Everton vs Brighton - Player Ratings: Grealish and Pickford sublime | OneFootball

Everton began a new era at their new waterfront stadium with a 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday.

Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner headline the scoresheet with fine goals while Jordan Pickford and Jack Grealish stole the show with sublime performances, picking up their first win of the season in front of the nearly 53,000 supporters in attendance.

David Moyes would’ve wanted a stronger response from his side after a tepid showing at Elland Road in their campaign opener, and he got it from his players here.

While the Toffees did ride their luck to protect a one-goal lead at half-time, they were better and more composed in the second half.

Ndiaye wrote his name in the history books once again by being the first to score a goal in an official game at Hill Dickinson Stadium and Garner’s long-distance strike ushered in comfort and stability. Grealish was the provider on both occasions in his first start for the Blues, while Pickford saved a penalty from Danny Welbeck to blow the roof off the stadium late in the game.

Player ratings for Everton in 2-0 win over Brighton:

Jordan Pickford - 9

Jordan Pickford is dynamite! Pickford was at his brilliant best once again as he dove to his left to deny Danny Welbeck from the spot late in the game to protect a clean sheet in his first official start at the new stadium. It was his eighth save from 12 yards since joining Everton in 2017/18. David James (13), Rob Green (9) and Ben Foster (9) are the only Englishmen with more penalty saves in the Premier League than the 31-year-old.

Pickford also produced a great save off Matt O’Riley to prevent James Tarkowski’s blushes after the centre-back made a bizarre back pass late in the first half.

Jake O’Brien - 7

O’Brien had a solid showing here and kept Kaoru Mitoma quiet on the left flank throughout the game. He also had moments to venture forward in the second half and combine with the likes of Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye and Alcaraz.

James Tarkowski - 4

Leading the Blues out onto the pitch for their first official game at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Tarkowski didn't cover himself in glory with his performance. He failed to clear a long ball from the opposition keeper despite being in front of Mitoma, allowing the latter to hit the crossbar with his shot.

He also lost his bearings late in the first half and, under pressure from the Brighton attackers, played a bizarre no-look back pass straight towards Matt O’Riley, but fortunately, Pickford had his back.

Michael Keane - 7

Just like Tarkowski, Keane also didn’t cover himself in glory with the Mitoma chance that struck the crossbar but he had a solid game in defence otherwise. He held the backline steady and shut out half-chances and loose balls.

James Garner - 8

Garner’s thunderstrike from the left created the much-needed cushion of comfort for Everton in the second half. He had yet another solid showing despite being played out of position on the left and defended his flank well. Garner also combined well with Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall and was a threat from set pieces.

Tim Iroegbunam - 8 (subbed off for McNeil at 73’)

Tim Iroegbunam worked hard off the ball and covered almost every blade of grass in this game, leading to his exit with a cramp in the second half. He had a positive moment at the edge of the box in the first half, where he skipped past Ayari and Dunk before unleashing a shot that went just wide off the left post. Iroegbunam also provided seveal interceptions and blocks before recycling possession for his side.

Idrissa Gana Gueye - 7

The veteran midfielder had a good game for the Blues. He struggled physically against Minteh on the right on one occasion, which would’ve resulted in a goal had it not been for Welbeck missing from close range. However, Gueye made up for it with his tenacity in midfield.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 6

Dewsbury-Hall impressed with his ground coverage and work rate. He was found guilty of handling the ball inside his own box despite turning away from the ball late in the second half. The playmaker had a great moment late in the game where he made a 40-yard run before teeing the ball off to McNeil for a shot that went wide.

Iliman Ndiaye - 8 (subbed off for Alcaraz at 64’)

Iliman Ndiaye is a history maker. The last player to score a goal at Goodison Park is now the first to find the back of the net at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Ndiaye started this game on the right with Grealish occupying the left, and his trickery and flair allowed him to find solutions on that flank, which has been a problem position for the Blues for a while.

He got his side’s first shot on target with clever footwork from the right to beat two men and then sent the nearly 53,000 fans in attendance into a frenzy by tapping home Grealish’s cross with a clever run to the back post.

Thierno Barry - 7 (subbed off for Beto at 64’)

Barry didn’t have much joy in front of the goal, but his centre-forward play was a lot more positive than Beto’s last week. Barry utilised his physical prowess to beat the attention of his markers and win the ball before laying it off to his teammates.

