Dwight Stuff

Everton finally got their first win of the season; a sterling, come-from-behind effort against a plucky Crystal Palace team that are growing as the season goes on. Things didn't look good for the Toffeemen early on; as an all-too-obvious cross from Adam Wharton was headed back by Maxence Lacroix for captain Marc Guehi to steer home.

But Everton recovered and came back strong in the second half; with Dwight McNeil curling home a long-range effort; before controlling & volleying home after good work on the right from substitute Jack Harrison. It was an indication of the influence McNeil is having these days; having switched to the middle to accommodate Iliman Ndiaye is actually the best situation for both him & the club; with a large proportion of penetrative moves coming from his dribbling runs.

With the team looking likely for their first win of an erstwhile miserable campaign; Everton turned on the power and displayed the spot of gumption & dedication seen only sporadically these days. Orel Mangala & Abdoulaye Doucoure actually look a good fit in the centre of midfield; replacing the previous stalwarts Idrissa Gueye & Tim Iroegbunam; while the return of Jarrad Branthwaite was an obvious fillip at the back. For Palace; they did play alright and showed their usual physicality; however some obvious mistakes; noticeably the first goal from Daichi Kamada; proved telling in the end.