Premier League Crystal Palace 1 Everton 2 Full time

Carlos Alcaraz's goal was his first for Everton since joining on loan from Flamengo in January

Carlos Alcaraz scored the winner on his first Premier League start for Everton as the Toffees beat Crystal Palace to continue their fine form under David Moyes.

Alcaraz, who joined on loan from Flamengo in January, side-footed home from close range with 10 minutes remaining after Will Hughes had diverted Ashley Young's low drive into his path.

In-form Beto had given the Toffees a first-half lead with a composed finish from Alcaraz's pass, barely a minute after Ismaila Sarr had struck the underside of the crossbar for Palace.

But the hosts were back on level terms early in the second half, with the video assistant referee (VAR) eventually awarding Jean-Philippe Mateta's close-range finish after a lengthy check for offside against the Frenchman.

Oliver Glasner's team were the better side before half-time and briefly thought they had gone in front when Jefferson Lerma sent a header past Jordan Pickford, but Justin Devenny's corner was ruled to have gone out of play before reaching the midfielder.

Dean Henderson produced a fine one-handed save to keep out Jesper Lindstrom's effort not long after Mateta's equaliser, before Beto shot straight at the Palace goalkeeper as Everton sought to regain their advantage.

The visitors finally got the goal they deserved for their second-half display when Alcaraz slotted home to earn Moyes' side a fourth win in five league matches.

The victory puts Everton level on points with Palace, who remain in 12th because of their superior goal difference.

Everton resurgence continues under Moyes

Saturday's contest may not have been as eventful as Wednesday's tumultuous Merseyside derby, but Moyes will be just as thrilled with the outcome as his side moved 13 points above the relegation zone with as many games remaining.

However, the Toffees, who were without the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure and injured Iliman Ndiaye at Selhurst Park, rode their luck in the first half and needed a superb Pickford save to deny in-form Mateta after just six minutes.

They could have fallen behind 61 seconds before their opener, but Palace forward Sarr was denied by the woodwork and Beto converted Alcaraz's pass for his fourth goal in three league games.

Everton were pegged back early in the second half but created the better opportunities after Mateta's equaliser, with Alcaraz's strike his first Premier League goal since scoring for Southampton against Nottingham Forest in May 2023.

The victory means Everton have now won four of their six league games since Moyes returned to the club - more than former boss Sean Dyche managed in 19 matches before his dismissal in January.

Indeed, no other Premier League team has collected more points than Everton's 13 since the Scot rejoined the Toffees.

Home form remains a worry for Palace

Palace have lost only four of their past 17 Premier League outings, but their poor home form is threatening to undermine their campaign.

The Eagles have won twice at Selhurst Park all season, with strugglers Ipswich and Southampton the only sides with fewer victories in front of their own supporters.

Glasner will be frustrated at his side's inability to convert their first-half superiority into a half-time advantage, as Mateta and Sarr both failed to find the net from promising positions.

The Palace boss will likely be dismayed at Everton's opener, too.

Tyrick Mitchell's throw-in towards Lerma missed the midfielder and was intercepted by Alcaraz, whose perfectly-weighted pass was lifted over Henderson by Beto.

Mateta's 11th league goal of the season gave the hosts a platform to push on for all three points, but they failed to clear James Garner's lofted free-kick into the penalty area with 10 minutes remaining, allowing Alcaraz to clinch a vital win for Everton.