James Garner wants more “surreal” moments like the one he experienced after scoring the screamer in Everton’s 2-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion in their first official game at Hill Dickinson Stadium last month.
On a historic day for Everton Football Club, the official curtain-raiser of their new waterfront stadium, Garner came face-to-face with a moment of raw joy that young kids chase while playing football.
“It was one of those,” he smiles while recollecting the moment after his thunderstrike smashed into the back of the net just in front of the impossibly steep South Stand at Bramley-Moore Dock.
“I said at the time and it’s true, I don’t think people talk about how good a feeling scoring a goal is at any level of football, but then you put the context into it – 50-odd thousand people, it wasn’t just a tap-in but a screamer… it’s literally the stuff you do when you’re on the playground or playing on the streets with your mates as a kid.
“You’d create a situation like that and scream your name out as you hit it like a commentator. To live out a moment like that was surreal, really. It’s special. I want more of those now.”
Nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month, the moment keeps popping up endlessly on Garner’s Instagram feed. The insurance goal, scored after Iliman Ndiaye etched his name into Everton folklore once again, in the 2-0 victory, kick-started a winning run for David Moyes’ side.
They went into the September international break with three victories on the bounce following the opening-day defeat to Leeds United and are fifth in the league table.
The Blues have taken massive strides following the return of the Scotsman, and while it may seem convenient to forget that the team was just above the relegation zone at one point last season, Garner chooses to focus on the mentality shift that Moyes has brought in.
“He said to us on day one that he’s not come here to take over a team that’s fighting against relegation – he said it again on day one of pre-season,” reveals Garner.
“He sets high standards and we know where we want to be. We’ve got a few more faces in over the summer and with the quality we have in the squad now, we all agree with the manager – if you want to achieve big things, then you’ve got to set your standards and your goals high.
“I think you can see it in us. There is a mentality shift. We’re playing with more confidence, going into games thinking how we are going to take all three points, it’s not just surviving. We’ve done that in these first few games. Obviously, the first game [against Leeds] felt like a blip, I don’t think we played well, but we’ve responded and now the aim is to keep building momentum.
“We want to keep winning and keep that winning mentality – that was the message in the changing room amongst all of us after the Wolves game.”
Everton will return to action as they prepare to host Aston Villa at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
Reader Comments (14)
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2 Posted 10/09/2025 at 18:59:30
It might not always work out for him or the team but he does put a shift in.
3 Posted 10/09/2025 at 19:34:19
Completely agree, hope they sort out his contract sooner rather than later. Some on ToffeeWeb don't rate James, and that's their right, but for me he's totally underrated.
Even though he scored a great goal against Brighton, he showed in his performance against Wolves how much we need to play him in his proper position, midfield.
4 Posted 10/09/2025 at 19:58:18
For now, he's a £20 million player whom we can't afford to replace. Sign him up for 4 more years as soon as possible.
5 Posted 10/09/2025 at 20:13:46
Garner reminds me very much of him. Hope he stays.
6 Posted 10/09/2025 at 20:20:46
James Garner is an underrated player who will only get better with good players around him who are comfortable on the ball.
7 Posted 10/09/2025 at 20:36:05
The back injuries do concern me. So sign him, definitely... but keep your fingers crossed.
8 Posted 10/09/2025 at 22:35:55
I always remember Bob Paisley ( I know RS and all that) but he and Shankly knew their stuff. He said " you could go out and buy the best players in the World and basically fail. Every star player has certain strengths, but also weaknesses, you need workhorses to play to their strengths and cover their weaknesses ".
9 Posted 10/09/2025 at 23:37:56
Sorry to say it James, but if we play like that again we won't get away with it. The defence is not right, and I think the only one who thinks it's ok is Moyes and his recruitment team. Branthwaite will improve it but he can't do everything, one way you could improve it D M is tell the defensive mids to do their fkg jobs!
But we have to make do until January, unless Moyes brings in a free agent.
It's so nice to get things off my mind. Or as the Yanks say, off of my mind, or is it of off? 😁
10 Posted 11/09/2025 at 01:36:04
11 Posted 11/09/2025 at 01:36:47
Hope all's well.
12 Posted 12/09/2025 at 02:22:59
He's tidy and always keeps things moving. Not flashy but reliable, hardworking and willing to play out of position for the team. A bit like Neville. I can see why Moyes likes him.
13 Posted 12/09/2025 at 18:46:39
14 Posted 12/09/2025 at 19:13:22
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1 Posted 10/09/2025 at 16:58:07
I hope to see you hit a few more this season after Everton have sorted you out with a new contract.