Man City on-loan forward Jack Grealish notched his first goal on Sunday, October 5, since joining Everton in late July. This wasn’t just any goal but a record-breaking one as his goal not only earned his side a win against in-form Palace but also broke their 19-game unbeaten run since April 2024; Palace have not lost in any of their last nineteen matches.

But Grealish’s 93rd-minute goal broke this record. Crystal Palace notched their lead at the thirty-seventh (37th) minute into the game through Daniel Muñoz, who finished neatly after getting a pass from Ismaila Sarr.

Before that, Tyrick Mitchell had already hit the post, and Palace looked the better team for most of the first half.

Everton’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, was playing his 300th Premier League match.

David Moyes' team returned from the second half with a whole new momentum. Moyes substituted Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry at half-time and replaced them with Charly Alcaraz for added energy and control, and Beto.

Everton neutralised Crystal Palace's lead with an equaliser in the 76th minute when Iliman Ndiaye scored a penalty after Maxence Lacroix fouled Tim Iroegbunam in the box.

Just when it looked like the game would end in a draw, Jack Grealish, on loan from Manchester City, scored in the 93rd minute.

He scored after the Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson blocked Beto’s header, and Grealish reacted quickly to score the rebound.

In a post-match interview, Grealish expressed his excitement after notching such a goal for his side.

He told Everton TV,

“I'm over the moon to get my first goal and to do it here at Hill Dickinson in front of the Evertonians.”

Statistics for the Crystal Palace and Everton game

Everton led in possession, passing accuracy, big chances, and attacking touches. Crystal Palace led in defensive metrics like tackles, clearances, and fouls committed.

Both teams had equal saves (5) and no red cards.

See Palace's unbeaten run since April 2024

They won their final 6 matches of the 2023/24 Premier League season and secured victory in the FA Cu p final in May 2025. Community Shield win in August 2025.

They didn't lose in any of their first 6 matchdays of the 2025/26 Premier League season. And all these achievements, the Eagles have made under head coach Oliver Glasner’s tenure.

Oliver Glasner joined Crystal Palace on February 19, 2024, taking over from Roy Hodgson, who stepped down earlier that month due to health concerns and poor form.

Meanwhile, the on-loan midfielder has displayed incredible form since he joined Everton about a month ago. He has won about two Man of the Match awards already, admitting a tactical freedom he has earned with the Toffees, which is bringing out the best in him.

Speaking during an interview with SkySports’ Tim Sherwood, the England forward, though admitting his off-field lifestyle affected his form and effectiveness on the pitch, stressed that that was not entirely the case.

One of the major things that affected him was an emotional disconnect at Etihad, hence his move to his current club. According to him, he is most effective in an environment where he feels loved and welcomed.

"I'm at my best when I feel loved. You know, I'm quite vulnerable off the pitch, and I wanted to go somewhere to just feel the love again and just wake up with a smile on my face and want to play again," he added.

Jack’s last days at Etihad are generally described as difficult. For one who is normally listed as a starter in Pep’s squad, particularly in key matches, Grealish began losing his spot, leading to his starting in just seven matches out of 38 Premier League matches in the 2024/25 season, with two youngsters, Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden, taking his spot with more energy and finishing.

Pep, during a media conference, addressed concerns raised about Grealish’s limited time, and he said,

“You have to fight with Savinho—the impact he has had this season is amazing. Jeremy Doku is incredible, a top player as well. Phil Foden can play on the left as well; that's the point. It's never against a player from my point of view. It's OK, accept the challenge, prove you are the best.”

He also added:

“I want much more… This is the level I would like to see from Jack. But it has not been like that”. While he never publicly addressed Jack’s dip in form to his off-field lifestyle, it is reported that Guardiola warned Grealish privately about his off-field activities, suggesting they could affect his form and future at the club, which subsequently did.

While at Man City, some pundits blame his slump in form on Pep, for trying to mould Grealish into a possession-heavy, disciplined winger, which clashed with his natural free-flowing style. Analysts noted he became a “shadow of his best self” as he was asked to prioritise ball retention over flair.

However, under the leadership of Moyes, Everton’s coach, Jack says the tactical freedom he’s found has reignited his spark.

"I don't mean this in an arrogant way, but I do like it when managers say, 'you're the footballer, go and do what you want to do.'

"Obviously, you have your jobs. You have your roles to do without the ball and set pieces, but he says to me, 'when you get the ball, just go and do what you want to do.'"

Grealish is next in action when Everton face West Ham in the Premier League at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

Jack Grealish officially joined Everton on August 13, 2025, on a season-long loan from Manchester City at a reported fee of £15 million for the season. Since joining Everton, he has provided 4 assists in 5 league games, after which he won Man of the Match vs Brighton & Wolves, earning praises for his creativity and tempo control. He currently has an average rating of 7.48, the highest among Everton midfielders.

Jack Grealish joined Man City in 2021 in a £100m deal from Aston Villa, which was described as the most expensive in the history of football at the time. Jack Grealish spent a total of 19 years at Aston Villa, including his youth and senior career. He joined the club’s academy in 2002 at the age of six and remained there until 2021.