Former Everton defender Michael Ball discusses his takeaways from the season-opening win over Crystal Palace
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (right) celebrates after the tenacity of Harrison Armstrong (left) led to Everton's opening goal on Saturday
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (right) celebrates after the tenacity of Harrison Armstrong (left) led to Everton's opening goal on Saturday
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s goal was unbelievable and it settled Everton down against Crystal Palace.
But as good as the finish was, that moment was also down to what took place in the build-up, when Harrison Armstrong won the ball from Daniel Munoz.
I loved seeing that intervention from the teenager - as everyone else was reacting to the shouts for a penalty he took responsibility, he was proactive, he forced the issue and it paid off.
It was such an important moment in the game and after a difficult start, it changed the mood Everton conceded chances in that first 40 minutes but after Armstrong and Dewsbury-Hall combined, they seized control.
That is what I want to see more of from Everton, particularly at home. The home form has been an issue for some time, whether at Goodison Park or Hill Dickinson Stadium, and I think a large part of that has been the lack of early intensity on the pitch.
We saw examples of that again on Saturday, when Everton initially allowed Crystal Palace too much freedom to dictate play and set the tempo. Adam Wharton is a lovely player and he had too much joy at the start, including when he picked out Eddie Nketiah for one of the visitors’ three big chances. Fortunately, we have England’s No.1 in goal and it was a fantastic save from Jordan Pickford.
I was worried when Palace had those early chances. I had gone to the match with butterflies, twisting between the optimism and worry that different friends approached me with in the build-up.
After Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the post with his second big chance of the game, I thought: 'Oh no'. I thought is it going to be another of ‘those’ seasons, had we learned nothing from last year?
I want Hill Dickinson to be toxic for opposition teams, I don’t want away sides to be able to come to the banks of the Mersey and control games.
So when Armstrong punished Munoz, I was so pleased to see Dewsbury-Hall take advantage - and pleased that, from then on, Everton found the confidence to play with more authority.
Once Everton took the lead, they were the better side and they hassled Palace in a way that pleased me. I thought Hayden Hackney was particularly good.
The second goal was a welcome boost and another example of what I want to see more of from Everton. As part of the work to get on the front foot, I want to see Everton’s wide players hit the byline more.
We have seen inverted wingers become the fashion but, as a full-back, that was what I loved to see. I was happy if a winger wanted to cut inside and send floaty crosses into the box - it was easier for me to deal with and easier for my centre backs to defend when the ball did get sent in.
It was more challenging when wingers sought to hit the byline and send outswinging balls that defenders had to deal with on the back foot or facing their own goal.
That is what Iliman Ndiaye did for the second goal and Everton reaped the benefit - Thierno Barry’s header felt like old school Everton.