Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace – Premier League Match Report and Player Ratings

Toffees Starting Strong with Routine Win Against Palace

Everton made the perfect start to the new Premier League campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry sealed the club's first opening-day victory since 2021.

Goals either side of half-time from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry sealed the deal over the Eagles, ensuring David Moyes' men began the campaign with all three points.

The visitors had plenty of opportunities and arguably should have scored on more than one occasion, leaving Palace to rue their wastefulness as Pierre Sage's tenure got off to a disappointing start.

A refreshed line-up from David Moyes’ men included debuts for new signings Hayden Hackney in midfield and Tyrique George out on the left-wing.

After much speculation throughout the summer transfer window, Merlin Röhl was selected at right-back as Everton still await a fresh recruit in that area, an issue Moyes had been repeatedly pressed on in the build-up to the game.

First Half

Jordan Pickford played his first competitive game since England’s 2-1 loss to Argentina last month, and questions about his match fitness were quickly wiped away within the first 15 minutes as his heroics prevented Everton from going behind.

An expertly crafted lob pass from Adam Wharton was met by Eddie Nketiah well inside the Blues’ box, but his shot that seemed goal-bound was tipped onto the post by the England number one, prompting a big cheer from the crowd.

It was Palace’s best chance of the match, yet they hit the upright soon after through Jean-Philippe Mateta, as Everton appeared to be riding out their luck.

The home side had a quiet first half in terms of chances, with their best one in the early stages coming from Iliman Ndiaye, who received the ball from Röhl down the right-hand side, but the shot was easily blocked by Dean Henderson.

There was no stopping Dewsbury-Hall in the 42nd minute, however, as a great pass from Harrison Armstrong found the midfielder just inside the box before his thunderous effort lashed into the top-right corner.

It was Dewsbury-Hall’s ninth goal for the club, after an impressive first campaign for the Toffees and the perfect start to his second season.

Half-time score - Everton 1-0 Crystal Palace 0

Everton came flying out of the blocks after the restart, with Tyrique George and Hayden Hackney both seeing efforts blocked before Dewsbury-Hall fired over from distance.

The Toffees did not have to wait long for their second, however. Seven minutes after the break, Ndiaye won a free-kick down the right-hand side before swinging a brilliant cross towards Thierno Barry, who rose above Chris Richards to head beyond Dean Henderson from close range.

It was the perfect start to the second half for Everton and Barry, who had to wait considerably longer to get off the mark during his first campaign on Merseyside.

🕺🕺🕺🕺 pic.twitter.com/JG2XumAP1w

— Everton (@Everton) August 22, 2026

Everton nearly had a third just minutes later. This time Barry turned provider, finding Ndiaye inside the box before the Senegal international forced Henderson into a save.

Pierre Sage responded with a flurry of substitutions as Palace attempted to find a route back into the game, but Everton appeared far more comfortable protecting their two-goal cushion than they had looked during Palace's early pressure.

George remained lively down the left and had two opportunities in quick succession midway through the half, first seeing an effort blocked before firing another over the crossbar.

There was a lengthy stoppage when Palace defender Chadi Riad went down injured and eventually had to leave the pitch on a stretcher, bringing a premature end to his afternoon.

David Moyes subsequently turned to his bench, introducing Beto and James Garner for Barry and Hackney before Brennan Johnson replaced George.

Palace continued searching for a consolation, but the damage had already been done. Pickford was called upon once more in stoppage time to deny substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen, preserving his clean sheet and completing a professional second-half display from the Toffees.

After riding their luck before the break, Everton had made Palace pay for their wastefulness and, more importantly, started the new Premier League season with three points.

Man of the Match - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Some player. 😮‍💨

You voted KDH today's Player of the Match! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/c7wQOLlWkj

— Everton (@Everton) August 22, 2026

The match-winner was at the heart of everything good about Everton going forward and continued exactly where he left off last season.

His thunderous opener completely changed the complexion of a game that Palace had arguably controlled up to that point, but there was far more to his performance than the goal. Dewsbury-Hall constantly looked to make things happen in the final third and linked up brilliantly with those around him.

After an impressive debut campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, this was the perfect way to begin his second. If this is a sign of things to come, Everton have some player on their hands.

