The dawn of a new chapter at Everton’s state-of-the-art Bramley-Moore Dock stadium has been marked by a surge of optimism, and at the heart of this excitement is Jack Grealish, the 29-year-old midfielder on loan from Manchester City. In a whirlwind start to the 2025-26 Premier League season, Grealish has quickly become the darling of Everton’s passionate fanbase, his flair and infectious enthusiasm breathing life into a club eager to reclaim its place among England’s elite. With back-to-back victories without conceding, including a 2-0 triumph over Brighton and a commanding win against Mansfield Town under the floodlights, Everton’s new home is already shaping up to be a fortress. Grealish’s pivotal role in these early successes has fans chanting “Super Jack Grealish” and dreaming of a prosperous era under David Moyes’ second tenure.
Grealish’s impact was immediate in Everton’s historic opener at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where over 50,000 supporters gathered to celebrate the club’s departure from Goodison Park after 133 years. Just 23 minutes into the Brighton match, Grealish showcased the audacious dribbling that once made him a £100 million star, weaving past Mats Wieffer and delivering a pinpoint cross for Iliman Ndiaye to score. “Brilliant, brilliant day,” Grealish beamed post-match, his smile as wide as the River Mersey. “We were saying before the game that we wanted to put on a show for the fans. For the club itself, it was a big day coming into the new stadium. It was the perfect day.” His two assists in that game, followed by another standout performance against Mansfield, have cemented his status as a talisman for a team desperate for inspiration after years of financial and footballing struggles.
The former Aston Villa captain, who joined Manchester City in 2021, had found himself on the fringes at the Etihad, overshadowed by stars like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. His loan move to Everton, orchestrated by Moyes, has given him a chance to rediscover the joy that defined his early career. “For me, it is just as important,” Grealish said of his assists, reflecting on lessons learned from Kevin De Bruyne. “Assisting is just as good as scoring, in my own opinion. Providing the assist for your team-mates is a special feeling.” His ability to take on defenders, coupled with his down-to-earth charm, has reignited the spark that made him a fan favourite during England’s Euro 2020 campaign, where he famously declared, “I try to get fans off their seats.”
Moyes, whose return to Everton feels “written in the stars,” has praised Grealish’s transformative presence. “Someone will be standing here interviewing a manager here in 100 years’ time. We’ll be well gone, but we started it off today,” Moyes said, envisioning a lasting legacy. Grealish’s flair, reminiscent of his days terrorizing defences at Villa, has brought a buzz to the stands, with fans audibly gasping each time he takes possession. His substitution against Mansfield, replaced by £40 million debutant Tyler Dibling, prompted roars of appreciation, a stark contrast to the boos he once faced as a rival at Goodison. Social media posts have echoed this sentiment, with one fan noting, “The baller in you never leaves you,” celebrating his seamless return to form.
Despite teething issues at the new stadium, such as digital ticket glitches, Everton’s early success—unbeaten and yet to concede—signals a team finding its rhythm. Grealish, aiming to reclaim his England spot for the 2026 World Cup, is thriving under the freedom Moyes grants him. “When I’m here, all I want to do is do good things for this club,” he vowed, a promise he’s already fulfilling. As Everton eye further signings before the transfer window closes, Grealish’s early heroics suggest he could be the catalyst for a revival, turning Bramley-Moore Dock into a cauldron of hope and ambition.
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