Aug 24, 01:49 PM

Ndiaye Fires Everton Past Brighton in Hill Dickinson Stadium Debut

Everton ushered in a new era on Sunday, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 in the club’s first competitive match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on the banks of the River Mersey. The fixture ended a 133-year residency at Goodison Park and marked Everton’s first home Premier League victory since the opening day of the 2021-22 season. Forward Iliman Ndiaye, who scored the last goal at Goodison in May, etched his name into club history again by tapping in Jack Grealish’s low cross in the 23rd minute—the first goal at the Toffees’ 52,888-seat venue. Grealish, making his home debut after arriving on loan from Manchester City, supplied a second assist nine minutes after the interval, laying the ball back for James Garner to drive a long-range effort beyond goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Brighton threatened a response but Jordan Pickford preserved the clean sheet by diving to his right to stop Danny Welbeck’s 77th-minute penalty, awarded for handball against Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Everton registered just three shots on target to Brighton’s four yet converted twice, giving manager David Moyes a winning start at the stadium he described as “remarkable.” The 2–0 result, coupled with Grealish matching his total Premier League assists from the past two seasons at Manchester City, provided an immediate lift for a side that began the campaign with a narrow defeat at Leeds United. Everton return to action next weekend away to West Ham United, looking to build on a landmark afternoon for club and supporters alike.