Everton opened the 2026/27 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and if the scoreline looks comfortable, the ninety minutes that produced it were anything but. Palace had the ball. Palace had the better of the first half hour. Palace had two clear sights of goal that would have changed the entire afternoon. What Palace did not have was a goalkeeper capable of the save Jordan Pickford produced.
New season. Same Jordan Pickford. 🧨
Another elite save from our No.1! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/6cxA6c5nax
— Everton (@Everton) August 23, 2026
Palace, under new manager Pierre Sage, started the brighter and should have led inside three minutes when Eddie Nketiah’s cross found Jean-Philippe Mateta, who, unmarked and six yards out, failed to hit the target.
On 17 minutes, Adam Wharton lofted an exquisite ball over Rohl and into Nketiah’s stride. The finish was clean, low and heading in. Pickford threw himself across and turned it onto the post. Wharton found the gap again shortly after, releasing Mateta with only Pickford to bear, and this time the Frenchman struck the upright himself.
Two chances. Two escapes. Everton fans have watched this club concede both of those on countless afternoons over the last decade, and there is something quietly encouraging about a season starting the other way round for once. This was the first win on the opening day for Everton in 5 seasons.
Between the two Palace chances, Everton had their own claim waved away – Branthwaite went down under Jaydee Canvot’s challenge. VAR took an age and confirmed offside.
The breakthrough arrived three minutes before the interval and it was worth the wait. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall picked the ball up on the edge and struck it with real conviction into the top corner. No deflection, no fortune, no goalkeeping error – just a midfielder deciding the game needed a goal and providing one.
Eight minutes after the restart, the second. Hayden Hackney intelligently released a quick free kick to Iliman Ndiaye, worked space on the right and delivered a cross that begged to be attacked. Barry attacked it, and headed past Dean Henderson.
The significance of that goal is not lost on anyone. Barry did not score for Everton until December last season. The striker getting off the mark on day one matters enormously. Confidence is not a tactic, but it is a resource and Barry now has some.
Ndiaye nearly added a third when Henderson pushed away a half-volley, and Palace’s best late chance – a Jorgen Strand Larsen header from six yards in stoppage time – was denied.
Bournemouth away next Saturday. COYB.