Everton slipped back into the relegation zone despite holding out with 10 men in a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

Sean Dyche's side finished the Selhurst Park encounter a man down after Mason Holgate saw red in the 80th minute for a second yellow card. 

Despite having a numerical advantage in the closing stages, Palace were unable to pick up a fourth successive victory since Roy Hodgson returned for his second spell in charge. 

The veteran boss, 75, said: "It was a tough game, we expected it to be. 

"We knew they are very well drilled and have a clear plan and knew they would ask a lot of questions of us.

"For long parts it did make the game a war of attrition and after our last three games it's not easy for the players to want to play that game — but it gave me as much satisfaction. 

"I've seen moments where we could lose games like that in the past."

The Eagles were the brighter side in the first half but only found the target once through Michael Olise's timid shot from range. 

Everton's best chance of the opening 45 minutes came from Alex Iwobi, who saw his first-time volley palmed to safety by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. 

In the second half, Eberechi Eze thought he had scored his fourth goal in three games after coolly lifting the ball over Jordan Pickford but he was ruled offside in the build-up. 

Shortly after, Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin neatly took the ball on the half-turn and fired just wide before Holgate received his marching orders for bringing down Jordan Ayew. 

But Palace could not capitalise and the spoils were shared. 

Dyche was pleased with the result and glad to see Calvert-Lewin get more minutes under his belt. 

He said: "It's a point earned. The sending off is not easy but it was great to get Dom through and he played more minutes than we thought. 

"He did well, so a mixed bag with a clean sheet against the in-form team in the division. 

"The first half was a flat game, in the second we reacted a bit better. The fight is there, the work ethic and the shape of the team was pretty good and we limited them to a few chances."