That is exactly how the Toffees’ first goal arrived with Barry winning an aerial duel in the middle of the park before releasing it to Ndiaye.

It was a strong and positive show from the 22-year-old Frenchman, and if he continues to impose himself the way he did today, the goals will come soon.

Jack Grealish - 9 (subbed off for Armstrong at 90’)

Grealish brings a kind of assuredness and imagination on the ball that is unmatched. It was his wonderful cross after a successful take-on that allowed Ndiaye to kick off proceedings.

Grealish created three chances from the left on his full debut for the Blues, registering two assists - the same number he had in his last two Premier League campaigns. Besides the deft touches and passes, he also showed graft and constantly tracked back to help Garner.

Substitutions

Beto - 6

Beto had two half-chances in the game, a few minutes after coming on and right at the death, but failed to capitalise on them. He particularly could’ve done better with the rebound that fell to him after McNeil’s attempt, but couldn’t angle his body properly before shooting wide.

Charly Alcaraz - 6

Alcaraz injected pace and energy into the game late on to keep things ticking for Everton.

Dwight McNeil - 5

McNeil found himself with two great opportunities to stretch Everton’s lead but failed to keep his shot on target in his first outing of the season. The first chance was a layoff from Grealish that lacked power, while the second, off a counter-attack led by Dewsbury-Hall, was wide to the right of the frame of goal.

Harrison Armstrong - N/A

Had little to do in the dying embers of the game.

Reader Comments (81)

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Sean Kearns 1 Posted 24/08/2025 at 16:52:10

He hates Newcastle and he hates the shite, Jordan Pickford is dynamite!! 🎶

Some big performances out there today. Gana was massive and deffo 8/10. And a shout out to Michael Keane who got well stuck in and was deffo more than a 6!! I have Keane about an 8 honestly.

Jimmy Garner is a great utility player. Does a 7/10 job anywhere he plays. He gets stuck in and was good in the air today too… Also, Barry deffo did more than Beto does. Both goals started with some tidy touches and link-up play by Bazza.

Mark Andersson 3 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:01:54

Brighton played the better joined-up football. Everton look miles off it. A win is a win though.

Don't know what it was like at the ground but there was no atmosphere watching it on TV.

Phil Smith 4 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:05:48

Sorry, but these ratings are a bit of a joke.

I thought Tim Iroegbunam was excellent today. Unlucky not to grab a goal with some very impressive footwork. Defo 7 or 8 for me.

Dewsbury-Hall was very neat and kept things ticking in midfield. Unlucky with the penalty call. Gana was also very good. Garner scored a great goal, but was lucky a few times he didn't cost us.

Tarkowski looked a bit off it, but a 4?!?

5 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:08:15

Pleased with the result, although, we did ride our luck at times.

I thought Garner and Keane deserve a call out with goals and some solid defending. Grealish a great target man and great assists, Ndaiye a great goalwith some good footwork.

Tarkowski had a few scares but overall comfortable. Pickford reliable as ever.

Dave Hutchinson 6 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:13:18

We all see it differently; I thought Tim was one of our better players. Excellent defensively and also looked great driving into space with the ball at his feet.

I would have had him as an 8.

Jeff Armstrong 7 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:18:54

Irogbunam was very good as people have alluded to, not sure what game Anjishnu was watching.

Christy Ring 8 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:19:46

I thought Tim was excellent today as was Gueye, Dewsbury-Hall was definitely more than a 5.

Sean #1: ‘Keane was definitely more than a 6', that's why he got a 7!

Neil Cremin 9 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:21:05

I also thought Tim was outstanding and should have had an 8. Gana and Dewsbury-Hall also were better than these ratings

Certainly don't agree with Pickford's rating. Yes, he get huge credit for guessing correctly in saving the poorly taken penalty but, on general play, his saves were what I would expect any competent keeper to make.

Where I have an issue with the rating is for his terrible distribution which put us under unnecessary pressure. Did he not learn anything from Monday night???

Annika Herbert 10 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:21:24

Can't agree with the Iroegbunam rating. He was far better than a 6

Ian Bennett 11 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:22:00

Anjishnu Roy, sorry but you need a drug test if youre giving Gana a 6. He bossed the midfield to such an extent, £100M valued Baleba was subbed. For all round display, he was my MotM.

Those scores you've allocated are a joke. Tarkowski a 4? Are you watching the game or using a magic eight ball?

Poor.

