Jack Grealisk wants to enjoy his football again while enjoying an impressive complete debut with Everton.
Grealish, who earlier on loan in August in August, had struggled in Manchester City for Gametime in recent seasons.
Indeed, the 29-year-old played only 715 minutes in the Premier League last season, although his 2.9 opportunities created by Open Spel per 90 demonstrated the creative qualities of Grealisheh.
And they could be seen as Grealisk Teed both goals of Everton in the 2-0 victory of the Toffees on Brighton in their first league match in Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It is only the third time that Grealisk has registered at least two assists in a top match (three versus Liverpool in October 2020 and three versus Leeds United in December 2022), while his two assists were as many as his previous two league campaigns together.
Grealisk could easily have had a third assist when Dwight McNeil wiped a shot late and the English international went to a standing ovation.
And for Grealisk, the move to Everton was completely about rediscovering his pleasure on football.
He said to Bein Sports: “It was incredible. Maybe there were a few nerves of people in the beginning. But I loved every minute.
“It's hard to explain – many people, when they leave the city, it's one of the best clubs in the world, [they have] Won four Premier League titles in the past five years, won the Champions League and many cups. I don't know where people expect from you.
“But this is a huge club – the history of Everton and what they have done over the years. They have always been to the Premier League.
“Toffees, Jack here …” pic.twitter.com/jk7m0v2riv
– Everton (@EVerton) 24 August 2025
“The most important thing for me is to enjoy football, enjoy every day. Maybe I have not fallen out of love in recent years, but I didn't enjoy football as much as I should. My family said it to me a few times.
“That is no more than nobody – it's up to myself. But I am absolutely fond of football and I want that feeling when you wake up on a matchday and you can't wait to get there. That is how I felt today, hopefully my performance showed that.”
Grealalish drilled in an excellent cross for Iliman Ndiaye, who scored the last goals in Goodison Park last season, to open Everton's account in their new house in the 23rd minute.
James Garner then struck early in the second half in a second of a Grealish Tee-Up.
David Moyes said: “Jack was a game for it; he didn't try to miss anything. He didn't want to leave after 60 minutes – no chance. He wants to show that he is the real deal.
“He probably has something to prove. Over the years I had something to prove at different times. I think it sometimes gives you the challenge that you must be ready to accept. Hopefully Jack is that.”
Hill Dickinson Stadium is the 49th different stadium where Moyes took the lead in a Premier League match, with only Arsene Wenger (54) and Alex Ferguson (52) managing a competition in more unique locations in the competition.
With new signing sessions Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry All, from Sunday, Moyes now wants to see Everton bring in more players who can bring the club to their new era.
“If there is something, what we are missing here is a bit of quality and flair,” said Moyes, who hopes that a deal for Southampton's Tyler Dibbling will be completed in the coming days.
“We now have a brilliant stadium. The plan is to try to build a top team in the coming years.”
Brighton had their chances, where Danny Welbeck saw a penalty that was saved by Jordan Pickford, while the seagulls hit the post twice in the first half.
“In general we were the better team,” said Fabian Hurzeler, whose side ended with 2.46 expected goals to 1.84 from Everton.
“But football is about scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. In the last action, the small details, we were not at our highest level.”