Everton manager David Moyes was full of praise for Jack Grealish after the midfielder delivered two assists in a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. The 29-year-old, on loan from Manchester City, impressed in just his first league start for the Toffees.
Grealish, who struggled for game time at City last season and missed out on England’s European Championship squad, looked revitalized in Everton colors. His two assists equaled his tally from his last 49 league appearances for City, earning him a standing ovation when substituted late in the match.
“I think the player we saw at City during their treble-winning season is a really exciting one,” Moyes said. “He was determined, didn’t back away, didn’t want to come off. He wanted to prove himself, and I think he did that today.”
Moyes revealed he gave Grealish the freedom to take on defenders and inject creativity into Everton’s attack: “We’ve been looking for that extra spark, and he gave us something different today.”
The manager also highlighted goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s crucial save from Danny Welbeck’s penalty in the 77th minute, following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s handball. “Jordan possibly changed the outcome of the game. If that goes in, it could’ve been a very difficult moment for us. But he showed why he’s top class,” Moyes said.
The win carried extra significance as it was Everton’s first Premier League game at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, exactly 133 years after Goodison Park opened.
Moyes described the occasion as one of joy: “Winning the first match here was important, but more than that, it’s about the people who worked tirelessly to build this stadium. Today was for them.”
