Share<\/a><\/p>\n 66 min:<\/strong> In a foot race Beto is always going to outpace Dunk. The Everton<\/a> striker takes his first opportunity to go at his man but Dunk sticks to his task and slides to prevent a shot on goal. Good defending.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 64 min:<\/strong> Two Everton<\/a> changes, Beto and Alcaraz on for Ndiaye and Barry.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 63 min:<\/strong> Brighton are working really hard to get the ball back here. They\u2019ve not given this up. Garner is booked for something, maybe dissent for a free-kick not awarded?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 59 min:<\/strong> Ayari wriggles free on the edge of the box and shoots through a defenders legs, Pickford bats it away.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 58 min:<\/strong> Barry gets on an Everton<\/a> corner ahead of Verbruggen but can\u2019t put his header down.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 56 min:<\/strong> Welbeck has a half-chance to swivel and hit it in the Everton<\/a> box but he hesitates and gets crowded out. Brighton have played well but also looked like they\u2019re in preseason mode at times.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Everton 2-0 Brighton (Garner 52 min)<\/p>\n What a hit from Garner! Everton<\/a> in dreamland here and again Grealish is involved. Gueye picks out Grealish on the left-hand side of the box who attracts a defender and leaves enough space for Garner to run on to the layoff and blast a shot past Verbruggen. Great goal and Hill Dickinson is rocking.<\/p>\n Everton’s James Garner (centre) celebrates scoring their side’s second goal of the game. Photograph: Peter Byrne\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.16 EDT<\/p>\n 50 min:<\/strong> Iroegbunam wins a free-kick in a dangerous position for Everton<\/a> but the delivery is not a good one.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 47 min:<\/strong> It doesn\u2019t take long for Minteh to cause Garner some more problems. The winger latches on to a ball in behind and wriggles past his marker but the cutback doesn\u2019t find a Brighton player.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 46 min:<\/strong> One change at half-time, Carlos Baleba, who has been short of full fitness after an injury in preseason, is withdrawn for Jack Hinshelwood.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Peeeeep!<\/p>\n We\u2019re back underway!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Gary Naylor<\/strong> has landed on something here:<\/p>\n Perhaps a new stadium is worth a goal because Brighton shouldn\u2019t be behind here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half-time: Everton 1-0 Brighton<\/p>\n It\u2019s certainly been an entertaining half at Hill Dickinson but the visitors will be wondering how they aren\u2019t at least level. Brighton have hit the post and bar, while missing two very simple chances.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min:<\/strong> How have Brighton not scored? That is awful from both teams. Firstly Tarkowski plays a no-look pass that puts O\u2019Riley one-on-one with Pickford on the penalty spot. The outcome is just as bad from the Brighton man. With all the time in the world he tries to round Pickford, fails and then his low shot is easily saved. I cannot stress how simple a chance that was. Everton<\/a> living a charmed life.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ve<\/strong> got two minutes of added time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 41 min:<\/strong> Another moment of danger in the Brighton box as Grealish gets one-on-one with Wieffer again. The Everton<\/a> man pokes is back to Garner to sweep in a deep cross which is headed back across goal where Grealish cannot bring it in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 40 min:<\/strong> A couple of bookings in quick succession. First Iroegbunam goes in late on Ayari, then Wieffer is forced to bring down Grealish after Barry wins a decent first header.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 38 min:<\/strong> Brighton hit the woodwork again! Who had Van Hecke 30-yarder on their bingo card? The defender lines up a shot from and beats an outstretched Pickford, who sees the shot ping back off the post.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n K\u00e1ri Tulinius<\/strong> has emailed in with some praise for Everton\u2019s goalscorer:<\/p>\n Iliman Ndiaye is a brilliant footballer, which he showed by not only getting to the end of Grealish\u2019s cross, but also pouncing on a loose ball in midfield and setting the attack in motion which netted him his historic goal. For Everton\u2019s sake, they need to hold on to him.<\/p>\n Hard to disagree with that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 34 min:<\/strong> Tim Iroegbunam goes close to doubling Everton\u2019s lead. The midfielder does incredibly well to hold off two Brighton defenders and get the space to shoot but can\u2019t find the target with his stinging strike. That was a good chance.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 32 min:<\/strong> Minteh is having a lot of joy down the right. This time Dunk picks him out and the winger\u2019s first touch takes him away from James Garner and into the box. The ball comes to Welbeck but Everton<\/a> do well to get back and block the shot.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28 min:<\/strong> De Cuyper is booked for a wrestle with Ndiaye that ends with the Everton<\/a> man getting away and having his shirt pulled.