Everton beat Crystal Palace 2–0 to win their first Premier League opening match in five years.
The match was played at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 22 August 2026. Everton’s victory ended a run in which they had failed to win their first league game of the season for four consecutive years.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put Everton ahead, and Thierno Barry scored the second goal after half-time. The result was Everton’s first victory in eight top-flight matches, making the opening-day success especially welcome.
The game was also one of the earliest competitive matches at Everton’s new stadium, adding extra significance for the home supporters. Crystal Palace were beginning a new era under manager Pierre Sage, but the visitors left without a goal.
The scoreline can be confused with Everton’s later opening-weekend facts because several matches ended in two-goal home wins. In this fixture, however, the relevant pairing is Everton and Crystal Palace, with Everton scoring twice and keeping a clean sheet.