Everton vs Brighton - Player Ratings: Grealish and Pickford sublime

Everton began a new era at their new waterfront stadium with a 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday.

Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner headline the scoresheet with fine goals while Jordan Pickford and Jack Grealish stole the show with sublime performances, picking up their first win of the season in front of the nearly 53,000 supporters in attendance.

David Moyes would’ve wanted a stronger response from his side after a tepid showing at Elland Road in their campaign opener, and he got it from his players here. 

While the Toffees did ride their luck to protect a one-goal lead at half-time, they were better and more composed in the second half.

Ndiaye wrote his name in the history books once again by being the first to score a goal in an official game at Hill Dickinson Stadium and Garner’s long-distance strike ushered in comfort and stability. Grealish was the provider on both occasions in his first start for the Blues, while Pickford saved a penalty from Danny Welbeck to blow the roof off the stadium late in the game.

Player ratings for Everton in 2-0 win over Brighton:

Jordan Pickford - 9

Jordan Pickford is dynamite! Pickford was at his brilliant best once again as he dove to his left to deny Danny Welbeck from the spot late in the game to protect a clean sheet in his first official start at the new stadium. It was his eighth save from 12 yards since joining Everton in 2017/18. David James (13), Rob Green (9) and Ben Foster (9) are the only Englishmen with more penalty saves in the Premier League than the 31-year-old.

Pickford also produced a great save off Matt O’Riley to prevent James Tarkowski’s blushes after the centre-back made a bizarre back pass late in the first half. 

Jake O’Brien - 7

O’Brien had a solid showing here and kept Kaoru Mitoma quiet on the left flank throughout the game. He also had moments to venture forward in the second half and combine with the likes of Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye and Alcaraz.

James Tarkowski - 4

Leading the Blues out onto the pitch for their first official game at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Tarkowski didn't cover himself in glory with his performance. He failed to clear a long ball from the opposition keeper despite being in front of Mitoma, allowing the latter to hit the crossbar with his shot. 

He also lost his bearings late in the first half and, under pressure from the Brighton attackers, played a bizarre no-look back pass straight towards Matt O’Riley, but fortunately, Pickford had his back. 

Michael Keane - 7

Just like Tarkowski, Keane also didn’t cover himself in glory with the Mitoma chance that struck the crossbar but he had a solid game in defence otherwise. He held the backline steady and shut out half-chances and loose balls.

James Garner - 8

Garner’s thunderstrike from the left created the much-needed cushion of comfort for Everton in the second half. He had yet another solid showing despite being played out of position on the left and defended his flank well. Garner also combined well with Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall and was a threat from set pieces.

Tim Iroegbunam - 6 (subbed off for McNeil at 73’)

While Iroegbunam didn’t impress with his distribution and pass selection, he worked hard off the ball and covered a lot of ground, leading to his exit with a cramp in the second half. He had a positive moment at the edge of the box in the first half, where he skipped past Ayari and Dunk before unleashing a shot that went just wide off the left post.

Idrissa Gana Gueye - 6

The veteran midfielder had an okay game for the Blues. He struggled physically against Minteh on the right, which would’ve resulted in a goal had it not been for Welbeck missing from close range. 

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 5

Dewsbury-Hall impressed with his ground coverage and work rate. He was guilty of handling the ball inside his own box despite turning away from the ball. The playmaker had a positive moment late in the game where he made a 40-yard run before teeing the ball off to McNeil for a shot that went wide.

Iliman Ndiaye - 8 (subbed off for Alcaraz at 64’)

Iliman Ndiaye is a history maker. The last player to score a goal at Goodison Park is now the first to find the back of the net at Hill Dickinson Stadium. 

Ndiaye started this game on the right with Grealish occupying the left, and his trickery and flair allowed him to find solutions on that flank, which has been a problem position for the Blues for a while.

He got his side’s first shot on target with clever footwork from the right to beat two men and then sent the nearly 53,000 fans in attendance into a frenzy by tapping home Grealish’s cross with a clever run to the back post.

Thierno Barry - 7 (subbed off for Beto at 64’)

Barry didn’t have much joy in front of the goal, but his centre-forward play was a lot more positive than Beto’s last week. Barry utilised his physical prowess to beat the attention of his markers and win the ball before laying it off to his teammates. 

That is exactly how the Toffees’ first goal arrived with Barry winning an aerial duel in the middle of the park before releasing it to Ndiaye.

It was a strong and positive show from the 22-year-old Frenchman, and if he continues to impose himself the way he did today, the goals will come soon.

Jack Grealish - 9 (subbed off for Armstrong at 90’)

Grealish brings a kind of assuredness and imagination on the ball that is unmatched. It was his wonderful cross after a successful take-on that allowed Ndiaye to kick off proceedings.

Grealish created three chances from the left on his full debut for the Blues, registering two assists - the same number he had in his last two Premier League campaigns. Besides the deft touches and passes, he also showed graft and constantly tracked back to help Garner. 

Substitutions 

Beto - 6

Beto had two half-chances in the game, a few minutes after coming on and right at the death, but failed to capitalise on them. He particularly could’ve done better with the rebound that fell to him after McNeil’s attempt, but couldn’t angle his body properly before shooting wide.

Charly Alcaraz - 6

Alcaraz injected pace and energy into the game late on to keep things ticking for Everton.

Dwight McNeil - 5

McNeil found himself with two great opportunities to stretch Everton’s lead but failed to keep his shot on target in his first outing of the season. The first chance was a layoff from Grealish that lacked power, while the second, off a counter-attack led by Dewsbury-Hall, was wide to the right of the frame of goal.

Harrison Armstrong - N/A

Had little to do in the dying embers of the game.

 

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