Jack Grealish's stoppage-time winner earned Everton a 2-1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace - but it was Adam Wharton who impressed at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Jack Grealish and Adam Wharton during Everton's 2-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace
Jack Grealish and Adam Wharton during Everton's 2-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace
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Adam Wharton believes complacency was to blame for the end of his Crystal Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run against Everton. Jack Grealish scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner as the Blues came from behind at Hill Dickinson Stadium to secure a 2-1 victory over Oliver Glasner’s side.
The defeat was Palace's first in all competitions since April 16 and midfielder Wharton admitted: “We had good possession of the ball, got in good positions, had some good chances and we should have been out of sight really, but we weren't and I think we got a bit complacent as we were playing so well, but you can't do that in the Premier League.
“They got a goal back and the crowd got behind them, a great atmosphere for them to kick on, get the momentum and it was difficult from there.
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“It's great to look back on (the run), but we weren't really too focused on that, we were taking it game by game as they come thick and fast – we're in four competitions this season – and three games a week is a lot.
“We have a few internationals going away, but we can look back and see where we can improve. Once the games start again, we will forget about it.”
Wharton also shut down suggestions that Palace’s midweek trip to Poland to take on Dynamo Kyiv in the Conference League played a part in the defeat.
“We made a few subs, and we can't be putting it down to playing on Thursday," he said. "This is what our whole season is going to look like.
“We've got four competitions to play in, so we're going to be playing a lot of games. We can't be making excuses, saying we played on Thursday.
“We've got three days to recover. We've got 90 minutes to work hard and grind out a result. I don't think we can put it down to that. It’s just frustrating.”
Grealish, who joined Everton on loan from Manchester City during the summer transfer window, was named player of the match afterwards.
However, in an interview with Sky Sports, the England international humbly said that Wharton should have won the award instead of him.
And responding to Grealish’s claim, Wharton said: “I worked hard. I try and give my best for the team every single game to try and help us win. That's what I try to do every single game.
“Jack's a top player. He's obviously kicked on since he moved here. He played well and scored the winning goal, so it’s a good game from him.
“I'm not too fussed about any award. I just want to win every game. Unfortunately we didn’t do that.”
Wharton's Palace team-mate Daichi Kamada believes his side’s failure to score a second goal while in the ascendancy cost them all three points.
He said: “Yeah, obviously, we are very disappointed in the result. I think we performed really well until we conceded. We had so many opportunities to score. We should have decided the game, but we couldn't.
“And then after we conceded, the stadium atmosphere was really difficult to play in for us. Yeah, it’s disappointing.
“I think in the second-half also we were doing very well, but in the Premier League, when we have the opportunity, we have to decide the game.
“Obviously they are also a good team, and there are so many good offensive players. Yeah, I think if we would have scored in the second goal, it would have been a completely different game, but we couldn't do it.”