Robert Tressell 12 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:29:06

Well done, Everton – a fitting win in a magnificent stadium. What an occasion.

It's taken a long time to get here but we've done it. The future will be better than the shit recently served up.

Pleased for Moyes. He's got his pros and cons but I expect we'll look back over his second tenure and conclude he got a lot of it right. It's a tough job integrating a lot of new players (which sort of includes people like Iroegbunam) and none of this will be plain sailing.

But well done Grealish too. Hard to judge where he's at but, if he keeps this up, we could be in for a really good season.

Andrew Merrick 13 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:35:37

Haha, we are debating player ratings for fun, life's so much better after a win! :)

Neil Lawson 14 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:37:45

Perhaps we should have "contributor ratings"?

I will get a 9 for good grammar and spelling but only a 5 for content.

Jay Harris 15 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:44:29

Roy,

I don't know which game you watched but Barry was worse than Beto's worst game and Iroegbunam was much more like a 6 or 7.

Barry can't head a ball and is slower than Beto, so I think you got the scores the wrong way round there.

I do think Tarkowski was poor today and Keane had one of his best games for us.

We rode our luck a little bit today but goals win games and keeping a clean sheet is paramount. Well done, Blues and David Moyes.

Can't wait to get 2 decent full-backs in and Jarrad back. Wouldn't mind Vardy for half a game too.

Andrew Merrick 16 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:44:46

BBC get it about right, bullet points and ratings spot on...

Mike Allison 17 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:55:14

Couldn't watch in any format today but so pleased to see people praising Iroegbunam.

I think we've got a real good one there and hope he gets a run in the side now.

Frank Worrall 18 Posted 24/08/2025 at 17:57:29

Strange, isn't it? Not long ago Keane was almost out on his ear, yet now he is as solid as a rock in the heart of the defence!

Big Jake was, as usual, brilliant in a position which he does not prefer, as was the indefatigable Gueye. Collectively a huge all-round, improvement after the last match, and which should continue once the injured players return and new arrivals get bedded in.

Phil Roberts 19 Posted 24/08/2025 at 18:06:33

Gueye was perhaps MotM.

Anthony Flack 20 Posted 24/08/2025 at 18:17:50

Daft ratings, sorry! Was it AI or just someone not there?

5 for Dewsbury-Hall... joking!4 for Tarkowski... crazy.

Anyway, great day — and what a stadium!

Les Callan 21 Posted 24/08/2025 at 18:32:43

Mark. Unbelievable comment re atmosphere.

It was electric throughout.

Gerry Quinn 22 Posted 24/08/2025 at 18:47:24

Jack Grealish had two assists for Everton today - as many as he managed in total across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Premier League campaigns for Manchester City (2 in 40 games).

Good job, Jacko!

Andy Crooks 23 Posted 24/08/2025 at 19:27:19

Nice article, Anjishnu.

Duncan McDine 24 Posted 24/08/2025 at 19:37:40

There's a feeling that you can't really describe when you watch a top class footballer play for your team. I'd almost forgotten that feeling.

Mark (3) – I think you had the wrong channel on your telly.

Dan Nulty 25 Posted 24/08/2025 at 19:46:42

Weird how we all see and hear things differently. I wish I was there today, I thought it sounded great, especially after the first couple of minutes when Grealish was working hard to win the ball back and got the crowd going.

Tim was decent at times, I'm not convinced though. I thought Gana was excellent, immense. Reading of the game is brilliant.

Dewsbury-Hall was mixed but as he pushed towards Grealish it made me realise how much we have missed having players able to keep the ball. Once him, Jack amd Iliman get into a rhythm and understanding, I think they will cause teams so many problems.

Barry being judged harshly by some, it was very rare he was being given the ball with anyone near him to lay it off to or flick it on. Did really well for the first goal and I think will get better as he gains confidence.

Desperate for full backs unless Aznou turns out to be brilliant. Minteh and Mitoma caused us loads of problems today and we were lucky that Brighton didn't make the most of that advantage.

Win's a win, clean sheet and some promise. i can see Dewsbury-Hall dropping back to No 8 instead of Tim and Ndiaye starting at No 10 with Dibling on the right eventually. Exciting with good players to come off the bench for a change.

I can imagine we will take a punt on another Chelsea unwanted on deadline day. We need a right-back at least desperately though.

