Garner: “Special feeling” scoring first goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium

James Garner says netting the opening goal in front of Hill Dickinson Stadium’s iconic South Stand gave him a “special feeling” that he struggled to put into words, while outlining his ambition to add more goals this season.

Speaking to evertontv after Everton’s 2-0 victory over Brighton, the 24-year-old reflected that victory on such a historic day for the Club should now serve as a platform for a bright new chapter.

“A clean sheet, a goal and a 2-0 win at the new stadium is everything I could have hoped for,” he smiled. “We had the first glimpse of what this stadium could be like when we’re scoring and when we’re winning and I’m hoping for many more days and nights, just like how it was [on Sunday].

“I played in some high-pressure games at Goodison and some really memorable games at Goodison, but to be part of that first game, our new home, was special – and it was even more special to start off with a win.”

On his strike, Garner explained: “It’s an amazing feeling to just score a goal. I don’t score many, I should be scoring more than what I do. But to just score a goal in the Premier League and to help the team win is such an amazing feeling and achievement. I think everyone should talk about it a little bit more, in terms of how it really does make them feel, because it’s a feeling that you can’t really describe.

“I definitely want to add more goals and that’s something that everyone wants to add. It’s easier said than done but it’s something I know I can do. I know I’ve definitely got the technical abilities to be scoring more goals, it’s now just popping up at the right time and being the right man in the right place, or even just scoring from 25 yards out like I did today – I need to do more of it.

“I’m hoping to help the team a lot more goals and assists-wise this season.”