Dwight McNeil scored twice to earn Everton their first Premier League victory of the season after they’d trailed at half-time to Crystal Palace who remain winless.
The feelgood factor at Goodison Park following encouraging news about a prospective takeover from American businessman Dan Friedkin was in danger of dissipating when the visitors went ahead through England defender Marc Guehi.
But manager Sean Dyche’s decision to replace Jesper Lindstrom for Jack Harrison paid dividends with the second of McNeil’s quickfire goals strikes set up by the substitute.
Dyche was glad to have defender Jarrad Branthwaite back for the first time this season following a groin injury but the visitors started more brightly and went ahead after 10 minutes.
Adam Wharton’s cross after a Palace corner had been recycled was won at the far post by Maxine Lacroix and as the ball reached the six-yard box Guehi stabbed home for his first goal in 16 months.
Remarkably, it was the first time The Eagles had led in any Premier League game this season they celebrated like it.
Everton looked stunned and it took them a while to get going despite Dyche bellowing instructions from the touchline.
Vitaly Mykolenko’s dig from distance made Palace ‘keeper Dean Henderson save and Dominic Calvert-Lewin went close from a corner and then narrowly missed getting his boot on McNeil’s low fizzed cross.
Palace thought they’d scored a second when Nketiah’s deflected shot spun towards the goal-line until Young hacked away.
And there were mutterings of discontent and a few boos when the half-time whistle went with Everton still trailing.
Dyche couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second period with McNeil levelling after 47 minutes.
Taking a pass from Young 25 yards from goal, the winger took responsibility and curled a left-foot beauty around Dean Henderson and into the top corner.
It was McNeil’s third goal of the season and as an encore he nearly slipped in Calvert-Lewin who stumbled over his bootlaces before he could get a shot away.
Next time, the 24-year-old did it himself. Harrison pinged in a centre from the right and McNeil took a touch to beat Nketiah and bundle the ball home from a few yards.
This time it was Oliver Glasner who rolled the dice by sending on Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr after an hour and shifting to a back-four. Jeffrey Schlupp was introduced with 17 minutes left.
Having twice thrown away two-goal leads this season, Everton were naturally a bit anxious and Young signalled to Pickford to calm down after a bit of pinball in the penalty area.
On his 250th Premier League appearance, Abdoulaye Doucoure turned down the chance to settle nerves by miskicking when clean through on Dean Henderson.
This time, Dyche didn’t withdraw Calvert-Lewin and Ndiaye in the closing minutes as he’d done before the late collapse against Bournemouth. Instead, it was McNeil and Orel Mangala who made way and there were roars of relief at the final whistle as Everton crossed the line – after Palace ‘keeper Dean Henderson had headed wide from an injury-time free-kick!
More to follow