Everton marked the end of an era with a fitting 2-0 victory over Southampton in their final-ever Premier League match at Goodison Park, bringing down the curtain on 133 years at the iconic ground. Iliman Ndiaye made history, scoring both goals to become the last Premier League scorer at the stadium.
In an emotional but sunlit atmosphere, Everton made a fast start. After an early save from Aaron Ramsdale denied Beto, Ndiaye opened the scoring with a calm finish following a slick move, sending the home fans into celebration. Captain Seamus Coleman, likely playing his final game at Goodison, received a heartfelt ovation as he left the pitch injured, handing the armband to Jordan Pickford.
Ndiaye thought he had added more before the break but had two goals ruled out for offside. However, he doubled Everton’s lead just before half-time, rounding Ramsdale after a Southampton mistake and a clever assist from Dwight McNeil.
Despite past collapses from 2-0 leads this season, Everton stayed solid in the second half. Pickford was called into action only once, and while the hoped-for final goal at the Gwladys Street End never came, the mood remained celebratory.
As the final whistle blew, fans said goodbye to a ground that had hosted eight league titles, a World Cup semi-final, and 2,791 senior men’s matches. Everton now look forward to a fresh chapter at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium, hoping it brings the success Goodison once knew.
