Iliman Ndiaye was speaking following Everton's 2-0 win over Southampton
Iliman Ndiaye
Iliman Ndiaye
Iliman Ndiaye scored the last goals at Goodison Park – and then asked the referee for the matchball due to the significance of the occasion. Everton’s men’s team signed off from their famous old ground with a 2-0 win over Southampton.
Supporters flocked to Goodison in their thousands hours before kick-off, packing the streets as they came to say a final farewell. And with less than 10 minutes on the clock, Ndiaye opened the scoring with a fine finish from the edge of the box.
Everton, who also saw Beto have two goals disallowed, dominated from the first whistle, and Ndiaye made it 2-0 when he finished a fine team move in first-half stoppage time.
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“It is very special to score the last goal,” said the goalscoring hero.
“I asked the referee to get the ball. It means a lot and I wanted to score a hat-trick.
“Since the day I came, the fans have been great. The roar was amazing. It is an amazing day. They deserve it.”
Reflecting on the day, Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who took over the captain's armband after Seamus Coleman went off injured, said: “We needed a win. Ili scored two great goals.
“It’s the last game at Goodison Park and will take some time to soak in.
“We would have liked to have scored four or five. We will go down in history as the last team to win at Goodison. That is what the manager asked of us. The fans have been brilliant.
“Really proud moment to wear the armband. I am gutted Seamus was injured. What a legend and character he is around the place. He drives everyone forward with all the players.”