Seb Williams' volley looked set to secure all three points for Crystal Palace Under-21s in Premier League 2, but Omari Benjamin struck late to earn Everton a share of the spoils at the Academy on Sunday.
Palace created the better opportunities in an evenly contested first half, with Charlie Walker-Smith and Dean Benamar both going close before David Angibeaud was denied one-on-one and Amaari Sealey struck the crossbar.
Seb Williams broke the deadlock shortly after the hour, prodding home on the volley, but Benjamin's 80th-minute equaliser ensured the points were shared, despite both sides pushing for a winner in a frantic finale.
Fresh from making Academy history in midweek, Palace returned to PL2 action looking to carry their momentum into Sunday's clash with Everton.
The Young Eagles booked their place in the EFL Trophy knockout stages for the first time with a hard-fought 2-1 win away at Newport County, David Angibeaud striking a late winner to seal a memorable result.
Darren Powell made three changes, with Lucca Benetton handed his U21s debut in place of Harry Lee. Sean Somade, Nat Kalembo and Kai-Reece Adams-Collman also came in for Taha Majni, Jasper Judd and first-team star Zavier Gozo respectively.
The opening stages had belonged to Everton, who moved the ball confidently and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but Palace gradually grew into the contest.
George King had produced a crucial last-ditch challenge to deny Harry Brookes an early opportunity from close range, before the Young Eagles began to turn the tide approaching the 20-minute mark.
Chuks Okoli saw an effort from distance charged down before turning provider for Walker-Smith, whose acrobatic volley flew over the bar. Benamar then went even closer, narrowly clearing the top-left corner after a neat move involving Nat Kalembo and Williams.
The contest remained finely balanced midway through the half, with both defences holding firm despite Palace beginning to apply greater pressure.
Benamar tested Fraser Barnsley with a fierce effort at his near post after Okoli's miscued strike fell into his path, while Williams' inswinging corner almost caught the Everton ‘keeper out, clipping the near post before being scrambled clear.
Palace finished the half with real impetus, piling forward in search of an opener. Their high press forced an error as Everton attempted to play out from the back, allowing Angibeaud one-on-one, only for the offside flag to deny him.
Benamar then created space brilliantly on the byline before delivering a teasing cross which Sealey volleyed into the ground and against the crossbar.
Everton survived that late flurry and responded with a spell of pressure of their own, winning a succession of set-pieces which Palace managed to withstand.
Williams' curling effort down the left channel sailed over the crossbar and was the final action of the half, leaving the sides goalless at the break despite a thrilling finish.
The second half burst into life from the outset, with Everton threatening to take the lead just two minutes after the restart.
Ceiran Looney raced through one-on-one, but Benetton was quick off his line to produce an excellent save, marking an impressive first stop of his U21s career.
Five minutes later, Looney made way for former Everton first-team midfielder Tom Davies, who almost made an immediate impact. His clever pass looked to release Braaidan Graham, but Walker-Smith raced across to make a superb sliding clearance.
Palace soon began to threaten at the other end. Benamar drove into the area after being released down the left channel by Williams, but his low and hard strike from a tight angle was gathered by the 'keeper.
The Young Eagles then passed up two excellent opportunities through Williams...
First, Kalembo sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Williams could only turn agonisingly wide of the far post. Moments later, a defensive mix-up presented him with a golden opportunity from close range, but he was unable to convert.
He would not have to wait long for redemption, however. Adams-Collman lifted a teasing delivery into the area, Gibbard headed the ball into Williams' path and the forward, stretching to reach it, prodded a volley into the far corner to give Palace the lead.
The goal brought the contest to life, and Palace almost doubled their advantage when King met a cross at the far post and volleyed against the crossbar. Williams then flashed an effort over as the Young Eagles looked to make their advantage count.
Everton responded with a sustained spell of pressure, forcing Palace increasingly deep as a succession of shots and crosses tested Powell's resolute backline. Melvin Matos was becoming a prominent threat for the visitors, with the Young Eagles having to work tirelessly to protect their lead.
Their resistance was eventually broken on 80 minutes. Benjamin raced in behind the Palace defence and lifted the ball over Benetton to restore parity, providing the visitors with a clinical finish to a spell of mounting pressure.
The equaliser set up a frantic finale, with both sides pushing for a winner. Powell introduced Jasper Judd, fresh from his goal against Newport, and prolific U18s forward Donte Martin in search of a late breakthrough, but neither side could find one as the points were shared.
It brought an end to a positive week for the Young Eagles, who made Academy history by reaching the EFL Trophy knockout stages for the first time in midweek.
Powell's side head into the November international break 18th in Premier League Two with eight points, ahead of their return to league action away at Manchester United on Sunday, 29th November (14:00 GMT) – you can watch this game LIVE on Palace TV+!
Palace U21s XI: Benetton (GK); Walker-Smith, King, Somade; Benamar (Judd, 87), Adams-Collman (Danaher, 75), Okoli, Kalembo; Williams, Angibeaud (Martin, 87), Sealey (Gibbard, 62).
Subs not used: Hill, Anderson, Greaves.
Everton U21s XI: Barnsley, Finney (Samuels-Smith, 75), Carrington, Dodds, Tamen (Gardner, 61), Foster (Nsangou, 61), Benjamin, Matos, Loney (Davies, 51), Brookes (Olayiwola, 61), Graham.
Subs not used: Patrick, Bates.
