"A 2-0 win over Brighton did not just mark a new chapter in a new home; it felt like a different Everton entirely. Jack Grealish, a summer arrival on loan from Manchester City, and Iliman Ndiaye combined for the stadium's first goal; the team played with freedom and flair and, for the first time in years, fans left the stadium with a feeling of real hope for the season ahead."
"They threw away two-goal leads against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, losing both games 3-2 in defeats that showed their pragmatic setup under Dyche was creaking badly. Even when they did go in front they would drop back and rely on set pieces and long balls, inviting pressure that eventually cracked their resolve. They struggled for goals, scoring just 15 in their first 19 league games, the second lowest tally in the league."
Everton endured multiple seasons of low scoring and attritional home draws, with Goodison Park becoming associated with survival rather than spectacle. A move to a new 800m stadium coincided with an immediate change, including a 2-0 win over Brighton where Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye combined for the stadium's first goal and supporters left feeling hopeful. A subsequent 3-2 victory at Wolves propelled Everton into the Premier League top five. The season began poorly, with four straight defeats and dropped leads against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, exposing defensive and tactical frailties under Dyche. Everton scored only 15 goals in their first 19 league games.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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