WATCH: Ex-Barcelona player Andre Gomes hits a SENSATIONAL free-kick to seal FA Cup victory for Everton against Crystal Palace

Here's a look at Andre Gomes' sublime free-kick that saved Everton.

WATCH: Ex-Barcelona player Andre Gomes hits a SENSATIONAL free-kick to seal FA Cup victory for Everton against Crystal Palace

Andre Gomes' stunning free-kick saved Everton against Crystal Palace. (Via X/@eurofootcom)

Amidst all the Financial Fair Play (FFP) and Profit and Sustainability sanctions looming over their head, Everton fans finally have something to smile about. The Blues took on Crystal Palace at Goodison Park in the FA Cup. In a closely fought encounter, the home side managed to pick up a much-needed win thanks to a spectacular strike from former Barcelona man, Andre Gomes.

Andre Gomes came to the spotlight following his transfer to FC Barcelona in 2016. The Portuguese midfielder came to the Premier League after three years at Barca. The player also went viral for a ‘horror’ injury sustained in 2019. While many fans were not even aware of Gomes being in the Everton squad, his goal comes as a pleasant surprise for fans and a sigh of relief for Sean Dyche.

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As for the goal itself, Gomes stood over a free-kick that was well within range. The Everton #21’s strike went up and over the Palace wall, and beyond the reach of Sam Johnstone who saw the strike hit the inside of the far post and go in.

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The crowd erupted in cheers as Gomes booked Everton’s spot in the fourth round of the competition against Luton Town. Gomes’s goal marked Everton’s first free-kick goal since. 2019, scored by another ex-Barca player, Lucas Digne.

Everton has done ‘everything possible’ to comply with the rules – Sean Dyche

Amidst reports of a second consecutive points deduction, Everton manager Sean Dyche admitted that any ‘distraction’ is welcome at the club. This came through a much-needed win at Goodison Park on Wednesday as the manager shed light on the charges that loom over the club. The manager is currently working under a 10-point deduction, as dealt with by the league back in November.

Sean Dyche has defended the club’s finances during his tenure at the club. (Via X/@centregoals)

Moreover, Dyche explained that even though a lot may have gone wrong in ‘player trading’ in the past, the club is doing a lot to ‘right these wrongs’. The club is also appealing against the initial 10-point sanction as news of a second sanction hit the club. Everton’s journey in the Premier League may very well end if the proposed second deduction comes into effect.

Dyche elaborated:

We've let players we would've kept going out of contact since my arrival. The club has been working hard to lower everything. We also sold three youngsters to keep the money in check; players we wouldn't have normally sold.
Sean Dyche to the reporters

As it stands, Everton are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup and sit 17th in the league, one point above the relegation zone.

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