Bill Gienapp 26 Posted 24/08/2025 at 19:47:00

Felt a bit bad for Coleman. I assumed half the reason he extended for one more year was so he could feature in this match, but he didn't even get a few ceremonial minutes at the end. Makes me wonder what the point of him still being active is, especially since we don't even have a healthy right-back at the moment.

Re: the atmosphere on TV, it ebbed and flowed once the match settled down, but you could tell Ndiaye's goal absolutely blew the roof off.

Raymond Fox 27 Posted 24/08/2025 at 19:59:29

Those ratings are out of the beano.

Mark Taylor 28 Posted 24/08/2025 at 20:13:51

I guess ratings will always be talking points but I think are midfield collectively deserved better than the scores given and Jimmy G was definitely not our best defender- that might have been Michael Keane. I concur with Dan, on TV as well as live, it was pretty obvious Minteh had him on toast. Not his fault though, he isn't a left back or even left footed.

Tarks was a bit better after the break but the first half was so woeful, it probably deserved a 4. He doesn't look fully fit.

I noted a few of them- Jake, Jack notably- looked like they were feeling knocks at the end of the game. God knows what we can get out for Mansfield, especially in defence. Under 21's?

Jonathan Tasker 29 Posted 24/08/2025 at 20:16:50

Kdh is the new Alan BallGrealish was fantastic Tim played well

Les Callan 30 Posted 24/08/2025 at 20:23:13

Mark@3. Being reported by Luca Chianti ( whoever he is ), that the noise level in the second half today measured 126 decibels which is the fifth higher noise level ever recorded at a football ground ever recorded anywhere.

Mike Morgan 31 Posted 24/08/2025 at 20:25:00

I thought Ndiaye was great on the right. It's where he plays for his Country. It allows Grealish to play on the left. If fit thesr two must play. If we sign Dibling where would he play ? It would give us depth but we arent at the stage where we can afford £40 M sitting on the bench. Surely £20 x2 would get us a good Right Back and a good Left back. This would give us a much more robust squad.

Bill Fairfield 32 Posted 24/08/2025 at 21:10:17

Jordan and Jack superb today. But I’am giving my mom to our goalie who kept us in this game.

Robert Williams 33 Posted 24/08/2025 at 21:10:47

Do we know the official attendance?

Dave Abrahams 34 Posted 24/08/2025 at 21:17:42

Les (30) I was there today and, like many, I was at the Bayern Munich game, I don’t think the Bayern game was measured for noise otherwise it might have been higher than any other, it was definitely, for me, higher than today’s game.

Was there more fans at today’s game than the Munich one— or the other way round?

Andy Crooks 35 Posted 24/08/2025 at 21:31:39

Well played, Jonathan Tasker.

Ian Bennett 36 Posted 24/08/2025 at 21:34:40

Attendance: 51,759

There was two large areas where seats looked free. Level with the 18 yard box on both sides. Same vs Roma.

Mike Morgan 37 Posted 24/08/2025 at 21:44:38

I thought Ndiaye was great on the right. It's where he plays for his Country. It allows Grealish to play on the left. If fit thesr two must play. If we sign Dibling where would he play ? It would give us depth but we arent at the stage where we can afford £40 M sitting on the bench. Surely £20 x2 would get us a good Right Back and a good Left back. This would give us a much more robust squad.

Jeff Armstrong 38 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:06:18

There was a massive unattended area in the west stand today, must have been 70/80 seats in one section, cannot understand this as club where posting it was a sellout, and yet a whole group of seats empty.I was in East stand so not sure if same on my side, but wtf?, lots of corporate seats empty too, at least they have the cameras facing the East stand, the West Stand was empty until 10 minutes into the second half, a la Wembley or Emirates and Emptyhad, why wasn’t the attendance 52,000 + ? As EFC where posting as a sellout, 1000 empty seats, not good for members desperate for a chance of a ticket.

Tommy Carter 39 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:16:42

On a day full of positives I have to say the rating of 7 given for Thierno Barry is extremely generous. Anything more than 2/10 would be.

Mark Murphy 40 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:16:49

Just got home (I actually live near Brighton) after the most wonderful day!Someone asked about the atmosphere?Absolutely ELECTRIC and the NOISE!!!I had tears in my eyes for most of the first half and at the end.We are Home!

