Everton won its first Premier League opening match in five years by beating Crystal Palace in 2026–27.
Everton defeated Crystal Palace 2–0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday 22 August 2026. The victory was Everton’s first win in a season-opening Premier League fixture for five years and ended an eight-match wait for a top-flight victory.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored before half-time, and Thierno Barry added the second goal after the interval. The clean sheet gave Everton a confident start, while 19-year-old midfielder Harrison Armstrong was singled out for an impressive performance.
The match was also the first competitive Premier League game for new Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage. Palace suffered a difficult afternoon, including an injury to defender Chadi Riad. Everton’s venue, Hill Dickinson Stadium, was another talking point because it had become the club’s new home.