Everton opened life at their brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium in perfect fashion, claiming their first Premier League win of the season with a 2-0 triumph over Brighton on the banks of the River Mersey.
Jack Grealish, handed his first start since arriving on loan from Manchester City, was at the heart of both goals on what proved to be a historic afternoon for David Moyes’ side.
The breakthrough came after 23 minutes when Grealish drove a low cross into the box for Iliman Ndiaye, who steered home from close range.
It was a landmark strike—Ndiaye had also netted Everton’s final goal at Goodison Park, and now their very first at their gleaming new home.
Seven minutes into the second half, Grealish turned provider again, slipping the ball into the path of James Garner, who unleashed a stunning 25-yard strike beyond Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton, however, had only themselves to blame for the result.
The visitors dominated much of the first half but squandered clear opportunities—Danny Welbeck fired over from six yards, Kaoru Mitoma and Jan Paul van Heckeboth struck the woodwork, and Jordan Pickford denied Matt O’Riley after a defensive lapse by James Tarkowski.
The Seagulls’ best chance came 16 minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hallhandled inside the box.
Yet Pickford, a pivotal figure in Everton’s survival battles in recent seasons, produced a fine save to his left to stop Welbeck’s spot-kick and extinguish any hopes of a Brighton comeback.
The closing stages saw Everton fans in full voice, celebrating not only three points but a symbolic new chapter in the club’s history.
While their performance was far from flawless, the Toffees showed cutting edge in attack and resilience in defence—qualities that had deserted them in their opening defeat at Leeds.
For Brighton, manager Fabian Hürzeler will rue his side’s wastefulness.
Despite promising build-up play and spells of dominance, the Seagulls left empty-handed, punished by Everton’s clinical finishing and Pickford’s heroics.
