Jack Grealish is back as James Tarkowski wobbles - Three winners and three losers as Everton beat Brighton
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Credit: Imago/Everton FC
Chris Smith
Sun 24 August 2025 17:04, UK
Everton opened Hill Dickinson Stadium in style with a 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday.
Goals from Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner – both assisted by Jack Grealish – gave Evertonians a day to remember in their shiny new stadium.
But it wasn’t a clean-cut victory, with Brighton coming within inches of taking the lead on multiple occasions in the first half after lapses in concentration from Everton.
Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford was required to perform his trademark penalty heroics to deny Welbeck late on, preserving his clean sheet.
Nevertheless, Everton are off the mark – both at their new stadium and in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Here are their big winners and losers from Sunday’s clash.
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Jack Grealish
Evertonians love themselves a maverick, and Jack Grealish is as maverick as they come.
The 29-year-old already seems to have found a special place in the hearts of his new fanbase, performing his media duties after signing on loan from Manchester City with all the character and class you’d imagine.
Of course, his performance on Sunday won’t hurt, either, with Grealish providing the assists for both Everton goals on a memorable afternoon.
His turn of pace and cross for the opener was vintage Grealish and a taster of what the Toffees can expect from a player who genuinely has the ability to change their fortunes.
Assists at Hill Dickinson Stadium:
He’s back.
Iliman Ndiaye
Iliman Ndiaye had already written his name into Everton folklore by scoring the last goal at Goodison Park at the end of last season, but now, he’s truly unforgettable.
The Senegal international — who was easily the Toffees’ most exciting attacking force last season — bookended two eras of Everton Football Club by scoring their first competitive goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Stats vs BrightonIliman NdiayeTouches30Shots2Goals1Successful dribbles3/5Successful passes10/11Iliman Ndiaye’s stats vs Brighton (FotMob)
Supporters will hope his combination with Grealish here isn’t a one-off, with the pairing jam-packed with ability, vision and fearlessness.
At the very least, Ndiaye ensured he wouldn’t be outshone by Grealish, proving a thorn in Brighton’s side for a good 50 minutes before running out of steam.
David Moyes
From the moment he was unveiled for his second spell as manager, you remembered just how much David Moyes loves Everton.
It felt right at the time that he should be the one to guide the Toffees away from Goodison Park, and it feels equally right now that he should lead them into this exciting new era.
On the pitch, there was a lot to like for Moyes, with the likes of Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall showcasing how much they can level up his side, while existing stars like Ndiaye and Garner lit up Hill Dickinson Stadium with their goals.
It wasn’t perfect, and Moyes will be looking at veterans James Tarkowski and Idrissa Gana Gueye to cut out some uncharacteristic defensive errors.
But optimism is back up once again following the low of Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Leeds.
An honourable mention in the winners section is also saved for the Everton fans, who have waited so long for this moment.
James Tarkowski
Things were so close to going wrong for Everton when Tarkowski inexplicably gave the ball away inside his own box just before half-time, but Jordan Pickford stepped up to deny Matt O’Riley and spare his captain’s blushes.
Tarkowski was nowhere near his best today, being caught out of position a few times aside from that mistake — following on from a difficult performance against Leeds.
There’s no doubting the Toffees skipper will come good again, but this was an unusually nervous showing on a massive day in Everton’s history from Tarkowski.
Thierno Barry
After a cameo from the bench in the defeat to Leeds, Thierno Barry was thrust into the starting line-up for his first Everton start since signing from Villarreal.
However, it wasn’t the audition the France youth international would’ve hoped for.
Barry completed just seven of his 14 passes during his 64 minutes on the pitch, while only getting 18 touches of the ball, two of which were inside the Brighton box.
Both those touches were considerable chances, with Barry fluffing both to the tune of 0.60 xG wasted.
There were some positives, with the 22-year-old never letting his work rate drop, while he provided a presence against the Seagulls’ defence with six of 11 aerial duels won and made some dangerous runs.
The ingredients are clearly present, but there’s a lot of refinement required if Barry is to be a hit at his new club.
Idrissa Gana Gueye
On what was a glorious day for Everton Football Club, it’s quite hard to pick out a third loser.
Idrissa Gueye is the unlucky man to take the spot, thanks primarily to being caught out on his own byline to allow Brighton to create a chance for Danny Welbeck — which he shanked over the bar from close range.
There were a couple of occasions where Gueye was a little too casual.