Jack Grealish admitted Everton have already helped him rediscover his love for the game after producing a dazzling full debut at their new stadium.
The 29-year-old was handed his first start since joining on loan from Manchester City and rose to the occasion, setting up both goals in a 2-0 victory over Brighton that crowned the Toffees’ Premier League bow at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Jamie Carragher crowned him player of the match.
Grealish teed up Iliman Ndiaye to score the first goal at the club’s new home, before laying on James Garner’s long-range strike that sealed the points for David Moyes’ side.
The England international said afterwards that he had been searching for joy in his football again following a testing spell at City, despite the silverware he won there.
‘For me, I wanted to come here and the main thing was to enjoy football, you know, enjoy playing every day,’ Grealish told beIN Sports. ‘And I think maybe at times in the last couple of years, I’ve fallen out of love – not fallen out of love, but just didn’t enjoy football as much as I should.
‘My family said it to me at times when I was at home and stuff. That’s down to no one else, it’s down to myself. But yeah, I absolutely love football and I want to have that feeling again, when you wake up on a match day and you just can’t wait to get out there. That’s how I felt today and hopefully my performance showed that.’
Jack Grealish assisted both goals on his full debut for Everton in a 2-0 victory over Brighton
Grealish pictured with Iliman Ndiaye after he scored Everton’s first goal at their new stadium
Grealish and Ndiaye were both full of smiles after the final whistle at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
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The former £100 million man added that his welcome on Merseyside has already left him feeling revitalised.
‘I’ve been here now for just 10 days or something and I’ve loved every minute of it,’ he said. ‘Everyone has welcomed me so, so nicely. The manager has been brilliant with me, always speaking with me and making me feel wanted and loved really.
‘The group are a good group and I could see that from the outside over the last couple of years. I’m really fortunate to be a part of it now and hopefully we can make a lot of memories together.’
On the pitch, Grealish linked up superbly with Iliman Ndiaye, who scored the historic opener. Asked if the pair could thrive together, he smiled: ‘Of course we can. Ili is a special footballer. We’ve shown that today and hopefully we can link up a lot more in the future.’
The result ensured Everton christened their new home with a victory, as Jordan Pickford’s late penalty save from Danny Welbeck preserved a two-goal cushion on a landmark afternoon.
Brighton, meanwhile, were left to rue a succession of missed chances, striking the woodwork twice in the first half before Welbeck saw his spot-kick kept out.
The Toffees now turn to a Carabao Cup tie with Mansfield Town on Wednesday, before facing Wolves at Molineux next weekend.
