Everton beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in their Premier League opener

Everton began the Premier League season with a 2-0 home victory over Crystal Palace on 22 August. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, and Thierno Barry added the second goal eight minutes after halftime.

Crystal Palace had the ball near Everton’s goal but could not score. Everton protected the centre of the penalty area and completed the match without conceding.

Dewsbury-Hall scored before halftime

The score remained level until the closing minutes of the first half. Everton passed the ball through midfield and used both sides of the pitch. Dewsbury-Hall could therefore move into the penalty area instead of receiving the ball with his back to goal. His finish in the 42nd minute gave Everton a lead before the break. The timing mattered because Crystal Palace had little opportunity to respond before the teams returned to the dressing rooms.

A late first-half goal can tempt a team to defend too early. Everton avoided that reaction and began the second period looking for another clear attack.

Barry scored Everton’s second goal after the break

Barry scored in the 53rd minute. Crystal Palace then needed two goals to earn a point. Palace moved more players forward and left wider spaces behind the midfield. Everton could then choose when to press and when to remain compact. The hosts did not need to chase a third goal with the same urgency. They could protect the area in front of their central defenders and wait for counterattacks.

Barry’s goal followed a strong start to the second half. Everton remained focused after the break and continued to attack.

Everton defended the penalty area well

Crystal Palace changed its attacking players during the second half. The new players attacked from both sides. Everton kept its defenders and midfielders close together. Everton had enough defenders in the centre to clear crosses. The full-backs also received support, so Palace could not attack one defender alone.

After an Everton defender cleared a cross, another Everton player reached the ball first. This prevented Crystal Palace from starting another attack immediately.

Everton’s substitutes helped protect the lead

Everton used substitutes to add fresh energy without changing the team’s formation. James Garner and Charly Alcaraz entered during the closing minutes, while Barry left after scoring the second goal. Palace also changed its forwards, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah among the players who left the pitch. The new attackers could not reduce Everton’s two-goal lead.

Substitutions work best when every player understands the current task. Everton’s substitutes joined a team that already knew which areas needed protection.

Everton started the season with a strong result

One victory does not define a league season, but it removes immediate pressure. Everton collected three points, scored in both halves and avoided conceding during the first competitive match. Crystal Palace must improve its passes near goal. The team had possession but created too few clear chances. Crystal Palace also failed to stop Barry from scoring the second goal after halftime.

Everton won 2-0 through goals from Dewsbury-Hall and Barry. The team attacked at the right moments and defended carefully until the final whistle.

Everton remained in control until the final whistle

Palace needed a quick response after the second goal, but Everton kept its defenders and midfielders close together. Pickford collected long passes into the penalty area. Everton’s midfield also intercepted inaccurate Palace passes. This stopped the visitors from creating steady pressure.

Finishing the match without conceding was as useful as the two goals. Everton showed that a young midfield group can play with energy without leaving the centre open. The next matches will provide a harder test, but the opening performance gave Moyes a clear base for his work.