Everton leads Crystal Palace after Dewsbury-Hall stunner opens Premier League season

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall picked about the most dramatic way possible to open Everton’s 2026-27 Premier League season, curling in a goal from a tight angle in the 42nd minute to give his side a 1-0 lead over Crystal Palace at halftime. The strike came at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 22, the curtain-raiser for a new English top-flight campaign.

Harrison Armstrong provided the assist, finding Dewsbury-Hall in a position that looked more hopeful than threatening.

Crystal Palace’s woodwork woes

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace side didn’t exactly roll over in the first 45 minutes. The visitors created a handful of genuine opportunities and managed to hit the post not once but twice before the break.

Dewsbury-Hall’s evolution at Everton

The 27-year-old joined from Chelsea on August 6, 2025, in a deal reportedly worth around £29 million, and he’s steadily established himself as one of the more important players in David Moyes’ squad. His time at Chelsea never quite clicked the way either party hoped. Moving to the Hill Dickinson Stadium offered a fresh start.

Born on September 6, 1998, the midfielder is entering his prime years.

What both clubs are chasing this season

Everton’s aspirations heading into 2026-27 center on European football. After finishing in the middle of the pack last season, the club sees its new stadium era as a chance to reset expectations upward.

Crystal Palace earned a 2-2 draw against Everton in their last encounter in May 2026, adding context to the competitive nature of their rivalry. Hitting the woodwork twice and still trailing at halftime is the sort of experience that can either galvanize a team or deflate it.

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