David Moyes expressed pride in his Everton players after their 2-0 victory over Brighton, but the manager stressed that improvements are still needed if the Toffees are to climb the Premier League table.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Moyes hailed the win in the club’s new stadium and emphasised the difficulty of facing Fabian Hürzeler’s side.
“Very proud. I think everyone who manages against Brighton will tell you how hard it is to play against them and it was the same again today in the new stadium.” — David Moyes, Sky Sports
Goals, Spirit and Grealish’s Impact
Moyes singled out James Garner’s strike for praise, noting the midfielder’s versatility and technical ability:
“[Garner’s] got the ability to shoot like he did do. It’s a good strike. He’s a midfield player playing out of position. It’s a good goal.”
On Iliman Ndiaye and new signing Jack Grealish linking up for the first time, Moyes was cautiously optimistic:
“Jack has got a couple of assists today and Iliman has a goal. We need to score more goals. One thing I don’t want to lose is the spirit on the pitch. We want more flair and quality.”
Pickford’s Save a Turning Point
The Everton boss admitted that Jordan Pickford’s penalty stop from Danny Welbeck was decisive:
“It was a huge save by Jordan because they were the stronger team. If they’d scored, it would have been a tough 20 minutes.” — David Moyes
Brighton enjoyed more possession (57%) and a higher xG (2.46 to Everton’s 1.84), but Everton’s efficiency in the final third and Pickford’s big moment made the difference.
Match Stats — Everton vs Brighton
| Stat | Everton | Brighton |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 43% | 57% |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.84 | 2.46 |
| Total Shots | 11 | 13 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 4 |
| Big Chances | 2 | 3 |
| Hit Woodwork | 0 | 2 |
| Passes | 357 | 476 |
| Fouls | 7 | 15 |
source: sofascore match data – 24 August 2025
The numbers underline Hürzeler’s frustration: Brighton controlled possession and fashioned more high-quality opportunities, but Everton’s efficiency and Pickford’s penalty save made the difference.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William:
“Moyes struck the right balance — proud of the win but realistic about where Everton need to improve. Flair and quality are not words you usually associate with Moyes, but he knows Grealish and Ndiaye can provide that.”
“This win is a foundation. Pickford’s save, Grealish’s creativity, and Garner’s strike gave Everton the edge. But Moyes is already demanding more, which is the sign of a manager planning for the long haul.”
Key Insights
- Moyes proud of Everton’s 2-0 win but wants “more flair and quality”.
- Praised James Garner’s goal and Ndiaye–Grealish link-up.
- Jordan Pickford’s penalty save was described as “huge”.
- Moyes praised atmosphere at new stadium but wants it to grow.
- Confirmed Everton still want to do more transfer business.
What’s Next for Everton?
Everton now look to build momentum after their first league win of the season. Moyes will expect continued growth from his new attacking trio, while fans will eagerly watch the final days of the transfer window for reinforcements.
With a tricky run of fixtures ahead, consistency will be key. For Moyes, combining Everton’s spirit with the “flair and quality” he craves could define their season.
Can Moyes’ Everton find the balance between grit and flair this season?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 24 Aug 2025 16:39
Very lucky to get that win against Brighton.
By JamesLove 24 Aug 2025 17:28
Could go both ways tbh
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