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James McCarthy was dismissed on 52 minutes for Everton

Crystal Palace could not record back-to-back wins for the first time since December as 10-man Everton held out for a draw at Selhurst Park.

James McCarthy was sent off for fouls on Yohan Cabaye and Yannick Bolasie, and Toffees keeper Joel Robles did well to keep out Jason Puncheon's effort.

Everton - winless in five league games - struck the bar with a fine Ross Barkley strike before the dismissal.

They defended resolutely late on and have 40 points, two more than Palace.

Both Palace and Everton have a comfortable cushion on Sunderland - who sit in the final relegation place on 27 points - but the stalemate will do little to lift scrutiny of their worrying form.

Look back on the goalless draw at Selhurst Park

Ten-man Everton stand tall

The Toffees showed application in sticking to their task after losing midfielder McCarthy, who had completed 100% of his 28 passes before the red card on 52 minutes.

Robles made six saves in all but deserved credit for his stop at the feet of Puncheon, who had time and space and could have scored for the second successive game.

Roberto Martinez praises 'incredible' Toffees

However, it was Barkley's rasping 20-yard drive off the crossbar that was easily the closest anyone came to breaking the deadlock.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez - a subject of criticism from sections of the club's fanbase - was undoubtedly more pleased than his opposite number Alan Pardew.

"It was a more than decent result," said Martinez. "The resilience and hard work, and to be able to be so solid, was great.

"We had as many chances. Joel Robles had to be at his best but it was a level game. To play like that with 10 men, it was incredibly satisfying."

'Wow...we should have won that'

Palace struggled to carve the visitors open, despite their one-man advantage, and boss Pardew admitted himself that he expects more from his forwards.

Point means no relegation - Alan Pardew

Dwight Gayle attempted an audacious overhead kick in the first half which went just wide of the post, while Emmanuel Adebayor - on as a second-half substitute - looked lively in the box but lacked the killer touch.

Palace earned their first league win since December on Saturday against Norwich, and Pardew said: "I would have taken four points from these last two games... but wow, we should have won that.

"Although I'm frustrated, I'm pleased with another good performance. I want my offensive players to be a bit hotter, but I'm pleased with two clean sheets."

Man of the match - Seamus Coleman

Seamus Coleman was a livewire for Everton. The Republic of Ireland international had two shots on target and exploited the right wing for the visitors

The stats you need to know

James McCarthy was shown his first Premier League red card in his 201st game in the competition.

Everton have now been shown 83 red cards in Premier League history - at least two more than any other side.

After 12 games without a clean sheet in 2016, Crystal Palace have now not conceded in their last two Premier League fixtures.

The Toffees have scored just one goal in their last four Premier League games.

What next?

Everton host Southampton on Saturday, while Crystal Palace travel to Arsenal on Sunday.