Wasteful Palace punished by Everton in Sage's first game

WHAT HAPPENED
Everton opened the Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry were the scorers in the match.

The result marked Everton's first win in a season-opening Premier League fixture since five years ago.

KEY CONTEXT
This was the clubs' fixture to start the new Premier League season, and the win ended a run in which Everton had not taken maximum points from their opening top‑flight game for half a decade.

WHY IT MATTERS
Breaking a five‑year pattern of failing to win opening matches is a notable moment for Everton as they begin the domestic campaign. The two-goal margin also leaves Crystal Palace without an opening-day victory.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
How Everton follow up this positive start and whether Crystal Palace can respond in their next fixtures are the immediate questions coming out of this result.

KEY FACTS
- Everton 2, Crystal Palace 0.
- Goalscorers: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry.
- Match was the Premier League season opener.
- Everton’s first opening-game Premier League win in five years.