'We need him to show it more' - David Moyes aiming to bring Jack Grealish back to level of Man City's treble-winning season after Everton new boy marks full debut with two assists

Grealish, making his first start following his loan move from City in the summer, provided both assists as the Toffees downed Brighton 2-0 in their first Premier League match at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium. The 29-year-old picked out Iliman Ndiaye with a brilliant cross for the opener, before putting the ball on a plate for James Garner to drive home the second.

Grealish endured a difficult 2024-25 season with City, making just 20 league appearances, but he looked back to his best after being given the license to create under Everton boss Moyes, who has challenged the England international to carry that same attacking flair into his side's upcoming fixtures.

Speaking after Everton's victory over Brighton, Moyes said: “We all want the Jack Grealish we all know but you don’t play for the club if you haven’t got it and Jack has certainly got it. We need him to show it more.

“He had licence to go at people [against Brighton], he ball-carried and his assists, especially the first one, was a little bit more of what you hope for. I just want Jack to be what he can be. We want him to take people on and be positive.

“I think the boy who we saw playing for Man City in the year they won the treble is a really exciting player and I hope we can get him back.“

Grealish played a key role in helping City become just the second English side to complete the treble in 2022-23, scoring five goals in 50 appearances across all competitions as Pep Guardiola's men lifted the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup titles.

Everton play host to League One side Mansfield Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. The Blues then return to Premier League action when they travel to Wolves on August 30.