EPL: Everton Beat Palace In Hill Dickinson Opener

Everton made a perfect start to the 2026/27 Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium, ending a run of four straight opening-day defeats.

Palace boss Pierre Sage was chasing history, looking to become just the third Eagles manager to win his first PL game. He almost had the perfect start when Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a golden chance from close range inside three minutes.

Palace were quick to build on that early miss. Nketiah came close next, but his low shot was tipped onto the post by Jordan Pickford. At the other end, Dean Henderson kept Everton out with a strong save to deny Iliman Ndiaye.  

Both teams kept looking for the breakthrough as the half wore on. Mateta had another big chance for Palace but struck the post with only Pickford to beat.

Palace paid for that miss. Everton took the lead just before half-time as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall latched onto Harrison Armstrong’s pass and curled a brilliant left-footed shot past Dean Henderson into the far corner.

With a strong record against Palace just one defeat in their last 23 PL meetings, Everton started the second half on the front foot and doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.

Ndiaye was the creator, delivering a sublime cross for Thierno Barry to nod home from close range inside the six-yard box.

2-0 up, Moyes’ side kept pushing. Ndiaye went close again with a volley that Henderson saved, before Tyrique George dragged a shot wide across goal.

Tale Of Two Halves

Palace tried to mount a late comeback, but Pickford was equal to Strand Larsen’s header to keep them out. The clean sheet also meant Moyes avoided going eight league games without a win as Everton boss for the first time.