David Moyes praised Everton’s game management and the impact of his younger players after the Toffees opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry secured all three points at the Hill Dickinson, although Moyes acknowledged that Palace could easily have taken the lead during an open first half.
Here are the key comments from the Everton manager after the game.
On Everton’s performance…
Moyes admitted the scoreline did not tell the full story, with Palace twice hitting the woodwork before Everton took control.
“We could easily have been a couple of goals down – it was a worldie save and it could have gone the other way.”
The manager felt Dewsbury-Hall’s opener changed the complexion of the contest, with Everton becoming increasingly comfortable after Barry made it 2-0.
“Once we got the first goal, it settled us. That mattered.”
Moyes added that Everton then “managed the game well” and contained Palace effectively after establishing their advantage.
On Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall…
Dewsbury-Hall carried his attacking contribution from last season into the new campaign with Everton’s opening goal.
Moyes felt the midfielder grew into the contest and highlighted the quality of his finish, while also suggesting there remained room for improvement in some of Everton’s attacking transitions.
The Scot noted that Dewsbury-Hall scored eight times last season and described Saturday’s goal as a good start to the new campaign.
On Thierno Barry…
Barry headed Everton’s second goal and Moyes believes the striker has begun the season with something to prove after an inconsistent first Premier League campaign.
The Everton manager stressed that strikers ultimately have to be measured by their goals.
“Strikers will be judged on their goals so he can walk away and be really happy with it.”
Barry scored eight times last season but took until December to open his account. An opening-day goal therefore represents a considerably quicker start this time around.
On Harrison Armstrong…
Moyes was particularly pleased with 19-year-old Harrison Armstrong, who was handed another opportunity in midfield.
“Harrison is earning his place in the team.”
Moyes said the academy graduate had been given an opportunity that he might not have received elsewhere and had continued to show encouraging signs.
He later pointed out that injuries had helped open the door for Armstrong but stressed that the youngster was taking his opportunity well.
On Hayden Hackney…
Summer signing Hayden Hackney also earned praise following his first Premier League appearance for Everton.
Moyes acknowledged that players arriving from the Championship can sometimes require a settling-in period but believes Hackney has adapted quickly.
“I have to give him praise for how quickly he’s picked things up.”
The midfielder played an important role in Everton’s second goal and offered further evidence that he can become a significant part of Moyes’s midfield this season.
On Tyrique George…
Tyrique George was another of Everton’s younger players to make an impression.
The 20-year-old started on the left and regularly looked to attack Palace’s defence.
“Tyrique George looked a threat from the start.”
Moyes wants to see the youngster provide more deliveries from wide areas but was encouraged by the danger he carried on his Premier League debut for Everton.
On the Hill Dickinson…
Moyes has made improving Everton’s home record one of his priorities this season.
The Toffees had not won their opening Premier League fixture since beating Southampton in August 2021, making Saturday’s victory a useful first step.
Moyes said Everton’s away points total last season had been strong enough to leave them in a healthy position, but added that greater consistency at Hill Dickinson will be important if they are to improve on last term.
The result ended Everton’s seven-match winless run from the end of last season and gives Moyes an encouraging platform ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Preston North End and next weekend’s Premier League visit to Bournemouth.
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