Goodison Park said farewell to Premier League football as Everton beat Southampton 2-0 on Sunday on an emotional occasion.
Iliman Ndiaye struck twice in the first half to secure the victory as David Moyes’ side made sure the home fans got the win they wanted as wild celebrations greeted the final whistle.
WATCH — Watch full replay
After 133 years Goodison Park will no longer be the home of Everton’s men team as the clubs opens a new stadium next season — though their women’s side has been announced as the new tenants so the stadium will continue.
With the win Everton move on to 45 points, while Southampton remain on 12 points.
Farewell full of hope
Everton won with minimum fuss against a very poor Southampton side on Sunday and even though it was an emotional occasion thinking about the past at the famous old stadium, there is so much to look forward to for Everton. The men’s team are moving to a wonderful new stadium, the Friedkin Group have decided to keep Goodison Park going for the women’s team and there is plenty on the pitch to be hopeful about if you are an Everton fan. There is the nucleus of a very good team who could challenge for Europe next season under David Moyes and given their newfound financial stability and a natural overhaul of the squad happening this summer with several players out of contract, they can build a very good team very quickly at Everton. A top 10 finish has to be the minimum aim at Everton for next season but there’s no denying that the aim for Moyes will be exactly the same as his first sting in charge of the Toffees: to disrupt the big boys and push for Europe. They can do it. This farewell to Goodison was fitting but it was also full of hope for what the future brings for this famous football club.
Everton vs Southampton player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Everton travel to Newcastle on Sunday, May 25. Southampton host Arsenal on the final day of the season.
How to watch Everton vs Southampton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7am ET Sunday
Venue: Goodison Park — Walton
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live online via NBC.com
Everton vs Southampton score: 2-0
Ndiaye 6', 45+2'
Everton vs Southampton live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Stewart heads wide
Smallbone whips in a cross and Stewart flicks a header towards goal but it’s just over. Southampton have had all of the chances in the final 25 minutes.
Pickford saves, then Smallbone hits the post
Archer denied by Pickford superbly, then Smallbone hits the post on the rebound. Saints close to scoring a late goal.
Ross Stewart denied by Pickford
The sub almost scores right away. A poor pass is latched on to by Stewart and his low shot is saved well by Pickford.
Triple sub for Saints
Archer, Stewart and Smallbone are on for Saints with Wood, Aribo and Sulemana off.
Beto heads over!
Young’s cross from the right is headed over by Beto. He’s come close again. Saints having plenty of possession in this second half, but Everton look so dangerous on the counter.
Ndiaye is played in and rounds Ramsdale and dinks home — Everton 2-0 Southampton
That is so poor defensively from Everton. But the loose ball finds its way to Ndiaye and he rounds Ramsdale calmly and slots home. Quick VAR check for offside but the goal stands. Everton cruising.
Beto heads home but he’s offside, again!
A few moments after going too early and finishing from an offside position, Everton play some fantastic one-touch football and whip in a delicious cross which Beto heads home superbly. But he’s offside again. The Toffees are pushing hard for a second. Saints can’t get out of their own half.
Coleman forced off
Everton captain Seamus Coleman is forced off with an injury. The Everton legend looked to have rolled his ankle and can’t continue. Ashley Young is on his place as Coleman gets a standing ovation.
Iliman Ndiaye smashes home! — Everton 1-0 Southampton
A loose ball falls to Iliman Ndiaye and he does superbly to control it, dribble towards goal and curl home. Everton lead early and Goodison is rocking.
Great save from Ramsdale!
Mykolenko’s shot is deflected towards goal and Beto gets a shot off but Aaron Ramsdale pulls off a superb save from close range. What a stop from the Southampton goalkeeper.
Everton lineup
Pickford; Coleman, O’Brien, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; McNeil, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto
Southampton lineup
Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Stephens; Bree, Downes, Aribo, Welington; Dibling, Fernandes, Sulemana
Everton team news, focus
OUT: James Tarkowski (thigh), Jesper Lindstrom (groin), Orel Mangala (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Jake O’Brien (undisclosed)
Southampton team news, focus
QUESTIONABLE: Kyle Walker-Peters (illness)
Everton vs Southampton prediction
Forget the occasion — the Toffees are more solid than Saints, who struggle to keep teams off the scoreboard even if they did just that to Manchester City. Saints will fight hard here but come up just short. Everton 2-1 Southampton.
Everton vs Southampton preview
Everton cannot finish higher than 13th this season, but manager David Moyes has the Toffees pointed upward and is a fitting boss to be in the manager’s seat for the final Goodison game. Both Everton and Southampton hope to end their Premier League seasons on positive notes. Saints are coming off a surprising point against Manchester City that guaranteed they won’t produce the lowest single-season points total in Premier League history.
Interim boss Simon Rusk’s boys know they’ll finish in 20th and are playing to keep interest at Southampton or gain interest from clubs that will be in the Premier League next season.
