Moyes' men make a winning start as new-look Palace pay for wastefulness

New Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage failed to make a winning start in the Premier League as his side were beaten 2-0 at Everton on the opening day of the season. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry were on target at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the hosts punishing a visiting side that dominated the chances but lacked the finishing to match.

Dewsbury-Hall breaks the deadlock

Saturday's game started in wide-open fashion, though it was Palace who carved out the first two opportunities. Jean-Philippe Mateta flicked Eddie Nketiah's centre over, and Daniel Munoz saw a left-footed piledriver pushed away by Jordan Pickford.

Everton's first big chance saw Iliman Ndiaye work Dean Henderson, but the Toffees were fortunate not to fall behind when Pickford brilliantly tipped Nketiah's shot onto his left-hand post following some incisive work from Adam Wharton. The hosts had another escape when Mateta side-footed against the same post in the 38th minute — and they took full advantage only four minutes later, with Dewsbury-Hall rifling across goal and into the top-right corner after some excellent out-of-possession work from Harrison Armstrong, who dispossessed Munoz high up the field.

Barry seals it after Ndiaye magic

Everton's second goal came eight minutes into the second period as Barry nodded home after being picked out by the outstanding Ndiaye, whose pinpoint cross gave his striker a simple headed finish. Ndiaye could have put the result beyond all doubt soon afterwards, when his volley skipped off the turf and was touched over by Henderson.

The closest Palace came to a consolation was when substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen headed straight at Pickford in stoppage time. A disappointing start to their season was compounded by Chadi Riad being carried off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Moyes halts the slide, Palace's unwanted record

A miserable end to 2025-26 had dashed Everton's hopes of European qualification and led some supporters to question David Moyes this summer, as the Toffees failed to win any of their final seven Premier League games (D3 L4). Everton had never gone eight league games without a victory under Moyes across both of his spells on Merseyside — and that record remains intact after an enjoyable 90 minutes for the home crowd.

Palace might count themselves unfortunate to start Sage's reign empty-handed, given they won the expected goals (xG) battle by 2.04 to 1.16, with Nketiah and Mateta made to pay for big misses. Palace have now had 16 managers lead the club in the Premier League (including caretakers), but only two have won their opening game: Alan Pardew against Tottenham in January 2015 (2-1) and Oliver Glasner against Burnley in February 2024 (3-0).

Everton's all-English midfield trio of Dewsbury-Hall, Armstrong and Hayden Hackney set the tone by working hard out of possession. Armstrong's assist for the opener — his first goal involvement in the Premier League — came on his 17th appearance in the competition (seven starts). Barry's clinching goal was his ninth in the Premier League, and six of those have now come at home.

Barry will hope to take that form on the road ahead of a matchday-two trip to Bournemouth, while Palace host Manchester City on Friday.