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JUST WHAT THE DOCK ORDERED

Daily Express

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August 25, 2025

There were happy faces everywhere as the sun shone on a full house and the Blues won... it was the perfect start for Everton's new home

- BY CHRIS MCKENNA

DAVID MOYES said he wants to build a team that keeps Everton fans in love with their new stadium.

This was a good start. The Toffees kicked off life at Hill Dickinson Stadium with a win thanks to goals from Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner.

While there was also a penalty save from keeper Jordan Pickford to deny Brighton's Danny Welbeck on a brilliant day for the Blues.

The sun was out as they got underway in this £750million arena and the players shined bright to get their first three points of the season against the Seagulls, who have just one point from two games.

Ndiaye saw off Goodison Park with a brace and he got the historic moment here.

It was 133 years to the day that the ribbon was cut on Goodison Park in 1892.

Everton fans waited eight years for this stunning new stadium to be built but far longer for it to come to fruition after numerous failed attempts to move on from the Grand Old Lady.

The Z-Cars tune carried well here and the fireworks turned the scene a tinge of blue as the players emerged for the momentous occasion.

Everton's new home was well and truly opened.

Now they have the fancy-looking structure but they need to make sure they bring good football to match it on the pitch.

Everton defender James Tarkowski tried his best to gift Brighton a chance to upset the big day as he made a mess of a long ball before Kaoru Mitoma hit the bar. Welbeck had a great chance as well which he squandered from the edge of the six-yard box.

Tarkowski would later put the ball on a plate for Matt O'Riley but Pickford spared his blushes with a fine save.

Everton were in front by that stage. A superb move started by Ndiaye saw summer signings Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish link up.

The latter drilled the ball across and Ndiaye stuck out a leg to score in the 23rd minute.

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