Dwight McNeil scored twice to give Everton their first Premier League win of the season after they trailed at half-time against Crystal Palace, who remained scoreless.
The feel-good factor at Goodison Park following encouraging news of an impending takeover for American businessman Dan Friedkin was in danger of disappearing as the visitors took the lead through England defender Marc Guehi.
But manager Sean Dyche’s decision to replace Jesper Lindstrom with Jack Harrison paid off with the second of McNeil’s quick-fire goals set up by the substitute.
Dyche was pleased to have defender Jarrad Branthwaite back for the first time this season after a groin injury, but the visitors started better and took the lead 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.
Everton secured their first win of the season thanks to a second-half brace from Dwight McNeil
The 24-year-old put the home team level with a sublime goal after half-time
McNeil added a second for the Toffees a few minutes later, scoring from close range
Sean Dyche’s side were buoyed by the return from injury of Jarrad Branthwaite to defense
Remarkably, it was the first time the Eagles had led a Premier League match this season and celebrated in this way.
Everton looked stunned and it took a while for them to get going, despite Dyche bellowing instructions from the touchline.
Vitaly Mykolenko’s shot from distance saved Palace keeper Dean Henderson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin came close from a corner before narrowly missing his boot from McNeil’s low, fizzing cross.
Palace thought they had scored a second when Nketiah’s deflected shot turned towards the goal line until Young cut clear.
And there were murmurs of discontent and some boos as the half-time whistle blew, with Everton still trailing.
Dyche couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second period as McNeil leveled after 47 minutes.
With 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 for an encore he almost slotted home Calvert-Lewin, who tripped over his bootlaces before he could get a shot away.
The next time, the 24-year-old did it himself. Harrison tapped in a center from the right and McNeil connected to beat Nketiah and bundle the ball home from a few yards.
This time it was Oliver Glasner who rolled the dice by bringing on Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr after an hour and moving to a back four. Jeffrey Schlupp was introduced with 17 minutes to play.
Having thrown away two-goal leads twice this season, Everton were naturally a little worried and Young signaled Pickford to calm down after a bit of pinball in the penalty area.
Making his 250th Premier League appearance, Abdoulaye Doucoure turned down the chance to calm nerves by making a mistake as he put Dean Henderson clear.
Palace captain Marc Guehi had given his team the advantage early in the match with a corner kick
But the visitors could not build on the England international’s goal at Goodison Park
This time Dyche did not withdraw Calvert-Lewin and Ndiaye in the closing minutes, as he had done before the late defeat to Bournemouth.
Instead it was McNeil and Orel Mangala who made way and there was relief at the final whistle as Everton crossed the line – after Palace keeper Dean Henderson had headed wide from an injury-time free-kick!
