Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford gestures to the crowd after the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday May 18, 2025.
New England manager Thomas Tuchel was one of the several non-Everton figures who offered their best wishes alongside Blues legends on the Goodison Park big screen in between the final whistle and the End of an Era ceremony, but it’s to be hoped that the German gaffer was paying close attention to Jordan Pickford’s display.
Like all the best goalkeepers, Pickford was able to pull off some incredible saves, despite being untested for long periods and when Southampton suddenly sprang into life in the latter stages, he was as alert as ever to ensure he bowed out at the Grand Old Lady with a clean sheet.
Moments after coming off the bench, Ross Stewart managed to shrug off Jarrad Branthwaite – no mean feat – but despite the ball hitting the back of the net looking like the most likely outcome, Pickford parried his effort around the post.
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The best was yet to come though, as another Saints substitute Cameron Archer hit a rasping drive only for Pickford to beat it away and playfully stick out his tongue in relief as the cameras panned on him.
The man who has won all 75 of his caps for the Three Lions while at Everton was going head-to-head against one of his international understudies Aaron Ramsdale, but while the former Arsenal goalkeeper has been a decent Premier League performer for several year now, in reality it’s been no contest.
Tuchel got to see another pretender to Pickford’s throne, Dean Henderson up close the day before in the FA Cup final and although he was a Crystal Palace hero as he saved a penalty to help the Eagles lift their first major trophy, the wilder elements of his game were also on display as he dropped a cross over the line to concede a corner kick and then was fortunate to escape a sending off when handling outside his area.
Arguably, no player has done more individually than Pickford in recent seasons when it comes to ensuring that Everton depart Goodison Park as a Premier League club, so it was also fitting that he wore the armband as they finished at their home of the past 133 years.
The 31-year-old should remain one of the main men for both club and country next season as the Blues usher in a new era.
Captain Coleman
Typically selfless, when asked how he was when interviewed on the pitch during the End of an Era ceremony following the final whistle, Seamus Coleman insisted he was “alright” and that today was all about the team.
Making his first start since the chastening 3-2 collapse against Bournemouth on August 31, the 36-year-old’s comeback lasted barely 18 minutes but as the man who has turned out more times in the Premier League than any other player, after leading out Everton in their final fixture at Goodison Park – and winning the toss – he had done his job.
Unfortunately, the Blues were unable to add to their tally in the second half, so on-loan Ipswich Town player Julio Enciso retains the accolade of being the last player to score in front of the Gwladys Street and to be fair to the Paraguay international, it was quite the hit.
Coleman replaced a stalwart Tony Hibbert, the outfielder who played the most matches (328) for Everton without hitting the net, and coming through at a time when full-back play was evolving, has scored 28 times in his 428 games, including a screamer from an acute angle in front of the stand that housed the Blues’ most vociferous supporters, against Leeds United a couple of years ago.
David Moyes has said how he needs Coleman next season and it’s understood that his playing contract will be retained.
Just how much of we’ll see from the man from Killbegs on the pitch at Hill Dickinson Stadium remains to be seen but while his manager acknowledged Everton legends are usually those who win trophies, he’d still consider Coleman to be one of the modern age.
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Moyes will want to have Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman and two-goal hero Iliman Ndiaye alongside him next season when Everton relocate to the Mersey waterfront but how many of the rest of the current crop will still be there?
The Blues passed on their opportunity to extend Abdoulaye Doucoure’s current contract by a further year and while the 32-year-old told a fan channel last week that he was expecting a new deal to be coming his way from the club in the coming days, the tears he shed when being substituted in the second half appeared to be the hallmark of goodbye.
Doucoure has been a regular in the side for the majority of his five-year stay on Merseyside but given some of the other comments he has made of late, it remains unclear whether he’d be prepared to accept reduced terms and what might be a more bit-part role.
Idrissa Gueye is at an even more advanced stage of his career but shows no signs of slowing down just yet, could he be one of the wise old heads for Everton to build a new-look team around?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin looked set for the exit door but perhaps a lack of enticing offers elsewhere could persuade him to extend his stay on Merseyside? Michael Keane could also be calling time on his Blues career after eight years’ service but as a model pro, he’d offer a useful option if prepared to continue in the squad role he’s filled for the last three seasons.
Then there are the loan men. Moyes is understood to like Jack Harrison’s work ethic but in truth both he and fellow wide man Jesper Lindstrom have not produced the numbers required in the final third.
Orel Mangala fell victim to injury soon after the Scot’s return while Armando Broja never really got going. There are lots of questions still to answer as the squad is revamped.