Ex-Leeds United star slams what Roy Hodgson did in 'whimpering' Crystal Palace defeat at Everton

Former Leeds United star Danny Mills slammed Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson for his conservative substitutions against Everton on Wednesday night, accusing the Eagles of being knocked out of the FA Cup with a 'whimper'.

The two Premier League sides replayed their third-round tie at Goodison Park having drawn 0-0 at Selhurst Park earlier this month. Again, there was little to separate the two teams, with a stunning Andre Gomes free kick just before halftime all that separated the two sides in a 1-0 Toffees win.

Chasing the game in the second half, Hodgson made the surprise move to bring off key man Eberechi Eze with 25 minutes on the clock, the 25-year-old making way for Matheus França. The Eagles manager was booed by travelling supporters at Goodison Park, who chanted "you don't know what you're doing".

Former defender Mills, who was commentating on talkSPORT, also poured scorn on Hodgson. He said: "I know Roy Hodgson is cautious by nature, but you're 1-0 down in a cup match, 25 minutes to go away from home. Just throw caution into the wind, surely? You might as well lose 2-0 as to lose 1-0 and go out with a whimper."

As the game drew to a close, the pundit went on to add: "They haven't really changed style or tact. Palace don't really look like a side chasing the game."

Mills, who also played for Charlton Athletic and Manchester City, also criticised Hodgson for bringing on Jean-Philippe Mateta in place of Odsonne Édouard, rather than fielding the two strikers at the same time.

The two FA Cup fixtures mean that Crystal Palace are yet to score this year and only Burnley and Sheffield United have mustered fewer than the Eagles' 22 goals. The London club have been linked with strikers in the January transfer window, namely Arsenal man Eddie Nketiah, although the Gunners are unwilling to sell their player without a replacement.