Chadi Riad stretchered off during Everton v Crystal Palace Premier League opener
Chadi Riad was stretchered off during Crystal Palace’s Premier League opener away to Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, England, on August 22, 2026, after sustaining an injury.
Crystal Palace began their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with an away trip to Everton and started the match without Ismaila Sarr. Pierre Sage named Riad in a three-man backline alongside Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot. The coach had looked to Riad’s recent form and experience following the defender’s involvement in Morocco’s FIFA World Cup 2026 run. Palace were unable to alter the scoreline in their league-opening fixture.
The game remained goalless until the 40th minute; in the 42nd minute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall opened the scoring for the hosts and the lead was later doubled when Thierno Barry found the net. Palace conceded two goals in the first half and could not significantly respond before the interval. The two strikes left Everton in front in the opening match of Crystal Palace’s domestic season. Pierre Sage’s side therefore faced both the scoreline and the injury setback during the same period.
Riad had been a key figure for Morocco at the FIFA World Cup 2026, helping the side’s defence until their run ended in the quarterfinals, and was viewed by the new head coach as a player to rely upon at club level. He was selected to start by Sage and lined up centrally in the back three alongside Richards and Canvot. That selection reflected the manager’s faith in Riad’s recent international form and assumed club contribution.
The injury occurred when Riad went to block a shot from Thierno Barry, who had already scored earlier in the match; Riad subsequently collapsed and required on-field attention. The medical team rushed onto the pitch to tend to the defender and, according to replays, the situation appeared serious. He was carried off the field on a stretcher after the stoppage for treatment.
Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was introduced as Riad’s replacement during the match. The substitution came after the medical withdrawal and left Palace reshaping their defence for the remainder of the game. The interruption added an additional problem for Pierre Sage’s side on a day when they had already fallen two goals behind.
Riad’s removal therefore represented a further setback for Crystal Palace in their Premier League opening fixture, with the team trailing by two goals and forced to make an early defensive change.
