Everton Open Premier League Season With 2-0 Win Over Crystal Palace

Everton began their Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry providing the goals. The result gave David Moyes's side three points after Palace failed to convert several early opportunities.

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The Guardian reported that Palace created three clear chances before Everton went ahead. Jean-Philippe Mateta volleyed over from close range after Eddie Nketiah supplied the ball from the left. Nketiah then reached an Adam Wharton pass inside the area, but Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford pushed his shot against the post.

The same upright denied Palace again when Wharton, Dwight McNeil and Nketiah combined to create another opening for Mateta. The France international stretched to meet the chance and beat Pickford, only for the ball to strike the woodwork. Everton capitalized five minutes later after growing into the match.

Harrison Armstrong won possession from Daniel Muñoz and found Dewsbury-Hall in space. The 27-year-old midfielder drove an angled shot into the far corner beyond Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson to put Everton ahead before halftime. Earlier, Dewsbury-Hall had released Merlin Röhl for a move that ended with Henderson saving from Iliman Ndiaye.

Everton doubled their advantage early in the second half. Ndiaye delivered from the right and Barry rose between Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot to head past Henderson from close range. The goal gave Everton the cushion that Palace's missed first-half chances had threatened to deny them.

Palace defender Chadi Riad later left the field on a stretcher, although the extent of any injury was not confirmed in The Guardian's report. The match was Pierre Sage's first Premier League game as Palace manager. Everton's summer signings Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Röhl all featured in a winning start, while the visitors finished without a goal despite their promising opening spell.