Jack Grealish and Jordan Pickford had been the heroes as Everton celebrated the opening of their new Hill Dickinson Stadium with a win over Brighton this afternoon.
Grealish, who joined the Toffees on mortgage from Manchester Metropolis 12 days in the past, created each objectives on his residence debut whereas Pickford made a string of necessary saves, together with a penalty cease from Danny Welbeck late on, to see Everton residence.
Iliman Ndiaye earned the distinction of becoming the first goalscorer at the new stadium – he additionally grabbed Everton’s final purpose at Goodison Park – with James Garner including a second as Brighton rued an incapability to transform their quite a few probabilities.
Brighton boss opening phases
The win was a lot wanted for the house facet, who started their campaign with a limp 1-0 defeat at Leeds on Monday night.
They rode their luck within the first half with Brighton wanting harmful each time they got here ahead.
Kaoru Mitoma had their first severe likelihood after 17 minutes, latching on to a protracted ball that brought about uncertainty for James Tarkowski.
The Japan worldwide cleverly lifted the bouncing ball over Tarkowski’s head after which fired in a volley that clipped Pickford’s bar on the best way over.
Makeshift left-back Garner was struggling to include Yankuba Minteh and the Gambian escaped his clutches as soon as once more a minute later however his low cross was behind Welbeck and the previous England man may solely scoop his shot over from six yards.
Ndiaye makes historical past for Everton
Everton had been struggling to get out however once they did it resulted within the opening purpose.
Ndiaye began and completed the transfer with some nice play in midfield after which burst ahead to get into the field to volley residence Grealish’s left-wing centre.
Brighton continued to push however their luck remained out. Jan Paul van Hecke crashed a deflected shot towards the publish whereas Pickford needed to dig out Tarkowski after a dismal move again performed in Matt O’Riley. O’Riley pushed the ball spherical Pickford however the England worldwide did fantastically to stand up and hold the shot out.
Everton doubled their benefit 4 minutes into the second half, Grealish laying the ball again for Garner to hammer a drive previous Bart Verbruggen from 20 yards.
Minteh continued to trigger issues and it was his shot that led to the penalty with Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor adjudged to have dealt with.
Welbeck stepped up however by no means regarded convincing and his weak shot to Pickford’s left was simply smothered.
Substitute Beto must have made it three for Everton however the boisterous celebrations on the closing whistle weren’t lengthy in coming.
