Everton made the perfect start to life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a 2-0 win over Brighton in which Jack Grealish assisted both goals.
Iliman Ndiaye, who had scored the final goals at Goodison Park after 133 years of the men's team playing there, converted Grealish's cross to put Everton in front midway through the first half before James Garner's rocket doubled the lead after the interval.
Brighton will wonder how they allowed it to happen. Early on, Kaoru Mitoma seized upon indecision by James Tarkowski before skimming the ball off the top of the crossbar, then Danny Welbeck spooned over from close range from Yankuba Minteh's centre.
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Iliman Ndiaye scores the first goal at Everton's new stadium to give the hosts the lead
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James Garner rifles home a second goal for Everton to double his side's lead over Brighton
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Everton
Danny Welbeck has a penalty saved by Jordan Pickford as Everton are let off the hook
Even after Everton's goal, Jan Paul van Hecke's drilled shot came back off the post and Matt O'Riley had an effort smothered after latching onto Tarkowski's blind back-pass to Jordan Pickford. After the break, Welbeck had a penalty saved by Pickford.
The kick was awarded after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall blocked a Minteh shot with his hand but the subsequent effort by Welbeck was tame. Pickford had his say and both he and the Toffees fans must have believed at that point that this was just going to be their day.
The points are Everton's first of the season after that disappointing defeat at Leeds in their opener and move them above Brighton in the early Premier League table with Fabian Hurzeler's side still stuck on one after Fulham's late leveller last weekend.
Player ratings:
Everton: Pickford (7), O’Brien (6), Tarkowski (5), Keane (6), Garner (7), Gueye (6), Iroegbunam (7), Dewsbury-Hall (6), Ndiaye (7), Grealish (8), Barry (6).
Subs: Beto (6), Alcaraz (6), McNeil (5), Armstrong (n/a).
Brighton: Verbruggen (5), Wieffer (6), Van Hecke (6), Dunk (6), De Cuyper (5), Baleba (5), Ayari (6), O’Riley (6), Minteh (7), Mitoma (7), Welbeck (5).
Subs: Hinshelwood (6), Kadioglu (6), Gomez (6), Gruda (n/a).
Player of the match: Jack Grealish
Grealish makes swift impact
It has not taken Grealish long to make an impact in an Everton shirt. The England winger bagged two assists in one game only once in his 94 Premier League appearances for Manchester City but he managed it in his very first home appearance for his new team.
There could even have been a hat-trick of assists - something that he has not achieved since his days at Aston Villa - had Dwight McNeil not scuffed a late effort after a chance was laid on a plate for him by Grealish. That really would have seen him steal the show.
He was still man of the match. "Everton have brought in a lot of players over the summer and there are more to come," Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports. "But there is absolutely no doubt which one has excited the Evertonians more than any other."
David Moyes will be thrilled with the commitment shown by him, nevertheless. There was the usual ball retention but he also tracked back to help out Garner. There was a standing ovation when he was taken off. Keep him fit and Everton have a big asset.
Team news:
Jack Grealish was included in the Everton starting line-up with Thierno Barry getting the nod up front. James Garner operated as a makeshift left-back.
Brighton made just one change to the Brighton team from the opening weekend with no Georginio Rutter in the squad. Danny Welbeck came in up front.
Special day for supporters
The same can be said of the Hill Dickinson Stadium itself. Goodison Park could be an intimidating venue for the opposition but architect Dan Meis said beforehand that he wants this place to become "a bear pit" and the atmosphere was encouraging.
Against a backdrop of seagulls and sunshine, this place has a real big-club feel to it and the surroundings ensure that it is no mere template. The stone walls along Regent Road providing the historical context. Old boats can be seen in the dock next door.
Supporters were wide-eyed, taking photographs and searching for their commemorative granite stones on the floor along Everton Way. Everyone is looking to the future but that little nod to the past - and those that cannot be here - helps to make it feel like home.
And three points in the first game does not hurt either.
Story of the match in stats...
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