Everton squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with relegated Ipswich Town in an emotional Premier League encounter at Goodison Park, marking the final traditional 3pm kick-off at the historic stadium. The result left Everton fans disappointed as David Moyes’ side failed to secure a victory in their second-to-last match at the Grand Old Lady before the club’s move to the new Everton Stadium next season.
The Toffees started brightly, taking the lead in the 26th minute when Beto rose highest to head in a pinpoint cross from Carlos Alcaraz. Nine minutes later, Dwight McNeil doubled Everton’s advantage with a stunning 25-yard strike that swerved past Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer, marking his 21st Premier League goal—all scored with his left foot, setting a new record for the competition.
However, Ipswich, despite their relegation confirmed the previous week, refused to roll over. Julio Enciso pulled one back just before half-time with a goal-of-the-season contender—a 30-yard rocket that flew past Jordan Pickford into the top corner, reinvigorating the Tractor Boys. The second half saw Everton struggle to maintain their intensity, and with 82 minutes on the clock, substitute George Hirst leveled the score, heading in a precise cross from Omari Hutchinson to silence the Goodison faithful.
Everton pushed for a late winner, but a combination of wasteful finishing and resolute defending from Ipswich ensured the points were shared. The match statistics reflected a closely contested affair, with Everton holding 57% possession but Ipswich edging the shot count (12 to 8) and shots on target (5 to 3).
Moyes, in his second stint as Everton manager, expressed mixed feelings post-match: “We started brilliantly and should’ve been out of sight, but we let them back in. It’s a point, but it feels like a loss given how we controlled the first half.” The draw moves Everton to 13th in the Premier League table with 39 points, while Ipswich remain 18th with 22 points, playing for pride in their final matches.
Notable performances included McNeil, who was a constant threat until fading late, and Enciso, whose wondergoal earned him man-of-the-match plaudits from many observers. Everton’s defensive lapses, particularly Vitaliy Mykolenko’s struggles with crosses, were costly, while Ipswich’s resilience under Kieran McKenna was commendable despite their injury-hit squad.
The match carried added significance as Everton prepare to bid farewell to Goodison Park, their home for 133 years. With only one game left at the iconic venue—against relegated Southampton on May 18—fans had hoped for a memorable send-off. Instead, the draw underscored Everton’s recent struggles, with just one win in their last 10 games and no home victory in three months.