Everton kicked off the new Premier League season with a confident 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, securing their first opening‑weekend win in five years thanks to well‑crafted strikes from Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall and Thierno Barry. Under the guidance of manager David Moyes, the Toffees imposed their game plan from the first whistle, exploiting Palace's wasteful finishing and taking advantage of the tactical adjustments introduced by French coach Pierre Sage. The goals came on either side of the interval, highlighting Everton's ability to control the tempo and capitalize on chances when they mattered most. The match illustrated a side that is growing in maturity under Moyes' experienced hand.
The manager placed a great deal of trust in 19‑year‑old midfielder Harrison Armstrong, pairing him with recent acquisition Hayden Hackney in the centre of the park. Armstrong was directly involved in the build‑up to the opening goal, while Hackney supplied the decisive pass for the second strike, demonstrating how the young duo are beginning to influence the team's rhythm. The first half unfolded with Everton pressing high and forcing errors.
A swift turnover by Armstrong saw the ball fall to Dewsbury‑Hall, who dribbled past defender Chris Richards before unleashing a low‑driven effort that curled into the far corner just before the break. The goal not only broke the deadlock but also seemed to lift the entire Everton side, giving them the confidence to manage the remainder of the half with composure.
After the interval, Palace attempted to regroup, but a clever free‑kick routine orchestrated by Hackney allowed Iliman Ndiaye to make a quick run into space. Ndiaye's delivery found Barry, who rose above the defence to meet the ball with a powerful header, sending it past Palace keeper Dean Henderson. The second goal underscored Everton's effectiveness on the counter‑attack, combining speed, precision and the aerial threat of Barry.
Tim Sherwood, analysing the game on Soccer Saturday, praised the professionalism of the Everton outfit, singling out Armstrong and Hackney for their impressive performances. "Everton did a professional job. Armstrong and Hackney were very good," he remarked, highlighting how the youngsters have begun to earn the trust of a seasoned manager.
Palace, on the other hand, struggled to convert the few chances they created. Their finishing woes echoed the problems that plagued them last season. Jean‑Philippe Mateta missed a golden opportunity when the score was still level, while Eddie Nketiah saw his effort saved by a world‑class stop from Jordan Pickford before it rattled the woodwork. Nketiah later forced a spectacular save from Pickford that could be described as a "save of the season," only to see his follow‑up glance off the post.
Statistically, Palace's expected goals (xG) of 2.04 marked the highest xG they have recorded in a Premier League match without finding the net since December 2018, underscoring how unlucky they were on the day. Their inability to finish, combined with Everton's defensive discipline, meant that the visitors were left frustrated despite moments of attractive play.
Sherwood also noted that Palace's style, while aesthetically pleasing, sometimes left them vulnerable against a well‑organised counter‑attack. "They play a really attractive style of football but just sometimes you have to pick when to play open. They played right into the hands of Everton," he said, adding that Everton's pace on the break proved decisive. Key moments of the match included: - 17': Pickford produced a stunning reflex save to deny Nketiah, pushing the striker's shot onto the frame.
- 38': Nketiah's low cross found Mateta, who could only manage a shot that clanged against the post. - 43': Dewsbury‑Hall scored with a clinical finish from a tight angle, beating Henderson. - 53': Barry headed Barry's cross from Ndiaye into the net, giving Everton a comfortable lead.
- 68': Palace defender Chadi Riad was stretchered off after sustaining a concerning knee injury, adding a further blow to the home side. Moyes reflected on his team's performance, acknowledging the fine margins that could have altered the result.
"Both teams had periods in the game. We could easily have been a couple of goals down. It was a worldie save [from Pickford] to deny Nketiah.
It could have gone the other way. Once we got the first goal, it settled us. That mattered.
We had big moments, Kiernan's goal was important. We managed the game well after that and contained Palace really well," he said. He also lavished praise on his midfield partnership: "They've done great, I'm really pleased.
Harrison is earning his place in the team, he's got an opportunity here, where at other clubs he might not have. He's shown lots of good things. With Hayden, sometimes boys from the Championship need time, but he's done well.
I have to give him praise for how quickly he's picked things up." Palace manager Pierre Sage admitted that his side had failed to maintain the intensity of the first half. "The first half we played as we decided but the second half we let the opponent score the second goal. When we had the ball, we didn't play with speed.
When you don't play quick, the opponent is comfortable. We didn't create much in the second half.
We have to be quicker in our play to be more assertive and take decisions quickly," he explained. He added that while Palace deserved the first‑half result, they fell short overall: "We don't deserve to win this game but we deserve to win the first half.
We miss something today. It's about us, we have to take the lesson and be better for the next game." Overall, Everton's opening victory sets a positive tone for their campaign, showcasing a blend of youthful exuberance and tactical discipline. Palace, meanwhile, will need to address their finishing inefficiencies and find a way to translate possession into goals if they hope to climb the table as the season progresses.