Everton kicked off the new Premier League season with a convincing 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, thanks to well‑crafted strikes from Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall and Thierno Barry. Under the fresh guidance of French manager Pierre Sage, Palace were unable to convert any of their chances, while David Moyes’s side took full advantage of their opponents’ wastefulness to secure their first opening‑weekend win in five years.
The win was a clear illustration of the progress Everton have made under Moyes, who has been praised for his tactical acumen and willingness to trust young talent. In this match he handed 19‑year‑old Harrison Armstrong a central midfield berth alongside recent signing Hayden Hackney.
Armstrong played a pivotal role in the build‑up to the opening goal, and Hackney delivered a superb second‑half assist, highlighting the growing confidence of the club’s emerging players. The first half was tightly contested until a moment of hustle from Armstrong forced a turnover that allowed Dewsbury‑Hall to thread a pass inside the defensive line of Chris Richards.
The midfielder took the ball in stride, cut inside and curled a low‑driven shot into the far corner just before the interval, giving Everton a deserved lead. The goal was a testament to Everton’s pressing style and their ability to capitalize on brief lapses in Palace’s defensive shape.
After the break, Everton continued to press, and a free‑kick situation saw Hackney quickly spot Iliman Ndiaye making a run down the left. Hackney’s precise delivery found the forward, who released a well‑timed cross that Barry met with a powerful header, sending the ball past Dean Henderson for a second goal. Barry’s aerial dominance and timing were evident, and the goal underscored Everton’s effectiveness on the counter‑attack, where pace and precision have become hallmarks of Moyes’s side. Tim Sherwood, speaking on Soccer Saturday, praised Everton’s professionalism, noting, “Armstrong and Hackney were very good.
The team showed composure and executed their game plan perfectly.” His comments reflected the broader sentiment that Everton’s performance was a sign of a maturing squad capable of handling the rigours of top‑flight football. Palace, on the other hand, struggled to find any rhythm after a promising start. Their inability to finish chances was reminiscent of last season’s woes. Striker Jean‑Philippe Mateta squandered a golden opportunity when the scores were level, while Eddie Nketiah, who had earlier missed a chance, saw his follow‑up saved by a world‑class reflex from Jordan Pickford.
Nketiah’s effort, a curling strike that rattled the woodwork, demonstrated the thin margin between a potential equaliser and a missed chance. Statistically, Palace’s expected goals (xG) of 2.04 marked their highest xG in a Premier League match without finding the net since December 2018, highlighting the frustration of a side that created but could not convert. Their lack of clinical finishing proved costly, especially against an Everton side that made the most of their limited chances.
Sherwood also commented on Palace’s style, stating, “They play an attractive brand of football but sometimes you have to decide when to sit back. They left themselves exposed to Everton’s quick counter‑attacks, and that’s where the damage was done.” He added that despite the loss, Palace had displayed moments of quality, but ultimately fell on the wrong side of the result.
Key moments of the match included a spectacular save by Pickford, described by many as a contender for ‘save of the season’, when he denied Nketiah with a fingertip deflection that sent the ball onto the post. Later, Nketiah’s low cross to Mateta was met with a near‑miss that struck the foot of the post, adding to Palace’s growing list of near‑goals. The match also saw an unfortunate injury when Chadi Riad was stretchered off with a concerning knee problem, a reminder of the physical toll that Premier League fixtures can exact.
Post‑match, Moyes reflected on the game, saying, “Both teams had periods where we could have been a couple of goals down. That world‑class save from Pickford could have turned the match on its head.
Once we got the first goal, we settled and managed the game well. Kiernan’s strike was crucial, and after that we contained Palace effectively.” He also praised his midfield duo, noting, “Harrison is earning his place, and he’s shown a lot of good qualities. Hayden, coming from the Championship, has adapted quickly and deserves credit for his progress.” Palace manager Pierre Sage admitted his side’s shortcomings, acknowledging, “In the first half we executed our plan, but in the second half we allowed Everton to score the second goal. When we had possession we were not quick enough, and that gave them comfort.
We need to be faster and more decisive. We deserved the first‑half result, but we missed the mark overall. We’ll learn from this and improve for the next game.” Overall, the encounter served as a statement from Everton that they are ready to compete at the highest level, blending youthful exuberance with tactical discipline.
For Palace, the loss highlighted the need to sharpen their finishing and increase the tempo of their play if they hope to turn chances into points in the weeks ahead. Fans can catch the highlights for free on the Sky Sports app, and the full match remains available on Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage.