Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton’s season and Jack Grealish’s bid to reignite his career are all up and running. The on-loan winger from Manchester City delivered two assists in a sparkling home debut for David Moyes’ team as Brighton were beaten in impressive fashion. Everton and Grealish looked at home in their sleek new surroundings.
There was pressure and expectation on Everton to serve up a performance befitting the first Premier League game at the £800m arena. They did not disappoint. Grealish set up both goals, for Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner, and departed to a standing ovation when substituted in the 94th minute. Fabian Hürzeler’s visitors had enough chances to have spoiled Everton’s grand day, including from the penalty spot, but were not clinical or convincing when it mattered. Jordan Pickford saved Danny Welbeck’s spot-kick to ensure there would be no first-day nerves among those in royal blue.
The architect responsible for the finest development along the Liverpool waterfront in decades, Dan Meis, flew in from Los Angeles to witness the completion of what he called: “a long and emotional journey”. Evertonians made clear their appreciation for Meis’s vision when he was introduced to the crowd before kick-off. The volume went up several notches when Grealish’s name was announced in an Everton starting lineup for the first time. Grealish would prove the architect of the historic first Premier League goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