Christine Foster 41 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:24:25

If Popeye ever played football, he'd look like Jack Grealish. He got "muscles on his muscles" that lad. Opens defences up like a can opener... all that before breakfast!He's class, way above anything we have and I don't think he is even near match fit. His workrate is excellent, tracking back and covering the defence but going forward his quality is at another level to what we have.A good win but we were so lucky in the first half, Brighton hit the woodwork twice and it's clear that no matter how manually Garner and O'Brien tried, they are poor substitutes for a pair of quality fullback. Tarkowski had a mare, one to forget. Pickford went the right way with the penalty and saved well (another bad decision by a ref) Otherwise just watching it was superb, could not hear the crowd much until the goals and penalty save but I think that was dependent on tv coverage. All in all, 3 points, but more importantly the first PL win at our new home. I bet there wasn't a single complaint about the post match walk home!

Jeff Armstrong 42 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:24:29

Tommy, I thought Barry got better as the game went on, he was involved in the second goal and he started winning headers, my issue is that he’s so similar to Beto, not great recruitment, but give the lad a chance, he was easily a 6/10

Mark Murphy 43 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:28:13

Christine, the noise as the teams emerged and when the crowd got going was absolutely incredible!I’ve never heard anything like it.

Mike Gaynes 44 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:29:02

Tommy 39, two out of 10? So you’re giving Barry one point for each of the goals he helped initiate?

Christine Foster 45 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:31:28

Bill 32# "But I’am giving my mom to our goalie who kept us in this game."That's very generous of you Bill, are you sure your mom would be thankful?

Duncan McDine 46 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:32:22

Come on Tommy Fleetwood 💙

Tommy Carter 47 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:38:54

@44 Mike

He was abysmal. And my prediction right here now is that he will score less than 5 goals for Everton this season. And that’s a £30 odd million striker.

Andrew Merrick 48 Posted 24/08/2025 at 22:47:50

Full backs are definitely our biggest need, but should we take Dibling, oh yes..Squad building was and is essential to our development and progress, this has to include a bench, rotation, afcon, injuries and one day a manager who can make real time tweaks to his tactics.The sooner we have all these elements in place the better.So made up with the result today, but in my head I wondered "what if "when our goal frame was rattled...But we have written a great footnote in our new stadium diary, so good to be blue tonight

John Raftery 49 Posted 24/08/2025 at 23:35:49

An interesting set of ratings.

Mike Gaynes 50 Posted 24/08/2025 at 00:02:28

Murph, I’m very happy for you, and the rest of the day one contingent at Hill Dickinson. What a special memory to cherish for the rest of your days.

Paul Kossoff 51 Posted 25/08/2025 at 00:18:58

Capacity 52, 888, reduced for fan segregation. 52,769, attendance today 51,759.As the great Rory Gallagher sang, What's going on?

Ashley Krotosky 52 Posted 25/08/2025 at 00:30:15

Yes we do need a RW, however... that was some performance on the right by Iliman today; certainly the position seemed well covered.

I am guessing that TD will be starting a fair few games coming off the bench in the early weeks, -assuming no injuries.

All of which makes me wonder how Monday at Leeds might have gone had we today's this line up.

Andrew James 53 Posted 25/08/2025 at 01:00:43

A damning rating of Barry who I thought led the line well. He's a target man and will hopefully be the battering ram for our smaller more technical players to play off.

Beto needs to get a move on because if Barry were to start scoring the odd goal and the wingers and midfielders score, he won't get a start unless it's in the League Cup.

John Pendleton 54 Posted 25/08/2025 at 01:12:52

Dave 34

I too was at Bayern Munich. The official attendance was, cough, cough, 49k ish but the attendance figures in those days were regarded as a standing joke as all crushed attendees knew they were dangerously underestimated (tax, income, profit dodge?)

Not there today but if the noise matched Tricky Trev’s third I’d be mightily impressed.

Mike Powell 55 Posted 25/08/2025 at 01:13:37

Grealish and Pickford outstanding KDH Ndaiya Keane all played well, negatives Tarky and Tim, Barry got better as game went on, but great win COYB

Si Cooper 56 Posted 25/08/2025 at 01:18:08

Only real issue I had with Thierno today was the amount of times he completely misjudged where the ball was going to drop which meant some of the balls played for him to compete for looked far worse than they actually were.

Not sure what was wrong. I’ve seen he is a glasses wearer but have no idea what the eyesight problem might be. Is it possible he left his contact lenses (if he wears them when playing) at home and so had problems tracking the flight?

When he actually did take the ball, his ability to move the ball without it getting too far from his foot seemed much better than Beto is generally capable of.

