Goodison, it’s been a pleasure – the legendary stadium bids farewell after 133 years

All of Liverpool was blue yesterday. And not because of the match. Or, as Phil Jagielka put it during the BBC broadcast, “It’s five minutes until kickoff, and we haven’t even mentioned the game.”

Because yesterday, Everton played their final match at their legendary stadium. The oldest stadium in the Premier League, built in 1892. After more than a century, the Toffees are moving. Not far—just about two and a half kilometers away—but it will be a new stadium, and, as the saying goes, it won’t have the soul that warms "Goodison Park."

The match against Southampton, which had no competitive significance for either side, was the least important thing today. The only stat worth noting is that it was Everton’s 2,789th match at Goodison. And with today’s 1–0 victory, they leave their home with a record of 1,538 wins, 660 draws, and 591 losses.

Before kickoff, rivers of people flowed toward Goodison from all directions. Blue smoke bombs surrounded the stadium so thickly that players had to enter through alternate routes, not the usual entrances. Around the pitch, before the first whistle, 80 former Everton players walked by and greeted the fans. Everything was symbolic, tinged with farewell.

“Everything’s been incredible—from the welcome on the streets to arriving at the stadium. This is a special day. Now we have to focus on the game, win it, and send everyone home in good spirits,” said David Moyes before kickoff. And indeed, Everton came at the Saints like a storm from the first second. In the fifth minute, Southampton’s goalkeeper saved a big chance, but in the next one, he was beaten. Iliman Ndiaye weaved through the defense, set himself up on his left foot, and placed it right inside the post.

The Toffees kept pressing like the points still mattered. They simply wanted their farewell party to end with a win—to be recorded in history that Everton left their home with a victory. After several missed chances, they got their second goal in the final minute of the first half—again through Ndiaye, who will forever remember that he scored the last ever goal for Everton at Goodison Park.

What will happen to Everton’s century-old home? According to English media, it won’t be torn down, nor will it be turned into a housing complex like Arsenal’s old Highbury. Goodison will remain a football venue—but for women’s football.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 37

Friday

Aston Villa - Tottenham 2-0 (0-0)

/Konsa 59, Kamara 73/

Chelsea - Manchester United 1-0 (0-0)

/Cucurella 71/

Sunday

Everton - Southampton 2-0 (2-0)

/Ndiaye 6, 45+2/

West Ham - Nottingham Forest 1-2 (0-1)

/Bowen 86 - Gibbs-White 11, Milenkovic 61/

Brentford - Fulham 2-3 (2-1)

/Mbeumo 22, Wissa 43 - Jimenez 16, Cairney 68, Wilson 70/

Leicester - Ipswich 2-0 (1-0)

/Vardy 28, McAteer 69/

Arsenal - Newcastle 1-0 (0-0)

/Rice 55/

Monday

22.00: (2.75) Brighton (3.50) Liverpool (2.50)

Tuesday

22.00: (2.30) Crystal Palace (3.35) Wolverhampton (3.15)

22.00: (1.55) Man.City (4.20) Bournemouth (5.90)

***odds are subject to change***