The midfielder scored the second goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday in Everton's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion
James Garner celebrates scoring at Hill Dickinson Stadium. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
James Garner has spoken of his emotions at scoring one of the first goals at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The midfielder netted the second goal for Everton in a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
Iliman Ndiaye was on hand in the first half to score the first goal at the club's state-of-the-art new home on the Liverpool waterfront. Garner then doubled the Blues' advantage shortly after half time with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.
The goal was the first scored at the towering South Stand end and Garner ran off to celebrate with the jubilant supporters. Speaking to Everton TV, the 24-year-old reflected on what will forever be remembered as a historic moment.
"It's an amazing feeling to just score a goal," he said. "I don't score many, I should be scoring more than what I do. But to just score a goal in the Premier League and to help the team win is such an amazing feeling and achievement.
"I think everyone should talk about it a little bit more, in terms of how it really does make them feel, because it's a feeling that you can't really describe.
"I definitely want to add more goals and that's something that everyone wants to add. It's easier said than done but it's something I know I can do. I know I've definitely got the technical abilities to be scoring more goals, it's now just popping up at the right time and being the right man in the right place, or even just scoring from 25 yards out like I did today – I need to do more of it.
"I'm hoping to help the team a lot more goals and assists-wise this season."
Garner has started the season out of position at left-back for the Blues because of injuries to Vitalii Mykolenko, Adam Aznou and Jarrad Branthwaite.
In games against Leeds United and Brighton it has taken Garner some time to settle into the role, although overall he has performed well in an unfamiliar berth.
On Sunday he was up against a challenging opponent in Yankuba Minteh and Garner spoke about the difficulties of facing up to a winger with so much speed.
"I'm really happy," said Garner on playing at left-back. "I knew what I was up against today with Minteh – he's probably one of the fastest players in the Premier League, so I knew what I had to do and I think I defended him quite well.
"To keep a clean sheet, with Jake [O'Brien] up against another of the Premier League's best wingers as well, is a great feeling. It's good to know that I can defend against these elite-level players."