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Everton Secures Victory in Season Opener Against Crystal Palace
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Everton claimed a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace in their opening match of the Premier League season, marking a significant improvement from previous years. Manager David Moyes expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, “There were bits of the first half we were good, but missed the chances on transition to score. We could have easily been a couple goals down. The goalkeeper made a worldie save. It could have gone the other way.” He noted that the first goal helped settle the team, with the second goal making the game more manageable, as they effectively contained Palace afterward.
Moyes also praised the performances of young players Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George. “Harrison is 19 and he is making his way. If other people were fit, he might not be getting so many opportunities, but he is getting them and doing well,” he remarked about Armstrong. On George, he added, “Tyrique George looked a threat from the start; hopefully, he continues to do that. We want more deliveries from him as well.”
Midfielder Hayden Hackney shared his thoughts on the match, saying, “I’m delighted with the way that went. In the first half, we were a bit open, but then we managed to put our chances away.” He noted that the team had prepared for Palace’s game plan, resulting in a goal following their effective pressing strategy.
Regarding Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s goal, Hackney commented, “He does that in training a lot; that’s what he’s got—that quality in the final third. Great finish from him.” Looking ahead, Hackney expressed the team’s aspirations for the season: “Finish as high as possible, in the European spots hopefully. It’s a long season, and it will be difficult, but I think that’s the aim.”
In an interesting note, Everton triumphed in their opening Premier League game for the first time since August 2021, emphasizing their progress after losing four consecutive season openers without scoring. Furthermore, nine of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 12 Premier League goals have been scored since joining Everton at the beginning of last season, making him the top scorer for the Toffees in that timeframe, sharing the honor with teammates Beto and Thierno Barry.
Everton manager David Moyes speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “There were bits of the first half we were good, but missed the chances on transition to score. We could have easily been a couple goals down. The goalkeeper made a worldie save. It could have gone the other way.
“Once we got the first goal it settled us, and the second one made things feel a lot easier. We managed the game well after that, contained Palace.”
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On the performances of Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George: “Harrison is 19 and he is making his way. If other people were fit he might not be getting so many opportunities, but he is getting them and doing well.
“Tyrique George looked a threat from the start, hopefully he continues to do that, we want more deliveries from his as well.”
Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “I’m delighted with the way that went, first half we were a bit open but then we managed to put our chances away.
“We knew they [Palace] wanted to play out, we worked on pressing form the front and managed to get a goal from it.”
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On Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall‘s goal: “He does that in training a lot, that’s what he’s got, that quality in the final third, great finish from him.”
On Everton’s aims this season: “Finish as high a possible, in the European spots hopefully, it’s a long season and it will be difficult but I think that’s the aim.”
Did you know?
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Everton have won their opening Premier League game of the season for the first time since August 2021 (3-1 against Southampton), having lost their last four MD1 games without scoring before today.
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Nine of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 12 Premier League goals have come since he signed for Everton at the start of last season. Indeed, no Toffee’s player has netted more goals in the competition in that time (Beto & Thierno Barry also 9 each).
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