Grealish lights the stage as Everton christen Hill Dickinson with 2-0 win over Brighton

Everton marked their first Premier League game at Hill Dickinson Stadium with a composed 2-0 victory over Brighton, a night illuminated by Jack Grealish’s first start since his loan from Manchester City. The winger produced two assists on the club’s historic evening on the banks of the River Mersey, supplying Iliman Ndiaye for the opener on 23 minutes before laying on James Garner’s long-range second soon after the interval.

Brighton had ample opportunities to spoil the party. Kaoru Mitoma struck the bar, Danny Welbeck lifted one over from close range, Jan Paul van Hecke hit a post, and Matt O’Riley was denied by Jordan Pickford after a wayward back-pass. When a 74th-minute penalty offered a route back, Pickford dived left to save Welbeck’s kick and ensure the Seagulls left empty-handed.

A milestone night on the Mersey

This was more than a fixture; it was a landmark. Everton’s new £800m home crackled with anticipation, architect Dan Meis flying in from Los Angeles to witness what he called “a long and emotional journey.” The club’s intent to turn the arena into a bear pit felt real, the soundtrack set by supporters who greeted Grealish’s inclusion with a surge of noise.

Everton, understandably, showed early nerves before finding their rhythm. Grealish, gesturing for calm and for defenders to avoid hopeful long balls, provided clarity as well as incision. The tone of the night was set when his directness began to stretch Brighton in transition and in one-on-ones.

Seagulls’ chances meet woodwork and waste

Before Everton’s breakthrough, Brighton were on top. Mitoma capitalised on James Tarkowski’s misjudgment of a clearance to chest control and crash a fierce volley against the crossbar. Moments later, Yankuba Minteh muscled his way to the byline and cut back for Welbeck, who, off balance, scooped over from inside the six-yard box.

Even after Ndiaye’s opener, the visitors threatened. Van Hecke’s 25-yard strike, deflected off Grealish, thudded against the post with Pickford beaten, and in first-half stoppage time Tarkowski’s dreadful back-pass presented O’Riley with a chance that Pickford smothered. Brighton’s wastefulness would loom large.

Grealish the difference, twice

The opener flowed from right to left: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall switched play to Grealish, who attacked Brighton’s exposed right-back Mats Wieffer and zipped a cross to the far post for Ndiaye to volley home from close range. It was a neat symmetry for Ndiaye, already in the club’s history books after scoring the final league goal at Goodison Park.

Early in the second half, Brighton appealed for offside against Thierno Barry during the build-up, but play continued and Idrissa Gueye found Grealish on the opposite flank. He teed up Garner 25 yards out, and the midfielder’s low drive flashed through Minteh’s legs and inside Bart Verbruggen’s near post. Brighton had targeted Garner at left-back from the outset; here, he answered at the other end. Grealish might have had a hat-trick of assists but Dwight McNeil scuffed a late chance laid on a plate.

Pickford’s big hand closes the door

With 15 minutes left, Dewsbury-Hall handled a Minteh shot and Brighton had a lifeline. Welbeck’s penalty lacked conviction; Pickford read it, dived to his left and parried, preserving a two-goal cushion and chalking up the eighth Premier League penalty save of his career.

It was not the first time the Everton goalkeeper had been pivotal. He had earlier rescued Tarkowski with a brave stop at O’Riley’s feet, and he remained composed as Brighton pushed. The save put paid to any late jeopardy.

What it means and what’s next

The result delivered Everton’s first points of the season following defeat at Leeds and lifted them above Brighton, who stay on one point after conceding late against Fulham last weekend. The new stadium already feels like a platform as much as a backdrop.

Looking ahead, Everton host Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, 27 August before visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, 30 August. Brighton travel to Oxford United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, 27 August and then welcome Manchester City on Sunday, 31 August.