Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace. Dwight McNeil’s second-half brace secured Everton’s first Premier League win of the season, easing the pressure on manager Sean Dyche as they defeated winless Crystal Palace.
Everton had only managed one point from their first five games, and the match began ominously when Palace took the lead in the 10th minute. England defender Marc Guehi reacted quickest to a Maxence Lacroix knockdown from a corner, poking the ball into the net from close range. Set-pieces have been a recurring issue for Everton this season, and they nearly conceded again when Daniel Munoz’s header was cleared off the line by Iliman Ndiaye.
Everton, meanwhile, struggled in the first half. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and McNeil missed headed opportunities, and Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson remained largely untroubled.
However, the second half saw a dramatic turnaround. Just two minutes after the restart, McNeil unleashed a powerful long-range strike that curled beyond Henderson into the far corner, igniting the Goodison Park crowd. The momentum shifted, and Everton struck again soon after. McNeil expertly controlled a cross from substitute Jack Harrison before volleying home from a tight angle to give his side the lead.
Crystal Palace, who had been the better side in the first half, offered little threat after falling behind. Their lackluster performance leaves them with just three points from six games, and in need of significant improvement.
The first half ended with Everton trailing and the home fans jeering the team off the pitch. Although Dyche’s position was considered “safe” by the club hierarchy, frustration among supporters was palpable at halftime. Needing a change, Dyche replaced the struggling Dane Jesper Lindstrom with Jack Harrison, a switch that proved decisive. Harrison’s energy and creativity were key, assisting McNeil’s second goal and helping Everton wrest control of the game.
Jarrad Branthwaite, making his first appearance of the season after recovering from a groin injury, impressed at the heart of Everton’s defense. His solid display contributed to Everton’s continued dominance over Palace, with just one defeat in their last 20 meetings. This victory lifts Everton out of the relegation zone, offering Dyche some much-needed relief as they aim to build on this performance.
source – BBC
