Everton said goodbye to Saturday games at Goodison Park with a disappointing 2-2 draw against relegated Ipswich. The match featured two exceptional goals that suited the occasion perfectly.
Regrettably for David Moyes’ team, one of those goals was a spectacular 30-yard strike from Ipswich's Julio Enciso, following a header by Beto and a bending shot from Dwight McNeil which initially put Everton in the lead.
However, George Hirst's equalizer in the 79th minute was not part of the plan.
This marked the final traditional 3pm kick-off in the history of Goodison Park after 133 years of football at the iconic venue. The next match, against Southampton in two weeks, will have a Sunday noon kick-off before the team moves to Bramley-Moore Dock next season.
The match began with ticker tape falling from the top tier of the Main Stand to welcome the teams.
This glitter was reflected in the goals scored by two sides playing for pride. McNeil scored a brilliant goal, his first since September after a long injury layoff, on his 100th appearance for Everton. However, Ensico's excellent strike surpassed it.
This at least gave Ipswich fans something positive to discuss on their 250-mile journey back after avoiding their 22nd defeat of the season.
The atmosphere in the stands before the match, filled with banners and flags honoring Goodison's history, was lifted when Beto scored from Charly Alcaraz's cross in the 26th minute.
He found space too easily between opponents to score his ninth goal of the season, his first in two months.
Ipswich's failure to close down space in front of their penalty area cost them again as McNeil darted in from the right to score a powerful shot that left Alex Palmer stranded.
The celebrations were short-lived just before half-time when Enciso beat Gueye and scored with a well-placed shot that hit the underside of the crossbar on its way in.
On Friday, Moyes had expressed interest in Ipswich's highly sought-after striker Liam Delap. However, the England Under-21 international, substituted after 67 minutes, did not endear himself to Everton supporters with his physical style, receiving boos on a couple of occasions.
Although the prospects of signing Delap look slim at this point, Moyes is planning for the future with Everton comfortably positioned in 13th place.
With 14 players facing contract expirations, either on a permanent basis or loan deals, in the summer, Moyes introduced injury-plagued striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin for his first appearance since January and Leeds' winger Jack Harrison for the last 15 minutes to make an impact.
Before they could make a mark, Hirst outjumped O'Brien to score with a downward header past Pickford.