Bad Day at the Office

Nobody

+3. ✊ pic.twitter.com/vqNV6IHBnv

— Everton (@Everton) August 22, 2026

It feels slightly harsh to single anyone out after an opening-day performance like that.

Everton certainly weren't perfect, particularly during a nervy opening period in which Palace could easily have taken the lead, but there were no glaringly poor individual performances from those in blue.

Even those who had quieter afternoons played their part in a professional team display, while several players produced performances worthy of considerably more praise.

There will undoubtedly be days this season when this section practically writes itself. Thankfully for David Moyes, the opening day wasn't one of them.

Player Ratings

• Jordan Pickford – 8/10: Any fears of post-World Cup rust lasted about 15 minutes. Produced a ridiculous fingertip save to deny Nketiah and remind everyone that, yes, he's still quite good at this goalkeeper thing.

• Merlin Röhl – 7/10: Another week, another game of pretending Röhl is a right-back. To his credit, he continues to make a pretty convincing case for it and barely put a foot wrong.

• James Tarkowski – 7/10: Nothing particularly glamorous, but that's hardly what you employ James Tarkowski for. Won his battles, helped keep the clean sheet and probably enjoyed every second of it.

• Jarrad Branthwaite – 8/10: Back doing Jarrad Branthwaite things. Calm, commanding and seemingly allergic to looking flustered. Palace's afternoon became considerably less enjoyable once Everton settled down.

• Vitalii Mykolenko – 8/10: One of those Mykolenko performances where you barely notice him because he's quietly dealt with everything thrown his way. Sometimes boring is beautiful.

• Hayden Hackney – 8/10: First Premier League game for Everton? You wouldn't have guessed it. Looked completely at home in midfield and his quick thinking helped create Barry's goal. Not a bad way to introduce yourself.

Premier League debut. ✅🤩

How impressed have you been with Hackney so far, Toffees? pic.twitter.com/7qXj5rBZeH

— Everton (@Everton) August 23, 2026

• Harrison Armstrong – 9/10: If Everton's plan was to spend all summer wondering whether Armstrong was ready and then discover they'd already got a brilliant midfielder sitting in front of them, mission accomplished. Superb throughout and grabbed an assist for good measure.

• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 9/10: New season, same KDH. Took one look at a game Palace probably should have been winning and decided to leather the ball into the top corner instead. Everton's best player and deservedly Man of the Match.

• Iliman Ndiaye – 9/10: Palace spent much of the afternoon discovering what Evertonians already know: giving Ndiaye space is generally a terrible idea. Looked sharp and dangerous throughout before putting Barry's second on a plate.

• Thierno Barry – 7/10: He had to wait an eternity for his first Everton goal last season. This time he's got the pesky thing out of the way on day one. Rose above Chris Richards to nod home Everton's second and will be hoping it's the first of many this campaign.

• Tyrique George – 7/10: Didn't set the stadium alight on debut, but there were enough flashes to leave Evertonians wanting to see more. A tidy first afternoon in (permanent) blue with plenty still to come.

Substitutes

• Beto – 6/10: Came on when Everton had largely shut up shop, which isn't exactly Disneyland for a striker desperate to get involved. Worked hard without having much opportunity to cause chaos.

• James Garner – 7/10: Sent on to help close things down and duly did so. No fireworks, no drama, no complaints. Moyes will take afternoons like that from a substitute every single week.

• Brennan Johnson – 6/10: Limited time to make much of an impact after coming on, with Everton already more interested in seeing the game out than adding to the scoreline. A quiet afternoon, but no complaints when you're walking away with three points.

• Charly Alcaraz – N/A: One minute on the pitch. Barely enough time to get his shirt dirty, never mind earn a rating.

What’s Next?

Everton's attention now turns to the Carabao Cup, where they travel to Preston North End on Wednesday looking to build further momentum before returning to Premier League action away at Bournemouth next weekend.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, face another difficult test when they welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park at 8pm on Friday night, where they will look to bounce back from their opening-day defeat.

Evertonians have waited five years for an opening-day victory. If this performance is anything to go by, they will be hoping the wait for the next three points is considerably shorter.