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 27 min:<\/strong> Brighton respond well to the outpouring of emotion from the home fans after the first goal as Matt O\u2019Riley finds a pocket of space just outside the Everton<\/a> box but his effort is neither a shot or a cross and it drifts harmlessly wide.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Everton 1-0 Brighton (Ndiaye 23)<\/p>\n That\u2019s a historic goal and Grealish makes it! Barry does well to hold up the ball and Everton<\/a> sweep it left to Grealish, who bursts into the box, stands up Wieffer and fires across goal for Ndiaye to nod in. It\u2019s a great move and shows the value of having a player of Grealish\u2019s quality in the team.<\/p>\n Everton\u2019s Iliman Ndiaye scores their first goal. Photograph: Peter Powell\/ReutersNdiaye celebrates. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The GuardianShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.20 EDT<\/p>\n 19 min:<\/strong> Brighton should be ahead. Welbeck misses a glorious chance after great work from Minteh to muscle Idriss Gueye off the ball. In truth the winger\u2019s cutback is just behind Welbeck, who is off-balance and puts it over the bar.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 18 min:<\/strong> Wow! Mitoma almost has the first goal at Hill Dickinson with an incredible effort that clips the top of the bar. It\u2019s just a long ball from Verbruggen that neither Tarkowski or O\u2019Brien deal with, Mitoma brings it down and flicks it over the centre-back\u2019s head before crashing a shot that is dipping as it hits the bar. Pickford well beaten.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 17 min:<\/strong> There\u2019s a big roar as Barry gets slipped in behind the Brighton defence after Baleba gave the ball away in midfield. The pass was overhit and Barry was offside but that was a let-off for Brighton.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 15 min:<\/strong> Wieffer v Grealish is going to be fun. The Everton<\/a> man brings down a long, raking ball with a wonderful touch but is immediately clattered.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 12 min:<\/strong> Brighton\u2019s first shot comes in from Yasin Ayari after a tidy bit of football on the left. A free-kick gets awarded to Everton<\/a>, not sure what that\u2019s for.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 min:<\/strong> The pattern has settled a little more now, with Brighton enjoying a spell of possession but not doing a lot with it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.12 EDT<\/p>\n 7 min:<\/strong> Jordan Pickford makes a hurried dash out to the right to cut out a ball over the top to Yankuba Minteh. Brighton waste the throw. The visitors look a little nervy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.12 EDT<\/p>\n 4 min:<\/strong> Iliman Ndiaye gets the first shot away as he wriggles away from Yasin Ayari but his effort from the edge of the box is easy enough for Bart Verbruggen.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.13 EDT<\/p>\n 2 min:<\/strong> Everton<\/a> need to ride the positive emotions here in the opening stages. Grealish definitely feels that and gets the crowd up by battling doggedly for the ball up against Mats Wieffer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.13 EDT<\/p>\n Peeeeep!<\/p>\n Brighton kick us off and we are underway!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The players are out<\/strong> and there is a waft of blue smoke from the pre-match pyro. Kick-off next.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The atmosphere is building at Hill Dickinson.<\/strong> They just interviewed Peter Reid on Sky and you could barely hear him over the noise in the stadium. Team out shortly.<\/p>\n Fans wave flags before the game. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The GuardianShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.19 EDT<\/p>\n Everton v Brighton<\/strong> is not the only 2pm kick-off in the Premier League<\/a> today. In Croydon we have \u2018El CAS-ico\u2019 as Nottingham Forest travel to Crystal Palace. Scott Murray is on for coverage of a testy one at Selhurst Park:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As Moyes hinted at in his chat with Sky,<\/strong> the road to Hill Dickinson Stadium has not always been smooth for Everton<\/a>. Now they are in, there are hopes it can transform both club and community. More from Andy Hunter:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n After the PSR issues<\/strong> that have dogged Everton<\/a> in the last couple of seasons, Daniel Friedkin\u2019s regime has loosened the purse strings. There\u2019s been seven signings so far this summer for a total of around \u00a380 million, with Tyler Dibling looking likely to take that figure above \u00a3100 million. Reports suggest the Southampton winger will be arriving in a deal worth around \u00a342 million, but that wasn\u2019t agreed in time for Dibling to be in the squad today.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.39 EDT<\/p>\n Andy Hunter with (second) first impression of Everton\u2019s new home:<\/p>\n Just arrived at Hill Dickinson Stadium and first impressions (not counting the previous first impressions from February\u2019s test event) are extremely positive. It\u2019s a beautiful day, so that helps, and thousands of fans were here early to check out Everton\u2019s magnificent new home on the banks of the River Mersey. There were plenty of helpful stewards at Sandhills train station to guide people. And hand out Everton Mints at the exit. Nice touch.