In a poignant and triumphant finale, Everton marked the end of an era at Goodison Park with a 2-0 victory over Southampton on May 18, 2025, in their final men’s match at the historic stadium. Iliman Ndiaye’s brace ensured the Toffees signed off from their 133-year-old home in style, as fans filled the stands with scarves, tears, and songs, celebrating the legacy of the Grand Old Lady before the club’s move to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock next season.
The match, steeped in emotion, began with a dream start for Everton. Just six minutes in, Ndiaye ignited the crowd, skipping past defenders to the edge of the box and guiding a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner. The roar that followed set the tone for a dominant first half. Ndiaye struck again before the break, capitalizing on a flowing move orchestrated by Dwight McNeil, whose assist allowed the forward to slot home his second. A potential third goal from Beto was disallowed for offside, but Everton’s 2-0 lead at halftime felt like a fitting tribute to the occasion.
Southampton, already relegated and languishing at the bottom of the Premier League, struggled to respond. Despite a brief spell of possession in the second half, their hopes were dashed by Jordan Pickford’s stunning reflex save to deny Cameron Archer’s close-range effort in the 84th minute. The visitors’ lackluster performance was epitomized by missed opportunities, with Charly Alcaraz failing to capitalize on a promising break and substitute Jay Robinson unable to spark a comeback.
Everton’s manager, David Moyes, who returned to the club in January, had emphasized the need to focus on the game amid the emotional weight of the day. His side delivered, with standout performances from Ndiaye, McNeil, and Vitaliy Mykolenko, who earned provisional bonus points for their contributions. The match saw injury concerns, however, as captain Seamus Coleman was forced off early and Jarrad Branthwaite made way for Michael Keane, who may have played his final game for the club. Substitutions, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure, brought cheers from the crowd, with Doucoure’s exit particularly emotional given his history of pivotal goals at Goodison.
The atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting for club legends like Kevin Campbell and holding up scarves in a moving display of devotion. The post-match closing ceremony, featuring former players and a parade, amplified the sentiment, as supporters lingered to savor the final moments in a stadium that has hosted countless memories since 1892. While Everton’s women’s team will take over Goodison next season, making it the largest venue dedicated to women’s football in the UK, the men’s departure marked the end of a storied chapter.
Southampton, despite avoiding Derby County’s record-low points tally with a recent draw against Manchester City, offered little resistance. Their two victories over Everton earlier this season, in the league and Carabao Cup, felt like distant memories as the Toffees dominated. Betting odds had favored Everton, with predictions of a win to nil proving accurate, as Southampton failed to register a shot on target until late in the game.