Date: 30th September 2016 at 11:22am
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Goodison Park provides the backdrop for the opening Premier League game of the weekend when Everton host Crystal Palace on Friday night, as Ronald Koeman’s side aim to return to winning ways.

The Merseysiders suffered their first league defeat of the campaign at the hands of AFC Bournemouth last Saturday, with the Cherries recording a 1-0 win to secure maximum points at the Vitality Stadium.

Junior Stanislas’ long-range effort 23 minutes into the fixture proved to be the difference in Dorset, on a frustrating afternoon for the Blues.

Despite the setback on the south-coast, a result which meant that Everton dropped down to fifth place, the Toffees remain unbeaten on home soil in the top-flight since March, but they will need to be wary of a Palace side who are buoyed by three-straight victories.

Alan Pardew’s Eagles make the journey up to the North-West currently residing in seventh position in England’s top division, following a 3-2 triumph away at Sunderland last weekend.

Jermain Defoe’s double in either half put the hosts into the ascendancy at the Stadium of Light, before strikes from Joe Ledley, James McArthur and Christian Benteke’s towering injury-time header turned the game on its head in favour of the Croydon outfit.

Friday night’s contest will also be a significant occasion for Everton’s industrious winger Yannick Bolasie, as he faces his former employers for the first time since his £25m move in the summer.

The two sides last faced one another in a goalless draw at Selhurst Park back in April, in a game that yielded a red card for Everton’s James McCarthy.

dew, Manager of Crystal Palace - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Pardew’s Palace have risen to seventh in the Premier League following three successive victories – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

Muhamed Besic will be absent for Everton with a long-term knee injury which will keep him out until February, while fellow midfielders Darron Gibson and McCarthy are also sidelined for the clash at home to Palace with respective knee and groin issues.

For the visitors, centre-back Scott Dann is out with a hamstring complaint.

Loic Remy joins him on the treatment table with a thigh strain. Defender Pape Souare is a long-term absentee with serious thigh and jaw injuries he sustained in a recent car accident.

League Positions: Everton – 5th (13pts); Crystal Palace – 7th (10pts)
Last Meeting: Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton – (April 13, 2016)
League Form: Everton – DWWWWL; Crystal Palace – LLDWWW
Key Men: Everton – Romelu Lukaku; Crystal Palace – Christian Benteke
Shoot Says: Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace
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