If the result against Manchester City felt like a hammer blow to Everton’s morale, then Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace was the start of the nail going into the coffin for their European hopes next season. There’s still a tiny chance heading into the final two games, but it’s shaping up to be a disappointing end to a season of progress—one that could leave a bitter taste.

Neither team played particularly well at Selhurst Park, but neither were awful either. It was a classic mid-table clash between two sides who aren’t great in possession. For Everton fans eyeing Oliver Glasner as a potential replacement for David Moyes this summer, a word of caution: don’t expect a dramatic improvement in ball retention under the Austrian.

What Palace do have, and Everton lacked, is a player who makes everything tick in midfield. James Garner had a decent game, but he’s no Adam Wharton. Wharton was the coolest head in a frantic match, completing 52 of 63 passes, creating two chances, and hitting the woodwork late on. That’s the kind of metronomic presence Everton need to target in the summer transfer window.

I hate to keep repeating myself about Michael Keane and James Tarkowski, but I’m going to anyway: this partnership simply doesn’t work. Tarkowski’s form has dropped off sharply since he’s been paired regularly with Keane again. Keane was arguably at fault for Palace’s first goal, and both defenders retreated toward the goal line instead of engaging Jean-Philippe Mateta for Palace’s second equalizer. It’s time to move on—Jake O’Brien should get a chance in central defense for the final two games, and maybe even Nathan Patterson could step in.

For Everton, the lesson is clear: if they want to compete for Europe, they need a midfield general and a reliable defensive partnership. The summer window can’t come soon enough.