Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace: Dewsbury-Hall and Barry Strike in Opening Victory

Match Overview

Everton commenced their 2026 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon. A first-half strike from midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and a second-half finish by forward Thierno Barry earned all three points for the hosts in Round 1. Despite Crystal Palace controlling 57 percent of possession and registering 10 total shot attempts, Everton demonstrated superior finishing efficiency and defensive resilience to record a clean sheet in front of their home supporters.

First Half: Dewsbury-Hall Opens the Scoring

Crystal Palace started the contest with sustained sequences of midfield possession, looking to create overloads on the flanks through their wing-backs. Everton remained compact in their defensive shape, absorbing early pressure while seeking opportunities to counter-attack directly. In the 30th minute, Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada committed a late challenge in the midfield circle, resulting in the match's first yellow card from the referee.

Everton began finding regular rhythm in the attacking third as the half progressed, winning successive set pieces. The opening goal arrived in the 42nd minute following a swift transition. Midfielder Harrison Armstrong recovered a loose ball twenty-five yards from goal and delivered an incisive pass to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Dewsbury-Hall created separation from his marker inside the penalty box and placed a low strike past the Palace goalkeeper into the bottom corner. The hosts took a 1-0 lead into the half-time interval having registered six shots and two corner kicks.

Second Half: Barry Doubles Advantage and Shuts Down Comeback

Everton maintained their aggressive front-foot pressing following the restart and doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute. Winger Iliman Ndiaye advanced down the wing and delivered an accurate cross into the six-yard area, where forward Thierno Barry timed his run to divert the ball into the net for Everton's second goal of the match.

Faced with a two-goal deficit, Crystal Palace made an immediate double substitution in the 55th minute, bringing on Yeremy Pino for Eddie Nketiah and Anan Khalaili for Daniel Munoz. Palace introduced further attacking reinforcements in the 63rd minute as Jorgen Larsen replaced Jean-Philippe Mateta and Evann Guessand came on for Dwight McNeil. In the 72nd minute, defender Takehiro Tomiyasu replaced Chadi Riad to reshape Palace's backline.

Everton managed game tempo effectively during the closing twenty minutes with strategic tactical substitutions. In the 79th minute, Beto replaced goalscorer Thierno Barry to lead the frontline, while James Garner entered for Hayden Hackney in central midfield. Brennan Johnson replaced Tyrique George in the 84th minute, and Carlos Alcaraz came on for Dewsbury-Hall in stoppage time (94'). Everton's backline held firm to deny Palace any clear openings before full-time.

Statistical Breakdown

Everton finished the match with 15 total shots, generating 4 shots on target, an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.13, and an expected goals on target (xGOT) value of 1.82. Crystal Palace registered 10 shots with 4 on target, recording an xG of 1.95 and an xGOT of 0.91, but missed four big chances and struck the woodwork twice during the ninety minutes. Everton completed 335 of 409 passes (82 percent) and won 50 total duels, compared to Palace's 480 completed passes from 555 attempts (86 percent). Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made 4 crucial saves, preventing 0.91 expected goals to preserve the clean sheet.

League Standings Impact

With the 2-0 victory, Everton earn 3 points and a +2 goal difference, moving into the upper tier of the Premier League standings following the completion of Round 1. Crystal Palace conclude Matchday 1 with 0 points and a -2 goal difference.