**Everton are off the mark in the Premier League after a win over Brighton.**
Iliman Ndiaye made history with the first competitive goal at the club’s new home when he converted Jack Grealish’s far-post cutback in the 23rd minute.
The Blues extended their advantage in the second half from another Grealish assist, this time for James Garner’s low driven shot from just outside the box.
Jordan Pickford still had to come to the hosts’ aid by saving a Danny Welbeck penalty after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was adjudged to have handled the ball.
David Moyes’ side moved to eighth in the table after the opening two games.
_Here were the key talking points from Hill Dickinson Stadium:_
Blues finally have lift-off
---------------------------
Everton’s maiden Premier League fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium would invariably live long in the memory yet still carried a sense of trepidation.
For all the splendour of this £800 million architectural marvel, it had sprung out of the docklands against a backdrop of widespread tumult for its tenants.
It symbolised a brighter future at time when the Blues’ mere existence was threatened on several occasions, by events off the pitch as well as on it.
Fittingly, Goodison Park’s successor made its competitive bow exactly 133 years to the day since the famous old ground officially opened for business.
Out of sight but not mind, a firework and blue smoke display from the roof ahead of kick-off appeared designed with the Grand Old Lady in mind.
Fans also rose to the occasion by transitioning the much-loved Goodison roar to new surroundings, championed by those in the 15,000-strong South Stand.
Briefly, the prospect of Brighton inflicting a third opening home defeat in as many seasons appeared a genuine one amid first-half defensive frailties.
But David Moyes’ side overcame any potential first day nerves with a performance that produced a statement victory for the record books.
Grealish sets out his stall
---------------------------
Evertonians rarely subscribe to the rule of never falling in love with a loan player, and Jack Grealish threatens to test that particular theory further.
The playmaker has pitched up on Merseyside seeking to propel himself back into the reckoning for a place in England’s World Cup squad next summer.
His link play with Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in a trident were surprisingly coherent given their limited preparation for the Seagulls’ visit.
Barely two minutes in, his desire to win back possession from Mats Wieffer by the corner flag had supporters roaring in approval of what was soon to follow.
Grealish provided two sublime assists, first teeing up Ndiaye for the opening goal with a ball to the far post before doing similar for James Garner.
He should conceivably have claimed a hat-trick of goal involvements late on, too, had Dwight McNeil’s finishing touch not eluded him in the penalty area.
A first start in a royal blue shirt came and went without Thomas Tuchel’s watchful eye from the stands but will have put the German firmly on notice.
Ndiaye fulfils his prophecy
---------------------------
Moyes suggested it was maybe written in the stars for him to lead Everton into their new home and the same can be said for his opening scorer.
Ndiaye now occupies a privileged position in the annals of history as the last man to score at Goodison and the first to plunder at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Even before he claimed the first feat in May’s emotionally-charged farewell, the Senegal international had already set his sights on the near future.
Following his arrival 13 months ago, Ndiaye promised daughter Ayla that he would endeavour to be the first name on the score sheet at the new arena.
It took just 23 minutes to realise that prophecy and become only the second Everton player to score in consecutive home games at different stadiums.
He shares that accomplishment with the venerable Fred Geary, who hit the target in both the club’s final outing at Anfield and Goodison’s opening fixture.
If Ndiaye can match the marksman dubbed ‘goal-a-game’ by helping Everton to some belated major silverware, he will have more milestones to clock.