is the best club in the world for me to develop at and become a better player.
"I think the players around me, who I'm looking to work hard off and listen to, I think they're the best in the position at the minute. So, like I said, there is probably no better place I could be."
Liverpool are also reportedly in talks with Ibrahima Konate over a new contract, while the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are all in the final year of their contracts, are still yet to be sorted.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
