Harrison Armstrong produced three moments of class to inspire Everton to a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The teenager stole the ball from Daniel Munoz to set up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for the opening goal, and his overall display provided the experience Everton lacked in midfield. With Christian Norgaard injured, James Garner only fit enough for the bench and Hayden Hackney yet to play a Premier League minute, the youngest player on the pitch stepped up.
Armstrong's key moments
In the second half, Armstrong dropped his shoulder to evade Daichi Kamada under pressure, opening up the pitch for an Everton attack. Earlier, he emerged from behind Kamada and forced the Japan international to turn towards his own goal and pass back to Dean Henderson.
The first goal came from Armstrong stealing the ball from Munoz and sliding it to Dewsbury-Hall, who produced a lethal finish. As the rest of the stadium appealed for a penalty, Armstrong remained attentive enough to seize the occasion.
Everton's control after the break
Thierno Barry doubled the lead just after the break, heading in a menacing Iliman Ndiaye cross. That allowed Everton to seize control and see out the match in relative comfort. Armstrong lasted the full match, with David Moyes choosing not to share his minutes around the squad.
Jarrad Branthwaite went down on several occasions but survived the full match. Tyrique George was given a rapturous applause after a display of real promise, causing potential Everton target Munoz no shortage of problems.
Pickford and Dewsbury-Hall shine
Jordan Pickford made an extraordinary stop to deny Eddie Nketiah, pushing the effort onto the post. The same post came to Everton's rescue when a Nketiah cross was met by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
George started the move that ended with Everton's best chance of the early exchanges, with Merlin Rohl pulling the ball back to Ndiaye, who shot too close to Henderson. The offside flag spared Palace twice before Dewsbury-Hall sparked into life in the final minutes of the half.
First, he slid Barry into a promising position, only for the forward to lose control. He then had a shot blocked by what looked like the arm of Chadi Riad. But Armstrong stole the ball from Munoz and fed Dewsbury-Hall, whose venomous finish swerved violently to beat Henderson from a tight angle.
Everton controlled the game from that point to claim an important and deserved three points. A new right back, sorely needed, is still yet to arrive, with work to be done in the final 10 days of the transfer window.
