It has been an emotional day for Everton fans today, with Goodison Park hosting its final game against Southampton.
The Toffees will no longer play their games at the Grand Old Lady, with Everton signing off with a 2-0 win over Southampton.
Iliman Ndiaye was the final goalscorer, as he bagged a brace. Really, the only negative of the game was the fact Seamus Coleman was forced off early with a thigh injury.
But Everton fans chanted for Coleman and then gave him a standing ovation as he left the action, something he undoubtedly deserved for his amazing service over the years.
Many Everton legends watched on today and then took to the pitch after the game as part of the farewell show.
It’s been a day filled with emotion, and many supporters will greatly miss Goodison Park and all the memories they have of one of English football’s most iconic grounds.
Moyes was delighted with his side’s win, but the Scot was also very struck by something about today’s occasion.
David Moyes loved pre-game scenes outside Goodison Park
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
The game may have kicked off at 12pm today, but there has been a buzz around Goodison since very early on today.
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Fans have been determined to be a part of the Goodison farewell, and thousands of supporters were in the streets surrounding the ground prior to kick-off.
Some would never even enter the ground.
But people simply wanted to be there – and Moyes spoke of his delight at the scenes in his post-match press conference earlier today.
He said: “Look, I was worried today. Everybody’s been talking about this game for so long. I have to say, I’m sure you were there, the scenes outside the stadium were incredible, they really were.
“It felt like a club that’s needing some big days, some big things in the future. So let’s hope this is the start of it.”
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Everton fans did themselves proud at Goodison farewell
So Goodison Park will no longer host games for the men’s team, and the women’s team will now use the stadium at a reduced capacity from next season.
Today’s scenes were simply brilliant from start to finish.
Everton fans gave the ground the send-off it deserves, and the pictures of fans lining the streets in their thousands with blue smoke billowing and flags high in the air will long be remembered.
Some are finding it hard to accept that going to games at Goodison is no more.
But the Hill Dickinson Stadium represents a chance to make new memories, and hopefully under The Friedkin Group, Everton will become a force again.