Everton kicked off the new Premier League season with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Crystal Palace, a win secured by the deft finishes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry. Under the fresh guidance of French manager Pierre Sage, Palace were unable to cope with the precision and intensity of David Moyes' side, which finally broke its five‑year streak without an opening‑weekend win.
The performance highlighted a squad that is beginning to gel under Moyes' seasoned leadership. The Everton manager showed confidence in youth by handing 19‑year‑old Harrison Armstrong a central midfield role alongside recent acquisition Hayden Hackney. Armstrong helped set the stage for the opening goal, while Hackney was directly involved in the creation of the second.
Early in the first half, Armstrong’s relentless pressing forced a turnover that allowed Dewsbury‑Hall to slip past defender Chris Richards and unleash a low‑driven shot into the far corner just before the interval. The goal came as a reward for Everton’s high‑pressing approach, which left Palace scrambling for possession. The second half saw a similar pattern. Hackney, positioned at the edge of the box after a free‑kick, delivered a clever pass to Iliman Ndiaye, who surged forward and whipped in a pinpoint cross.
Barry rose above the Palace defence, met the ball with a powerful header and sent it past keeper Dean Henderson, doubling Everton's lead. Tim Sherwood, analysing the match on Soccer Saturday, praised the professionalism of the Toffees, noting, "Armstrong and Hackney were very good – they showed the kind of composure and energy that Moyes wants from his midfield." He added that the young duo’s performances were a clear sign of the squad’s growing maturity. Palace, on the other hand, faded after a promising start.
Their inability to finish chances persisted from the previous season. Jean‑Philippe Mateta missed a golden opportunity when the score was still level, while Eddie Nketiah’s earlier effort was denied by a spectacular save from Jordan Pickford. Nketiah’s curling strike, which struck the post, could have put Palace ahead had it found the back of the net. Statistically, Palace generated an expected‑goals (xG) figure of 2.04 – the highest they have recorded in a Premier League match without scoring since December 2018 – underscoring the frustration of a side that created chances but failed to convert them.
Sherwood summed up Palace’s situation: "They play an attractive brand of football, but at times they need to know when to stay compact. They left spaces for Everton’s counter‑attack, and that cost them. There was some brilliant football from Palace, but the result didn’t go their way." Key moments of the match included: - 17': Pickford produced a world‑class save, denying Nketiah and forcing the ball onto the woodwork.
- 38': Nketiah’s low cross found Mateta, whose shot clanged against the post. - 43': Dewsbury‑Hall scored from a tight angle, beating Dean Henderson with a beautifully placed strike.
- 53': Barry headed Ndiaye’s clever cross over Henderson for the second goal. - 68': Palace midfielder Chadi Riad was stretchered off after sustaining a worrying knee injury. Moyes reflected on his side’s performance, saying, "Both teams had periods of dominance. We could have been a couple of goals down if we hadn’t held our composure.
That world‑class save from Pickford kept us in the game. Once we scored, the confidence grew.
Kiernan’s goal was pivotal, and we managed the rest of the match well, containing Palace effectively." He also singled out his midfield partnership: "They have done great. I’m really pleased with Harrison – he’s earning his place and showing qualities that might not have been noticed elsewhere. Hayden has adapted quickly; players dropping down from the Championship sometimes need time, but he’s performed admirably and deserves credit for his rapid learning curve." Palace manager Pierre Sage admitted his side’s shortcomings: "In the first half we executed our plan, but in the second we allowed Everton to dictate the game.
Our tempo dropped, giving them comfort. We didn’t create enough in the second half and need to be quicker and more decisive.
We deserved the first‑half result, but we missed the mark overall. We will take the lessons and improve for the next match." Overall, the match served as a statement of intent from Everton, showcasing a blend of youthful vigor and tactical discipline. For Palace, the defeat highlighted the fine margins that separate creation from conversion, and the need to sharpen their attacking efficiency as the season progresses. The Toffees now look forward to building on this early success, while Palace must regroup and address the issues that prevented them from capitalising on their chances.