Everton kicked off their Premier League season with a 2-0 home victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, a result that sees them start the new campaign in fourth place. Thierno Barry scored his first goal of the season, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added another in a morale-boosting win witnessed by Prime Minister and season-ticket holder Andy Burnham, as reported by ESPN.
The Toffees' clean sheet and two goals scored mean they currently hold a +2 goal difference, sitting on three points from their opening fixture. Their next test is a trip to face Bournemouth, who are 14th, on August 29. Barry is the club's early top scorer with one goal from one appearance, a welcome sign for a side that struggled for goals last term.
How did Everton beat Crystal Palace?
David Moyes's side secured a comfortable 2-0 win, according to ESPN's match analysis. The breakthrough came late in the first half when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall lashed a left-footed finish across Dean Henderson after a mistake by Palace's Daniel Muñoz. Everton doubled their lead eight minutes after the restart, with Thierno Barry heading in from close range following a quickly-taken free-kick by debutant Hayden Hackney and a whipped cross from Iliman Ndiaye.
The result was built on a solid defensive performance, with Jordan Pickford making key saves to deny Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta hitting the post. New signing Hackney looked composed in a holding midfield role, while Merlin Röhl filled in at right-back. The win ended a run of seven winless games to finish last season, which had cost the club a chance at European football.
What did the Prime Minister's visit mean?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham attended the match at Goodison Park, his first visit since taking office. The AP News report confirmed Burnham, a long-time Everton supporter and season ticket-holder, was in the stadium to watch the victory. Manager David Moyes stated he spoke to the Prime Minister on the phone after the final whistle.
Burnham's presence added a notable backdrop to the season opener, a positive start for a club looking to build momentum. The win moves Everton up to fourth in the early standings, a position they will aim to consolidate in the coming weeks.
How did other Premier League rivals fare?
The opening weekend provided a stark contrast for some of Everton's rivals, as detailed by AP News. Manchester United, with a new-look midfield, suffered a 2-0 loss at promoted Hull City. Tottenham Hotspur, one of Europe's biggest summer spenders, were overwhelmed in a 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
These results elsewhere highlight the unpredictable nature of the early season and the value of Everton securing three points from their first match. While other clubs with lofty ambitions stumbled, Everton's efficient performance against Palace provided a solid foundation. You can track the evolving league picture on our standings page.
What's next for Everton after this win?
Attention now turns to maintaining this positive start. The immediate focus is the away fixture against Bournemouth on August 29. Building on a clean sheet and a goal for striker Thierno Barry will be key objectives for David Moyes.
The manager will also hope for more from his attacking players as the season progresses, with Barry's early goal a promising sign. The club's current squad details and upcoming fixtures are available for fans to follow as Everton looks to build on their winning start.
