Jack Grealish explains surprise at Everton tactical tweak as he lights up Hill Dickinson Stadium

Jack Grealish delivered on his promise to emulate Everton’s No.18s with a starring role on the official opening of Hill Dickinson Stadium. The England star was fittingly involved in both goals during the 2-0 win over Brighton in a shirt made famous by Goodison Park legends. Grealish received the first standing ovation at Hill Dickinson StadiumGetty Grealish inherited Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne‘s No.18 after completing a season-long loan switch from Manchester City. While his heroes are both established in the Goodison record books, Grealish ensured his name will be etched in the ones at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The 29-year-old will forever be the player who assisted Everton‘s first Premier League goal at their new £750million stadium. Inside the first 23 minutes, Grealish’s low cross was turned home by Iliman Ndiaye, who scored both of Everton’s goals in a 2-0 win over Southampton during the final match at Goodison in May. It was his first Premier League assist since he was the architect of Josko Gvardiol‘s strike in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle in September 2024. That turned out to be the only time Grealish directly scored a goal in the top-flight last season, matching his tally from the year before. But Grealish doubled his assists when he teed up James Garner for a thunderous 25-yard effort – the most he has managed in a single Premier League season since Man City’s treble-winning campaign in 2022/23. His two assists against Brighton are also as many goal involvements as he managed in his previous 31 Premier League games. Grealish became only the second Everton player with two assists on his first Premier League start for the club, after Lucas Neill in 2009. The former Aston Villa captain then received a standing ovation inside Hill Dickinson after he was withdrawn in added time. Grealish has hit the ground running at Everton The England star revealed Everton wanted to put on a show for their fansGetty Grealish ‘very happy’ after first Everton win Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Grealish shared his delight at helping his new loan club secure their first three points of the season. “It was massive,” Grealish said. “Our first game at the new stadium, and we wanted to put on a show for the supporters. “Playing against Brighton is a tough game, so we’re happy to get a win. “I absolutely loved my time at Man City, and I had a great four years there and won a lot of things, but this summer felt it was right for a change, and as soon as I spoke to David Moyes on FaceTime, I knew I wanted to come. “There’s lots of reasons why I wanted to come here, and today showed why.” Grealish was relishing his new partner in Everton’s attack Everton tipped to threaten with Grealish Grealish also joked that he played a part in the tactics against Brighton, having encouraged David Moyes to start him alongside Iliman Ndiaye, whom he ended up assisting for the first goal. “I said yesterday that the manager hadn’t played us together in training,” he added. “Today is the first time.” Grealish’s starring performance underlined the claim from his former Villa teammate, Gabby Agbonlahor, that Premier League clubs should be wary of Everton with him in their ranks. Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT Breakfast: “Sometimes, in [Grealish’s] position, you can go to another club that’s maybe bigger in a sense of where they’re going to finish, but you’re not playing regularly. “With the season he had last season, he needs to go to a club where David Moyes says to him, ‘You’re my No.10, you’re playing.’ “I want you in that role, Ndiaye off the left, [Dwight] McNeil on the right, Beto down the middle, they’ve brought in Dewsbury-Hall, who will start with Idrissa Gueye or [Carlos] Alcaraz.” He then added: “In midfield and attacking positions, it’s starting to look like, okay then, let’s take note of Everton. “Go and enjoy your football. He’s got a manager who will understand him as a person and a player. He’ll get the best out of him.”

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Jack Grealish explains surprise at Everton tactical tweak as he lights up Hill Dickinson Stadium

Jack Grealish delivered on his promise to emulate Everton’s No.18s with a starring role on the official opening of Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The England star was fittingly involved in both goals during the 2-0 win over Brighton in a shirt made famous by Goodison Park legends.

Grealish received the first standing ovation at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Grealish inherited Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne‘s No.18 after completing a season-long loan switch from Manchester City.

While his heroes are both established in the Goodison record books, Grealish ensured his name will be etched in the ones at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The 29-year-old will forever be the player who assisted Everton‘s first Premier League goal at their new £750million stadium.

Inside the first 23 minutes, Grealish’s low cross was turned home by Iliman Ndiaye, who scored both of Everton’s goals in a 2-0 win over Southampton during the final match at Goodison in May.

It was his first Premier League assist since he was the architect of Josko Gvardiol‘s strike in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle in September 2024.

That turned out to be the only time Grealish directly scored a goal in the top-flight last season, matching his tally from the year before.

But Grealish doubled his assists when he teed up James Garner for a thunderous 25-yard effort – the most he has managed in a single Premier League season since Man City’s treble-winning campaign in 2022/23.

His two assists against Brighton are also as many goal involvements as he managed in his previous 31 Premier League games.

Grealish became only the second Everton player with two assists on his first Premier League start for the club, after Lucas Neill in 2009.

The former Aston Villa captain then received a standing ovation inside Hill Dickinson after he was withdrawn in added time.

Grealish has hit the ground running at Everton

The England star revealed Everton wanted to put on a show for their fans

Grealish ‘very happy’ after first Everton win

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Grealish shared his delight at helping his new loan club secure their first three points of the season.

“It was massive,” Grealish said. “Our first game at the new stadium, and we wanted to put on a show for the supporters.

“Playing against Brighton is a tough game, so we’re happy to get a win.

“I absolutely loved my time at Man City, and I had a great four years there and won a lot of things, but this summer felt it was right for a change, and as soon as I spoke to David Moyes on FaceTime, I knew I wanted to come.

“There’s lots of reasons why I wanted to come here, and today showed why.”

Grealish was relishing his new partner in Everton’s attack

Everton tipped to threaten with Grealish

Grealish also joked that he played a part in the tactics against Brighton, having encouraged David Moyes to start him alongside Iliman Ndiaye, whom he ended up assisting for the first goal.

“I said yesterday that the manager hadn’t played us together in training,” he added. “Today is the first time.”

Grealish’s starring performance underlined the claim from his former Villa teammate, Gabby Agbonlahor, that Premier League clubs should be wary of Everton with him in their ranks.

Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT Breakfast: “Sometimes, in [Grealish’s] position, you can go to another club that’s maybe bigger in a sense of where they’re going to finish, but you’re not playing regularly.

“With the season he had last season, he needs to go to a club where David Moyes says to him, ‘You’re my No.10, you’re playing.’

“I want you in that role, Ndiaye off the left, [Dwight] McNeil on the right, Beto down the middle, they’ve brought in Dewsbury-Hall, who will start with Idrissa Gueye or [Carlos] Alcaraz.”

He then added: “In midfield and attacking positions, it’s starting to look like, okay then, let’s take note of Everton.

“Go and enjoy your football. He’s got a manager who will understand him as a person and a player. He’ll get the best out of him.”