Still miles away from the silky touch of Grealish who has the magical invisible 30 cm ‘tether’ that the very best have.

Mike (55), you seem to be in the minority tonight if you think Tim’s performance was poor overall.

Bob Parrington 57 Posted 25/08/2025 at 01:56:24

Good to have a win at our new home. Some excellent individual performances and a couple of very ordinary ones, too. One observation was that we seemed to not close them down well enough when they had the ball and approaching the middle area of the pitch. Could have cost us dearly.

What is the issue with the bleedin' referees and penalties that should never have been awarded???? They owe us 2 in our favour after only 2 games OMG!

Lester Yip 58 Posted 25/08/2025 at 02:34:57

Glad that we have Pickford. He's kept us in the game.Grealish is the player makes me stand every time he gets the ball (the other is Rodriguez). His composure and control of the ball, just a class above.

Barry will improve as he adapts to the pace and physical aspect of the game. His touch is better than Beto. But Beto still has a job to do especially for teams playing a high line. He's good at running behind and 1v1. And also we need cover.

Derek Thomas 59 Posted 25/08/2025 at 02:40:53

It's officially a click driven site, Anjishnu's idiosyncratic player ratings *Moneyball-esque click and finger point* gets clicks

We take the win and work on the squad.

How was the getting in and the getting out?

Eric Myles 60 Posted 25/08/2025 at 03:22:48

Grealish was frustrating me until the first goal. He had acres of space down the left but kept cutting right into the congested centre of the pitch.

Watching it in a bar in Pattaya I told Pickford low and left, glad he heard me, and my jumping up and down screaming "fuck you ref, fuck you VAR" had heads turning.

We had some dodgy moments but luck was on our side this time.

Did anyone else think that their Japanese player handled the ball twice at the time his shot hit the crossbar? Me and my mate (neutral) both thought he did but not a mention of it from the commentators.

Eric Myles 61 Posted 25/08/2025 at 03:49:19

Lot of praise for the guy here but when I go to MKs match report the first post is.

"Iregbenaum is absolute garbage, offers literally nothing other than height."

Matt Traynor 62 Posted 25/08/2025 at 04:30:38

On crowd noise, I was watching the Sky feed, but for whatever reason my volume was lower than I wanted. The commentators did reference the noise though after the first goal.

Re the 1,000 empty seats - just my supposition, but I read somewhere that people who'd booked tables were struggling to sell seats at face value, also I wonder if the other premium packages being sold were over-priced for the first game? They probably couldn't do last minute discounts as they'd already sold some. I looked on Seat Unique for game in October I will be back for in case I can't get a ticket via other channels, and prices are from £149 (before fees). I suspect these prices will find their level as the season progresses.

On the match I thought we rode our luck - on another day Brighton would've scored 3 or 4. I thought Keane played well, particularly some of his long passing to Ndiaye which he did at least twice. Tarks did look off it a bit, but not as bad as some are making out.

Side note to the editors of the site - can you update your database and remove players images who've moved on? Banner image of DCL for me just now!

Lester Yip 63 Posted 25/08/2025 at 04:52:52

Eric, Grealish is right footed. He'll drift in, pick a pass or shoot. That's why we really need Myko to come back to over lap to provide the width. We'll see more 2v1, 3v2 on the left side as Grealish magnetised to suck everyone in.

Watch the far post.

Eric Myles 64 Posted 25/08/2025 at 05:04:36

I get that Grealish is right footed Lester, but it just seemed a waste of width him coming inside when he can hit the ball with his left foot as the first goal showed.

Alan J Thompson 65 Posted 25/08/2025 at 05:47:37

Looking at the photo at the top of this piece does anyone know what Grealish and Keane are looking at, both look agog.

Ian Jones 66 Posted 25/08/2025 at 06:51:34

Eric @61, that comment about Tim was made prior to the match.

Pre match comments sometimes age well.

Mike Allison 67 Posted 25/08/2025 at 07:46:46

I assume they’re looking at the big screen waiting for a replay or to see if there’s a VAR check.

I said before the game that I rate Iroegbunam and hope he starts to convince others - what do I win?

Pete Neilson 68 Posted 25/08/2025 at 08:14:43

Cracking result, good atmosphere and it’ll get better. Even Sandhills station worked like a dream (for us anyway). I thought we deserved it, Brighton had chances but didn’t take them, we’ve had plenty of days like that. Mansfield under the lights, can’t wait.