<\/p>\n It took 16 minutes to walk from Sandhills to the entrance to the stadium on Regent Road. Inevitably, there appeared to be some teething issues with confusion over road closures, where coaches should park and which entrances to use. There was also some congestion in certain parts of the outside concourse. But it is day one as a fully functioning Premier League stadium. The media facilities are very impressive \u2013 a niche point, admittedly \u2013 and the same friendly faces who staffed the press room at Goodison Park for years (including floor manager Lisa Hynds) have transferred across. Tony Hibbert is here too. A real blast from the past. So Everton\u2019s new stadium is up and running. Will the same be true of David Moyes\u2019 team?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n David Moyes<\/strong> has had a quick chat with Sky Sports during the warmups. The Everton<\/a> boss was say slightly awkwardly between Pien Meulensteen and Phil Jagielka but managed to say some nice things about leading out Everton today:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a day in history for everyone here. We\u2019ve got a fantastic, new-looking stadium, now we need a team to match it. I\u2019m hugely privileged (to be in charge) \u2013 it was regularly talked about in my first spell here, but things kept falling down. For me to come back as the manager here, it\u2019s a great thrill for me. I\u2019m the fortunate one who gets to lead the team out today.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Team news!<\/p>\n Everton XI:<\/strong> Pickford, O\u2019Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Iroegbunam, Garner, Gueye, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Barry.<\/p>\n Subs:<\/strong> Onyango, Armstrong, Aznou, Alcaraz, Coleman, Chermiti, Beto, McNeil, Travers.<\/p>\n Jack Grealish starts his first game, coming in for Carlos Alcaraz (not that one) and Thierno Barry comes in for Beto.<\/p>\n Brighton XI:<\/strong> Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper, Baleba, Ayari, Minteh, O\u2019Riley, Mitoma, Welbeck.<\/p>\n Subs:<\/strong> Steele,Gruda, Hinshelwood, Milner, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomez, Veltman, Coppola.<\/p>\n Brighton\u2019s one change is enforced, Georginio Rutter has a slight knock and drops out of the squad, that allows Danny Welbeck to start up top.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n It is more than a year since Brighton departed Goodison Park for the last time. It was an emotional day for the hosts, as what should have been a start to a glorious to the final season at their famous old home turned sour. By full-time, Everton<\/a> fans were streaming out of the ground as Brighton eased to a 3-0 win.<\/p>\n So it is that the Seagulls are also Everton\u2019s first visitors of the season for the 2025-26 campaign, but much has changed in the last 12 months. Everton have a different manager in the dugout and a different owner in the stands. Ashley Young is no longer the starting right-back. Jack Grealish has arrived to try and earn a spot on the plane to North America for next summer\u2019s World Cup. Am I missing something?<\/p>\n Ah yes, we\u2019re at Hill Dickinson Stadium now. A spaceship has landed at Bramley-Moore Dock in the shape of a 52,000-seater modern venue and there is, as is customary, a swell of positivity rolling in off the Mersey. David Moyes has already avenged that opening day rollicking from last season, by guiding Everton to an ugly 1-0 win at the Amex in January. His West Ham teams never did that well against Brighton but he has spoken about making Everton fans fall in love with their new surroundings. His side will need to be better than they were against Leeds on Monday night, at least.<\/p>\n Fabian H\u00fcrzeler should have had his first win of the season already. Brighton\u2019s performance against Fulham wasn\u2019t that inspiring but to concede from a set-piece with almost the game\u2019s last kick was cruel. The Seagulls are not known as heartbreakers. If anything they regularly provide a cure for long winless runs or spells of poor form – Dr Brighton, if you will.<\/p>\n On any other occasion, this would be a game the Seagulls would be targeting for victory if they want to fulfil their owner\u2019s lofty goal of European qualification. This Everton side represent a pretty good opportunity for an away win, but the new stadium is a complicating factor and also a point of interest. Let\u2019s just hope it\u2019s not 0-0.<\/p>\n A spaceship in the distance. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The GuardianFans gather at their new home. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The GuardianFans find their names written on bricks outside the stadium. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The GuardianShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.19 EDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature 67 min: Brighton have…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":369928,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[13,12,14],"class_list":{"0":"post-369927","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-headlines","9":"tag-news","10":"tag-top-stories"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115084221689476081","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=369927"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369927\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/369928"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=369927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=369927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=369927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Andy_Hunter.png\")
Andy Hunter<\/p>\n\n