Jack Grealish enjoyed a stellar full debut for Everton, contributing two assists in their 2-0 victory over Brighton. After struggling for game time at Manchester City, Grealish expressed his desire to rediscover his love for football and is embracing the opportunity to play a key role for the Toffees. His performance earned him a standing ovation and praise from manager David Moyes, who hopes Grealish’s arrival signals the start of a new era for the club.
Jack Grealish is breathing new life into his career, and he's doing it at Goodison Park. After a frustrating spell at Manchester City, where playing time was scarce despite flashes of brilliance, Grealish has found a new home with Everton. His full debut for the Toffees was nothing short of spectacular, a performance that not only secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton but also signaled a personal renaissance for the 29-year-old.
The statistics paint a clear picture of Grealish's untapped potential. Last season at City, he managed only 715 Premier League minutes. Yet, even within that limited timeframe, his creative spark was evident, averaging an impressive 2.9 chances created from open play per 90 minutes. Now, liberated from the shadows of the Etihad, Grealish is ready to be the star.
Against Brighton, Grealish orchestrated Everton's attack with precision and flair. He provided the assists for both goals, showcasing the vision and technique that once made him one of the most sought-after talents in English football. It marked only the third time in his top-flight career that he's recorded at least two assists in a single match, with the previous instances coming against Liverpool in October 2020 and Leeds United in December 2022. Remarkably, his two assists in this single game equaled his total output from his previous two league campaigns combined.
The Everton faithful were quick to recognize Grealish's impact. Late in the game, Dwight McNeil nearly converted another Grealish pass, and when the midfielder was eventually substituted, he was met with a standing ovation – a clear indication that he has already won over the hearts of the Toffees supporters.
Speaking to beIN Sports after the match, Grealish emphasized the importance of rediscovering his love for the game. "It was incredible. Maybe at the start there were a few nerves from people. But I loved every minute of it," he said. He acknowledged the challenge of leaving a club like Manchester City, but stressed the allure of Everton's history and tradition. "The main thing for me is to enjoy football, enjoy playing every day. Maybe in the past couple of years, I’ve not fallen out of love, but I’ve not enjoyed football as much as I should. My family said it to me a couple of times. That’s down to no one – it’s down to myself. But I absolutely love football and I want to have that feeling when you wake up on a matchday and you can’t wait to get out there. That’s how I felt today, hopefully my performance showed that."
“Toffees, Jack here…” pic.twitter.com/JK7m0v2rIv
— Everton (@Everton) August 24, 2025
Grealish's impact extended beyond the two assists. His pinpoint cross in the 23rd minute found Iliman Ndiaye, who had the honor of scoring Everton's first goal at their new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Then, early in the second half, James Garner capitalized on another Grealish pass to extend Everton's lead.
Everton manager David Moyes praised Grealish's commitment and determination. "Jack was game for it; he didn’t try to shirk anything. He didn’t want off after 60 minutes – no chance. He wants to show he’s the real deal," Moyes said. He added, "He probably has something to prove. I had something to prove over the years at different times. I think sometimes it gives you that challenge you have to be ready to take it. Hopefully, Jack is."
Moyes is clearly hoping that Grealish's arrival, along with other new signings like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry, marks the beginning of a new era for Everton. He expressed a desire to bring in more players with quality and flair to complement the team's new stadium. He hopes a deal for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling will be completed in the coming days. "If anything, what we’ve been lacking here is a bit of quality and flair," said Moyes. "We’ve got a brilliant stadium now. The plan is over the next few years to try and build a top team."
While Everton celebrated their victory, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler was left to rue missed opportunities. Despite his side generating 2.46 expected goals compared to Everton's 1.84, they failed to convert their chances. Danny Welbeck had a penalty saved by Jordan Pickford, and the Seagulls also hit the post twice in the first half. "Overall we were the better team," said Hurzeler. "But football is about scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. In the final action, the small details, we weren’t at our highest level."
For Grealish, however, the focus is firmly on the future. He is not only eager to continue showcasing his abilities on the pitch but also on building a lasting connection with the Everton fans. If his debut performance is anything to go by, he is well on his way to doing just that. He's not just a player looking for playing time; he's a player looking for joy, and he seems to have found it at Everton.