Everton kicked off the new Premier League season with a convincing 2‑0 triumph over Crystal Palace, a win secured by elegant strikes from Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall and Thierno Barry. Under the fresh guidance of French manager Pierre Sage, Palace struggled to capitalize on their chances, while David Moyes’s Everton side executed a disciplined, attacking display that delivered their first opening‑weekend victory in five years. The performance highlighted a squad that appears to be maturing under Moyes’s seasoned leadership. The manager showed confidence in youth by deploying 19‑year‑old Harrison Armstrong in midfield alongside recent acquisition Hayden Hackney.
Both youngsters played pivotal roles: Armstrong helped set up the opening goal, and Hackny supplied the precise delivery for Barry’s second‑half header. The first half unfolded with Everton pressing high and forcing errors. A determined tackle by Armstrong resulted in a turnover that allowed Dewsbury‑Hall to sprint past defender Chris Richards and unleash a low, curling effort into the far corner just before the interval. The goal not only broke the deadlock but also seemed to lift the Everton players, who grew more assured as the half progressed.
After the break, Everton continued to exploit Palace’s defensive frailties. Hackney, taking a free‑kick, quickly identified Iliman Ndiaye’s run and slipped a perfectly weighted ball into his path. Ndiaye, displaying composure, sent a sharp, low cross into the box where Barry rose above the defenders and headed the ball past goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The second goal cemented Everton’s control and underscored their effectiveness on the counter‑attack. Tim Sherwood, analysing the match on Soccer Saturday, praised the professionalism of Everton’s display, noting the impressive contributions of Armstrong and Hackney.
"Everton did a professional job. Armstrong and Hackney were very good," he said, emphasizing the importance of the young duo’s development.
Palace, on the other hand, faded dramatically after a promising start. Their inability to finish chances persisted from last season, with Jean‑Philippe Mateta squandering a clear opportunity when the score was still level. Eddie Nketiah also missed a golden chance, his effort saved brilliantly by Jordan Pickford before the ball rattled the woodwork. Palace’s expected‑goals metric of 2.04 was the highest they have recorded in a Premier League match without scoring since December 2018, illustrating the frustration of a side that created but could not convert.
Key moments of the match included: - 17 minutes: Pickford produced a world‑class save, denying Nketiah and forcing the striker’s shot onto the post. - 38 minutes: Nketiah delivered a low, teasing cross to Mateta, who could only glance the ball against the foot of the post.
- 43 minutes: Dewsbury‑Hall struck a sublime goal from a tight angle, beating Dean Henderson. - 53 minutes: Barry rose highest to meet Ndiaye’s clever cross, heading the ball past Henderson for the second goal. - 68 minutes: Palace’s Chadi Riad was stretchered off after suffering a concerning knee injury. Moyes reflected on the ebb and flow of the game, acknowledging that Everton could have found themselves trailing if not for the early goal.
"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 explained.
He also singled out his midfield pair, saying, "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 his side struggled 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. We don't deserve to win this game but we deserved to win the first half.
We missed something today. It's about us, we have to take the lesson and be better for the next game," he said. Sherwood summed up the overall narrative, noting that while Palace possesses an attractive style, they sometimes lack the tactical discipline to protect against a well‑organized counter‑attack. "I don't think there's any danger of Palace getting relegated or dragged into that sort of argument.
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. Everton counter‑attacked; they've got quality and pace on the counter and they've punished them.
There's been some fantastic football played by Palace but they're on the wrong end of the result," he concluded. The match also featured a few ancillary moments: a potential injury scare for Chadi Riad, and a series of near‑misses that kept the spectators on edge.
For Everton supporters, the win not only adds three points but also signals a positive direction for a side that has been rebuilding under Moyes. For Palace, the defeat serves as a reminder that creating chances must be matched with clinical finishing if they hope to climb the table. Overall, the game offered a blend of youthful exuberance, tactical nuance, and moments of individual brilliance, setting the tone for what promises to be an intriguing season for both clubs.