Everton 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion

The build-up to the first game at Hill Dickinson Stadium will have provided enough excitement, dread and giddiness to make even the calmest of Evertonians consider a few pre-match pints, or doughnuts for that matter. 

Everton prepared for their first competitive encounter at the 52,000 seater with a few concerns highlighted at the start of the week. Notably, the blues looked off it against Leeds; disjointed and lacking attacking edge or clarity, it was surely the perfect time to show some progression following the lacklustre performances of the summer thus far. Off the field, the signing of Tyler Dibling is finally looking imminent and could provide further creativity on the wing. Yet, the mood around the club seemed reliant on the occasion at Bramley-Moore Dock, with its outcome pivotal in shaping Everton’s hopes for the season ahead. 

The Stadium

As the fans made their walks to the ground, there were mixed feelings in the air. There would be traditions passed over, but it seemed some would be lost forever. The cheers of kids playing in Kirkdale yards; the shouts of the programme sellers on street corners; the muffled buzz of chatter as you get closer to the ground; all tucked away behind the terraced houses. To the more industrial Regent Road, with less rugged charm and an unfamiliar breeze. In many ways, the walk through the gates to Bramley-Moore signified the final part of closure in the move away from Goodison Park.

Once in the shadow of the stadium, it is hard not to get blown away by the monumental brilliance in architecture. This is a proper ground, and worthy of grieving a grand old place where memories and relationships were built over many years. In seeing the fans search for their stones on Everton Way, there was a pocket of the old Everton that filled the air with comfort and knowledge that some things will never change. The community, passion and love for the club is still very much alive, despite worries from some that the new stadium would lack soul. 

Inside, there may have been some teething issues depending on where you were on the concourse. I’m going to leave it up to someone else to have a moan about the efficiency of the bars or the prices of doughnuts. 

The excitement bears down on you once looking out onto the pitch. The club weren’t lying, there really aren’t any bad seats in the house, and it’s in these enhanced views of the pitch that real appreciation can be found in our new home. As the fans filled the stadium and the sirens blared out, there was a familiar anticipation for Z Cars and the players to come out from the tunnel. The noise was magnificent upon the arrival of the players, and there can be no denying that the place can create an almighty sound. 

The Match

Two changes from the Leeds match saw Thierno Barry and Jack Grealish handed starting positions in replacement of Alcaraz and Beto. With injuries still depleting the defence, the full backs remained the same and again Everton would be exposed against two very handy wingers. If it weren’t for the occasion, the anxiety to the frailties of the team may have been more evident in the atmosphere.

Ten minutes in and Brighton had managed to silence the crowd somewhat with their retention of the ball. They knocked it around nicely and were using the pace and dribbling ability of Minteh and Mitoma to trouble the Everton backline. A couple of huge chances came Brighton’s way and if any were converted it could have killed the optimistic feeling in the stadium. Despite early pressure from the Seagulls, it was Everton who opened the scoring with Iliman Ndiaye’s finish after a nice take from Dewsbury-Hall and then a perfect cross from Grealish. 

Brighton were unlucky again before the half-time whistle and these let offs further highlighted Everton’s need for full focus and sturdiness at the back. James Tarkowski thought he’d make sure we all knew exactly how good Jordan Pickford was right before the break. Realistically, Evertonians knew how pivotal to the game a Brighton goal would’ve been at this time, but Pickford denied O’Riley at full stretch. 

The Toffees came out in the second half and got the job done with the help of a thunderous strike from James Garner, once again assisted by the impeccable Jack Grealish. There were snippets of Everton’s attacking threat throughout the game, mainly through the on-loan Manchester City man, as well as Ndiaye, who was much more effective than last game out. Though there were encouraging signs offensively, it was our number one who secured us the points with a fine penalty save. Pickford does his homework on potential penalty takers and guessed right against Danny Welbeck this time. The dedication to his craft is a trait many underestimate in Pickford, and one of the reasons he has managed to keep his England spot for so many years. 

The missed penalty spared Everton twenty minutes of nerves and allowed the fans the bask in the knowledge that today was our day. Brighton will feel hard done as they hit the bar and the post, as well as missing a few gilt-edged chances. The ball fell in Everton’s favour throughout the game and you get the feeling it was just never meant to be about the Seagulls today. A 2-0 win to kickstart our first season at Hill-Dickinson Stadium. 

David Moyes will be extremely pleased with the response from the players after the Leeds game. Led by Gana Gueye in midfield, Everton were more intense and wanted to step in on their opponents without losing their shape. At times where Brighton kept us off the ball, there was a patience from the fans which was not always seen at Goodison. That being said, there will be those who will be already write off both strikers as not good enough. Moyes himself admitted he brought in Barry earlier than he’d have liked, and this shows his demand for goals from his forward players. The manager is not afraid to set high standards from his players and wants to see a more offensively fluid team that still has the bite required of any Everton set-up. Barry looked useful at times and showed he can link up and play with his feet without imposing himself too much on the game. 

There were some solid performances to note, particularly that of the full backs Garner and O’Brien, who defended well against two very fast and direct wingers. It was a demand of these two to get on the ball and help us play which was executed well, with Garner getting himself a goal to epitomise this. With Tarkowski having a rocky first half, Michael Keane was faultless throughout and showed why Everton have continued to call upon him as backup to Jarrad Branthwaite. Despite not always being a fan favourite, Keane’s attitude is commendable and his experience is useful in times where the defence is struck with injury. Another shoutout goes to Tim Iroegbunam, who I didn’t think had a great game against Leeds on Monday but really showed us his potential in this one. He keeps the ball well and shows his intent to go forward in possession. Tim may start less once players return from injury but now is a good opportunity for minutes and to prove himself. 

So an Everton win courtesy of a little bit of quality in attack, along with some typically rugged defence – bodies (and hands) on the line to keep a clean sheet. Brighton are no mugs and that’ll go down as a very timely and important win in a season that is still unsure of what the toffees will bring to the table. Come on you blues!