Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace: Dewsbury-Hall and Barry seal winning start for Moyes
Everton began their 2026/27 Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium, a result that brought relief to manager David Moyes after a troubled run-in to the campaign. Goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry secured the points, while the match carried notable subplots — a debut defeat for new Palace head coach Pierre Sage, a potentially serious injury to defender Chadi Riad, and a first visit to the ground by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The win was not as straightforward as the scoreline suggests. Everton survived a testing opening half-hour, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford tipping an Eddie Nketiah effort onto his left-hand post and Jean-Philippe Mateta striking the same upright, as reported by multiple outlets. By rights, the Blues could have been behind before they took the lead.
The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute when teenager Harrison Armstrong stole the ball from Daniel Munoz and laid it off to Dewsbury-Hall, who fired a left-footed shot across Dean Henderson and into the net. The second goal arrived early in the second half, as Iliman Ndiaye’s lofted cross was headed in by Barry from close range.
Armstrong’s influence and debutants
Harrison Armstrong, described by the Liverpool Echo as a "prodigious talent," was at the heart of Everton’s best moments. Beyond his assist for the opening goal, the teenager also produced key defensive interventions, including a challenge on Daichi Kamada that forced the Japan international to turn back towards his own goal. The Echo highlighted three "key moments" from Armstrong, who lasted the full match and justified Moyes’ faith in him despite a lack of experience around him.
Everton were without Christian Norgaard through injury, with James Garner only fit enough for a place on the bench. Hayden Hackney made his Premier League debut in the holding midfield role, and Merlin Rohl filled the right-back position — a slot that has been a source of concern for the club, as several reports noted.
Palace’s wastefulness and Riad’s injury
Crystal Palace, the UEFA Conference League winners, created several clear chances in the first half but failed to take any. The Guardian described their display as "wasteful," noting a lack of cutting edge that was "familiar from the Oliver Glasner era." Mateta, who had scored in the Conference League final win over Rayo Vallecano, stabbed wide from close range and hit the post \u2014 a theme that continued throughout the match.
Palace’s misery was compounded late on when Chadi Riad was stretchered off in tears after suffering what the Evening Standard described as a "serious knee injury." The defender’s condition was not specified further in the reports.
New Palace manager Pierre Sage, making his Premier League debut, was also without Ismaila Sarr. The Evening Standard cited injury, while TSN reported rumours that the Senegalese forward had refused to train in order to force a move to Galatasaray.
Burnham’s visit and transfer frustrations
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a season ticket-holder at Everton, attended the match — his first visit to the ground since taking office, as reported by several outlets. His presence was noted in the context of Everton’s transfer business, as the club have yet to sign a new right-back or striker.
Moyes was reportedly "less than happy" with the club’s transfer activity, according to TSN, though the report did not give specifics. The Guardian noted that Everton capitalised on Palace’s wastefulness "without the key additions" the Prime Minister had previously commented on.
Match details
Everton’s starting line-up included Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Vitali Mykolenko, Merlin Rohl, Harrison Armstrong, Hayden Hackney, Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tyrique George, and Thierno Barry, according to ToffeeWeb’s team news. Crystal Palace fielded Dean Henderson, Daniel Munoz, Jaydee Canvot, Chadi Riad, Chris Richards, Tyrick Mitchell, Daichi Kamada, Adam Wharton, Dwight McNeil, Eddie Nketiah, and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Moyes made substitutions after the 79th minute, with Brennan Johnson making his debut for the club. James Garner also returned from injury as a substitute. The match kicked off at 10:00 AM ET and was broadcast in the United States on USA Network and Universo, as detailed in a preview from com.