Grealish impresses as Everton beat Brighton in first game at new stadium

Everton started Premier League life at their magnificent new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey with their first victory of the season against Brighton.

Jack Grealish was given his first start since his loan move from Manchester City and illuminated a historic day for Everton by playing a key role in the goals that set David Moyes' side on the way to three points.

Grealish's driven cross was turned in by Iliman Ndiaye after 23 minutes, a difficult close-range finish made to look easy.

It was a strike celebrated wildly by Everton's fans inside their new home, with Ndiaye achieving the distinction of scoring their last Premier League goal at Goodison Park and their first at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Grealish's pass then found James Garner for a blockbuster finish from 25 yards seven minutes after the break.

Brighton will feel they were architects of their own downfall as they missed a host of first half chances, with Danny Welbeck turning over from six yards and both Kaoru Mitoma and Jan Paul van Hecke striking the woodwork.

Brighton wasted another opportunity to get back into the game after 74 minutes when they were awarded a penalty when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall handled Yankuba Minteh's shot, but Jordan Pickford dived to his left to save Welbeck's spot-kick.

Everton analysis: Grealish lights up Everton's perfect day

Big-name new arrival Jack Grealish (right) played a part in both of Everton's goals on Sunday

Everton were celebrating a new chapter in their long-running story with their first Premier League game since leaving Goodison Park - and only victory would have crowned an occasion that has been many years in the making.

If not yet carrying the atmosphere and hostility of their great old arena, this vast state of the art stadium was a cauldron of sound and colour in the build up to kick-off.

Everton displayed early nerves, but Grealish delivered exactly what Moyes wanted when he delivered the cross which saw Ndiaye arrive at the far post to score.

Grealish excited Everton's fans with his willingness to take on Brighton defenders - a quality which often seemed lost in his latter days at Manchester City - offering them a cutting edge rarely seen in the defeat at Leeds United.

It was his pass that set up Garner for Everton's second, although this was very much a bit part to the rifled finish that flew past Bart Verbruggen.

And it was fitting that goalkeeper Pickford, such a significant figure in keeping Everton in the Premier League in recent seasons, played a key role with the late penalty save from Welbeck that snuffed out any Brighton hopes of a late revival.

The performance may not have been perfect for Everton but winning was all that mattered and the day ended in scenes of joyous celebration in the club's new home.

Brighton analysis: Seagulls pay heavy price for missed chances

Brighton will look back at this defeat and focus on a first half when they created the opportunities to punish Everton, but let the home side off the hook.

When Ndiaye put Everton in front after 23 minutes, it came against the run and play and with the first signs of anxiety just starting to show at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Mitoma glanced the bar with a good chance, before Welbeck wasted a chance created by Minteh, sending a close-range finish over the top with the goal at his mercy.

Tarkowski, who had a nightmare first 45 minutes, then played a back-pass straight to Matt O'Riley and had to be rescued by Pickford's bravery at the feet of the Brighton midfielder.

When Van Hecke hit the post, Brighton must have feared this was not going to be their day, with further proof offered up when the excellent Pickford saved Welbeck's penalty, ensuring Fabian Hurzeler's side went home empty-handed.

What next for these two teams?

Everton: The Toffees play Mansfield Town at home in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, 27 August before travelling to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League at Molineux on Saturday 30 August.

Brighton and Hove Albion: The Seagulls are away to Championship side Oxford United at Kassam Stadium on Wednesday, 27 August, then play Manchester City at Amex Stadium on Sunday, 31 August.