Everton beat Winless Palace for first victory



Dwight McNeil's second-half double gave Everton their first Premier League victory of the season against winless Crystal Palace to relieve the pressure on manager Sean Dyche.

The Toffees had collected just one point from their opening five games and although Saturday's contest did not start too well, the win moved them out of the bottom three for the first time this term.

Palace took the lead on 10 minutes courtesy of England centre-half Marc Guehi, who reacted quickest to poke in from close range following Maxence Lacroix's knock down from a corner.

Set-pieces have been causing Everton issues this season and they almost conceded again, this time via Daniel Munoz's goalbound header which was cleared off the line by Iliman Ndiaye.

At the other end, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and McNeil failed to convert headed efforts as Everton struggled to work visiting goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the opening period.

But the home side responded immediately after the restart as McNeil's thumping drive from range curled past Henderson and nestled in the far corner of the net.

The equaliser brought the crowd to life and Everton quickly grabbed a second, McNeil controlling Jack Harrison's cross before volleying in from the angle.

Oliver Glasner's side barely threatened after an impressive opening period and are in need of improvement, collecting just three points from their six games so far.

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