Everton kicked off the new Premier League season on a high note, securing a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace thanks to two polished finishes from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry. Under the fresh guidance of French manager Pierre Sage, the Toffees took full advantage of Palace's wasteful attacking displays, finding the net just before the break and again shortly after the interval to claim their first opening‑weekend triumph in five years.
The display highlighted a side that appears to be growing in confidence under the seasoned stewardship of David Moyes. The manager gave a significant role to 19‑year‑old Harrison Armstrong in midfield, pairing him with recent acquisition Hayden Hackney. Armstrong was directly involved in the build‑up to the opening goal, while Hackney supplied the decisive ball for the second.
Their energy and willingness to press high forced Palace into errors, allowing Everton to dominate possession and create clear-cut chances. The first goal came just before the half‑time whistle.
Armstrong’s relentless pressing won the ball back in the middle of the park, and he quickly fed it to Dewsbury‑Hall, who slipped past Chris Richards and unleashed a low‑driven shot into the far corner. The strike, taken from a tight angle, left Palace goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with little chance to intervene and gave Everton a deserved lead heading into the dressing room. The second half saw Everton maintain their intensity.
From a free‑kick, Hackney displayed quick thinking, sending a well‑timed ball into space for Iliman Ndiaye. The winger, spotting Barry’s run, delivered a precise, cutting cross that met the striker’s head. Barry rose above the defense and powered the ball past Pickford, doubling Everton’s advantage and effectively sealing the match. Tim Sherwood, analysing the game on Soccer Saturday, praised the professionalism of the Toffees, noting that both Armstrong and Hackney had been "very good" in their performances.
He added that Everton’s counter‑attacking prowess, combined with their pace, had punished Palace’s defensive frailties. Palace, on the other hand, struggled to convert the few chances they created. Their conversion woes, a lingering issue from last season, were evident when Jean‑Philippe Mateta missed a golden opportunity after the scoreline remained level.
Earlier, Eddie Nketiah had also failed to find the net, his effort being saved brilliantly by Pickford before rebounding onto the woodwork. The visitors’ expected‑goals figure of 2.04 was the highest they have recorded in a Premier League match without scoring since December 2018, underscoring their inability to finish. In post‑match comments, Pierre Sage admitted that Palace’s second‑half approach lacked urgency.
"In the first half we stuck to our plan, but in the second we allowed the opponent to dictate the game. When we have the ball we don’t play with speed, and that gives the opposition comfort," he said. He emphasized the need for quicker decision‑making and more assertive play to avoid similar outcomes in future fixtures. Moyes reflected on the ebb and flow of the encounter, acknowledging that the match could have swung the other way.
"Both teams had periods where they could have gone a couple of goals down. That world‑class save by Pickford on Nketiah kept us in the game.
Once we scored the first goal, it settled us. Kiernan’s strike was crucial, and we managed the game well after that, containing Palace effectively," he explained. He also lauded the midfield partnership, stating, "They have done great, I’m really pleased. Harrison is earning his place in the team; he has an opportunity here that he might not get elsewhere, and he has shown many positive attributes.
With Hayden, sometimes players from the Championship need time, but he has adapted quickly and deserves praise for his rapid learning curve." The match also featured a few notable incidents beyond the goals. At the 68th minute, Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad was stretchered off after sustaining a concerning knee injury, adding a somber note to an otherwise one‑sided contest.
Overall, Everton’s victory not only provided a morale boost for the squad and its supporters but also signalled that the club may be turning a corner under Moyes’s experienced guidance. The Toffees demonstrated a balanced blend of youthful vigor and tactical discipline, suggesting they could be a formidable opponent as the season progresses. For fans eager to relive the action, the full match highlights are available on the Sky Sports app, and Premier League clips can be watched for free via the league’s official channels. As the campaign unfolds, both Everton and Palace will look to build on the lessons learned from this opening encounter, with Everton aiming to sustain their newfound momentum and Palace seeking to rectify their clinical shortcomings in the weeks ahead.