Jack Grealish (£6.5m) provided the inspiration as Everton beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 on Sunday.
We pick out the key takeaways from this match in our next Gameweek 2 Scout Notes piece.
GREALISH SHINES
Jack Grealish was front and centre of Everton’s 2-0 win over Brighton.
The playmaker provided two assists to earn a share of the bonus and 11 points.
He nearly added a third assist, too, only for substitute Dwight McNeil (£5.9m) to miscue his shot from 10 yards out.
Grealish’s impressive performance included three chances created.
He also demonstrated his commitment to Everton’s defensive cause, with 11 defensive contributions (DefCons).
“I felt really good. It was nice. I don’t want to get into like saying I didn’t feel free before, but out there today I could drift, I could do what I want more or less and play with a bit of freedom. Take more risks. I feel like I have done that.” – Jack Grealish
With No 10 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5.0m) frequently drifting to the left to connect with Grealish, 66.7% of the chances created by Everton on Sunday originated from that side of the pitch, compared to just 11.1% on the right.
Above: Everton’s average position map v Brighton, inc Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (22) and Jack Grealish (18)
IS NDIAYE INJURED?
Iliman Ndiaye (£6.5m) was the first scorer at Everton’s new stadium, tapping home Grealish’s low cross.
However, despite a lively display, he was unexpectedly hooked on 63 minutes.
The BBC live commentary (see below) and Liverpool Echo have both suggested he was injured, but we’ve not yet heard anything from the player himself or David Moyes to corroborate that.
We’ll hopefully get an update when Moyes faces the media before Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie against Mansfield Town.
James Garner (£5.0m) powered home the second for Everton.
Elsewhere, Thierno Barry (£6.0m) was preferred to Beto (£5.5m) up top.
Although he didn’t have much joy in front of goal, notably heading a chance over from a Dewsbury-Hall corner, he held the ball up well and likely did enough to secure another start at Molineux next week.
BRIGHTON RUE MISSED CHANCES/WELBECK PEN
Everton were lucky to keep their clean sheet intact on Sunday.
Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m) and Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.5m) both struck the woodwork.
Danny Welbeck (£6.4m) also had a penalty saved by Jordan Pickford (£5.5m), notably when Matt O’Riley (£5.5m) was on the pitch, as Brighton created 2.36 expected goals (xG).
Welbeck had an earlier opportunity, too, which he scooped over the bar from six yards out. The xG figure on that chance was 0.77.
It was supplied by Yankuba Minteh (£6.0m), who caused plenty of problems for Everton’s makeshift left-back Garner.
Indeed, his searing pace helped create four chances for his teammates at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the most of any player. He also racked up 13 penalty box touches, another match-high.
On the DefCon front, Mats Wieffer (£5.0m), James Tarkowski (£5.5m), Michael Keane (£4.5m) and Garner all picked up extra points for their defensive efforts.
Tarkowski is now one of just five defenders to earn DefCon points in each of the first two Gameweeks.
RUTTER INJURY LATEST
Welbeck made his return to Brighton’s starting XI in Gameweek 2, with Georginio Rutter (£6.0m) unexpectedly absent.
Fabian Hurzeler later revealed the Frenchman had picked up a small issue on the eve of the match.
“He had a small issue in training and unfortunately then we had to make the decision. It is only a small issue and he should be back soon.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Georginio Rutter
Carlos Baleba (£5.0m), meanwhile, was withdrawn at half-time for tactical reasons, having suffered a poor opening 45 minutes.
As for Rutter, it sounds like he’ll be back soon, although it is worth noting Brighton are about to embark on a tough run of fixtures right through until the end of October.
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