Everton signed off at Goodison Park with a rip-roaring victory over relegated Southampton, marking a historic and unforgettable day for Blues across Merseyside and beyond.
Everton-1
With no hyperbole, the emotion was palpable as the Premier League match entered the dying embers.
It was an emotional farewell, one which was always going to end with three points for the hosts. It was Southampton, but it could have been anyone unfortunate enough to be swallowed into the noisy sea of Everton support.
Everton say goodbye to Goodison Park
The Toffees have weathered some storms in recent years, and no mistake, but with David Moyes back at the helm, there's something cyclical about this change of scenery.
Everton Goodison Farewell
It's a new beginning, but one which shouldn't see the club lose their sense of place, nor their deep-rooted 'Evertonism' as they finally close the door at Goodison Park for the final time.
And what a send-off. The fans were out in force, and so too were some club legends and former icons. Tim Cahill, Peter Reid and Graeme Sharp were all there as special guests, as was Wayne Rooney.
Rooney might not have played the prime years of his career out on Merseyside, but he was reared in the city and raised to the professional level by Moyes before signing for Manchester United in a £30m deal, aged 18.
One of the Premier League's superstars, Everton may well have found their new version of the Three Lions legend, and he took centre-stage on Sunday.
Everton's new Wayne Rooney
Moyes elevated numerous players when he replaced Sean Dyche at the helm in January, and while this could be said for Iliman Ndiaye, the Senegal international had proved the bright spark for the Merseysiders across the first half of the season.
Iliman Ndiaye scores for Everton
Signed from Marseille for £15m last summer, Ndiaye has been a pillar of strength for Everton throughout the campaign, and while he's the top scorer with nine goals from just 28 starting appearances, his slickness and thrilling movements suggest he could become a talisman in the mould of Rooney, one who could actually devote some of their finest years to the club.
Rooney's capacity to excite, especially in his earlier iterations, was something that differentiated him from other talented up-and-comers.
Though Ndiaye is 25, he bears a likeness to the English great in this regard, as evidenced by his underlying data this term. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 20% of positional peers in the Premier League for goals, the top 17% for pass completion, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 1% for ball recoveries per 90.
A ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by a player.
There's certainly a spring in his step. Ndiaye has been hailed for his ability to produce "magic" moments by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson, and if Moyes and the owners can get it right in the transfer market this summer, there's every chance he could hit the next level in his development and truly establish himself as one of the country's heaviest hitters.
Wayne Rooney - Senior Career by Club
Club
Man United
Everton
D.C. United
Derby County
Stats via Transfermarkt
Were Everton to end up selling their silky star, he would also fetch a large transfer fee, like Rooney. Whichever angle you look at it from, Moyes has hit the absolute jackpot with this one, and must ensure he retains his services for the upcoming campaign at the least.
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