Game number 2791. The final Everton men’s first team match at the Grand Old Lady. With the announcement this week that the Women will use the stadium moving forward, the game’s significance had been slightly diminished but the history of our team and this stadium needed to be acknowledged and today was the day.
The game against Southampton gave the team the opportunity to solidify their hold on 13th place; ahead of both Tottenham and Manchester United. More importantly, it was a chance for Evertonians to experience the magic of Goodison for one final time.
The big news was the return of the Captain. Seamus Coleman took the armband for one final time at Goodison Park. His playing future is not known but the Irishman was leading the team out today. Jake O’Brien and Iliman Ndiaye returned to the starting 11 but Charly Alcaraz was on the bench.
Southampton had a team.....but who cared who was part of it!
The need for motivation was not necessary but the scenes outside of Goodison were incredible as the team bus arrived. It was estimated that there were ten thousand Evertonians outside the ground who did NOT have a ticket! There was also the arrival of the legends, and there were many, who paraded around the pitch. This was an occasion but there was a match to be played.
Everton FC v Southampton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
The siren blared and the team appeared from the tunnel as Z Cars played for one final time around the iron and wood of the Grand Old Lady. Southampton kicked off with Michael Oliver getting the honour of being the final referee.
Everton were quickly on the front foot but you sensed that Moyes had told them to enjoy the day but don’t let it allow you to lose your head. It was the captain who was the first to put pressure with a cross that was blocked. The resulting corner ended up on the foot of Beto but Ramsdale got down and palmed the ball wide of the post.
The pressure continued and Iliman Ndiaye found some space and he drove into the box and slotted the ball into the corner and the Goodison roof was raised. “Here We Go” was sung with pride and longing by the crowd in blue.
Everton FC v Southampton FC - Premier League Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
At the 17th minute, the Goodison crowd was given the opportunity to say thank you to Seamus Coleman as the captain left the pitch. The challenge that he took before the goal was still affecting him and he was replaced by Ashley Young.
Ndiaye was driving forward again and it was Beto again who could not get his shot on net. The game had slowed down but the possession was firmly in Everton’s favour at nearly 60%. Ramsdale was in a spot of bother when Beto charged down the keeper and blocked the clearance but the Southampton defenders got back to snuff out the chance.
Southampton were under pressure again and another block was recorded when Garner’s shot was stopped. It was then Beto streaking forward and slotting the ball home but he was flagged for offside quickly.
Tottenham Hotspur FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier League Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Incredibly, seconds later Beto had the ball in the net with a beautiful header but the flag was up again. Southampton had taken 37 minutes but they finally held the ball for a couple of minutes. The Goodison crowd hadn’t stopped singing and that was rewarded when Everton sliced through the Southampton backline and Ramsdale could not prevent Iliman Ndiaye from slotting the ball into the net. VAR tried to overturn it but even they could not find a problem with it. It was the last kick of the half.
Everton v Southampton - Premier League - Goodison Park Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images
The sunshine was cracking the flags as the second half kicked off. The pace was slow but when Everton had a couple of early corners, but they couldn’t take advantage. The first real chance fell to Garner who forced a great save from Ramsdale which was then followed by another Beto header that went narrowly over the bar.
Everton were pressing again and Southampton made three switches. Nathan Wood came off for Cameron Archer, Smallbone was on for Aribo and Sulemana departed for Stewart. It was Steward who forced Jordan Pickford to make his first save. Moyes decided to make some changes with Alcaraz and Harrison coming on for Doucoure and McNeil. Doucoure was in tears as he left the pitch with his future uncertain.
Everton FC v Southampton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Moments later, Jarrad Branthwaite pulled up with what looked like a hamstring issue but he stayed on for a couple of minutes before being replaced by Michael Keane. Iliman Ndiaye was withdrawn and another final swan song for Calvert Lewin was given.
A fast break saw Beto chew up the grass and his unselfish pass to Calvert Lewin was brilliantly defended by Cameron Archer. Jordan Pickford definitely wanted a clean sheet and when Southampton packed the box, the England number one made a great reaction save to deny the goal.
As the final five minutes arrived, Southampton were pushing for a goal and the boys in blue looked ready to get on with the after game festivities. James Garner was given a yellow card. Four minutes of added time was announced as the Goodison crowd broke into “Marching Down the Goodison Road” for one final time.
As the final seconds ticked down, the crowd was taking it in and when Michael Oliver blew his whistle the Goodison crowd sang “Grand Old Team” although it was quieter than usual as many fans were more reflective than anything else. A win for the boys in blue as Everton sign off in style.
Everton Player of the Match: Iliman Ndiaye: The final goalscorer takes this one, in fact he scored the last two! His goals showed the quality that he brings to the team. His fast feet and calm finishing was the difference in the game. His departure near the end of the match was met with adulation and hope for the future. Beto brought passion and drive but he could not get the goal that he so desperately wanted.
It was so great to see the many tributes being paid to the Grand Old Lady. The coverage was honourable and reflective and showed the place in the history of the game that our team and this stadium hold. The win was a nice way to finish but it was never about the win, it was about the occasion.
The final match at Goodison was the perfect opportunity for the new owners to make their first appearance at an Everton match but that was not to be. Perhaps there view is that they are the future, rather than the past, and they will turn up at the new stadium when Everton will inevitably play Roma in the last preseason game in August. I am not sure how I feel about them not being at the match but just like the other decisions that they have made, nothing has been haphazard and there must have been some thought in the decision.
I watched the match in Canada with my sister and it was an emotional day. We reminisced and inevitably it turned to our Dad who took us to Goodison when we were younger. I would sit on the bar to see the Holy Trinity grace the pitch. My sister remembered loving Jimmy Husband and going out of her way to meet him. Millions of Evertonians were doing the same thing today and ultimately, it was about family, our Everton family!