Jeff Spiers 69 Posted 25/08/2025 at 09:15:08

Alan@65. I can only guess they where watching the replay on the big screen

Alastair Donaldson 70 Posted 25/08/2025 at 09:52:21

Good to see the same referee Kavanagh screwing Fulham yesterday on two penalty decisions, what consistency!!! The handball yesterday was not a penalty in my view; it was far too close with no intent to block using the arm. Thankfully Pickford is the outstanding penalty stopper.

My "criticism" of Grealish at City and particularly for England was turning inside too much and not taking the ball to the goal line for a left footed cross as a traditional winger might.. it's ok if someone else is doing that consistently but it narrows the game otherwise. It's a balance though which the right formation and players around him will be needed. What a player though.

Anjishnu Roy 71 Posted 25/08/2025 at 10:00:53

I rewatched the game again this morning and I agree with most of you pointing out the same, I was rather unfair to Iroegbunam and Gueye yesterday. Have upgraded their ratings from 6 to 8 and from 6 to 7, respectively.

I missed instances of their off-ball work and defensive coverage while evaluating the score, apologies!

Kevin Naylor 72 Posted 25/08/2025 at 10:16:30

Great weekend and Tommy Fleetwood (who I believe is a blue) finally won his first PGA title at the 164th attempt. Maybe the tide (blue) is turning.

Mark Dunford 73 Posted 25/08/2025 at 10:29:45

I'd strongly recommend dropping the player ratings. Nothing gained from these and it is just a cheap, silly way of exercising critical judgement to stimulate debate. A player may be good and bad in the same game.

Grealish looked great, Pickford remains great and both Barry and especially KDH looked promising. Tarkowski is coming back from injury and leading a ramshackle defence with has conceded one goal - a dodgy penalty - in two games.

I was also at Goodison for the Bayern game. As well as, the 5-0 over Man Utd and various other high and low points which I won't dwell.

Bernard Dooley 74 Posted 25/08/2025 at 11:34:23

So is Gary Carter related to Tommy Carter ?Gary does not like Tim even before the match is played and Tommy does not like Thiero Barry who actually played quite well.Hard lads these two whoever they are.

Colin Malone 75 Posted 25/08/2025 at 12:03:43

Gana. Excellent. Tim. Work rate off the ball, very good, needs to move more off the ball, during possession, tends to stand still but very good.GREALISH FOR ENGLAND, SUPERB.

Steve Brown 76 Posted 25/08/2025 at 13:32:15

Anishjnu pens an interesting article on the player ratings – always contentious – then gets pelters for it. We are not paying for the service the ToffeeWeb owners provide, in case some of you have forgotten.

Too many articles – complain, not enough articles – complain, don't like the tone – AI, not enough depth – clickbait. Honestly, stop the endless moaning.

And yes, Tarkowski was a fucking 4. He almost gave goals to Mitoma and O'Riley in the first half. Michael Keane was as good as he was bad.

Jake FitzGerald 77 Posted 25/08/2025 at 13:43:50

Well said, Steve.

Michael Bennet 78 Posted 25/08/2025 at 14:01:24

Geoff Armstrong,

I was in the West Stand in one of the lounges and there the staff were only given iPads for ordering a few days before and they struggled to get the meals and drinks out to the tables.

Not their fault though, there was loads of staff, that wasn't a problem. So at half-time they got to grips with it and buried us in drinks and all the Blues next to us carried on drinking and missed the kick-off.

That will be the reason for the empty seats, but what a day — that first impression will stay with me for ever.

Michael Bennet 79 Posted 25/08/2025 at 14:08:24

I second that steve, he stunk the place out, everyone around me said the same, everyone had different opinions on KDH though.

Brian Wilkinson 80 Posted 25/08/2025 at 14:37:34

Keane has been solid towards end of last season, pre season and both games he has started this season, but I just tip the scales in Pickfords favour for man of the match, vital saves to keep us ahead, but hard not to give most of the players it today.

Deffo need a striker coming in before next week.

Joe McMahon 81 Posted 25/08/2025 at 14:50:12

Correct Steve, James Tarkowski often gets a free pass, and Micheal Kean often gets slated. This was also observed by another poster last year (may have been Danny?).

The Tarkowski back pass yesterday was unforgivable, and we were lucky to get away with it.

We are getting some coverage and all good. Tried to book a stadium tour on my Birthday in September, all sold out.