Iliman Ndiaye scored the final goals at Goodison Park as Everton ended 133 years of history with a fitting 2-0 victory over a poor Southampton side.
Nottingham Forest’s Horace Pike was the first to score at the ground back in September 1892, while Fred Geary scored Everton's first goal in a 2-2 draw. However, Senegal's Ndiaye had the last word in this historic match.
The 2,791st men's senior game at Goodison Park was a celebratory event from start to finish as fans bid farewell to the old stadium in preparation for the team's move to Bramley-Moore Dock.
Although Everton's women's team will take over the stadium next season, as the new owners The Friedkin Group decided not to demolish the historic venue, this match marked the final packed house at Goodison Park.
Despite the 39,201 fans in attendance, many more supporters gathered outside the stadium with blue smoke and pyrotechnics to commemorate the occasion. Tickets were reportedly being resold for over £1,000, creating chaos around the ground.
The crowded streets caused logistical issues and disrupted the planned arrival of the team bus. Nonetheless, the fans eventually made their way into the stadium to experience the electric atmosphere.
Amidst a parade around the pitch featuring club legends, the kickoff was met with deafening cheers from the fans, making it one of the loudest moments in the stadium's history.
The on-field action was overshadowed by the historic significance of the occasion. However, the match did not disappoint, with Ndiaye scoring a remarkable goal just six minutes into the game.
Captain Seamus Coleman made a brief return from injury before being substituted after 18 minutes. The 37-year-old is among 14 players whose contracts are expiring, but he has been assured of staying with the club next season.
Beto had two goals disallowed for offside, while Ndiaye sealed the win with his 11th goal of the season in added time, showcasing his prowess in front of goal.
As the match concluded, fans sang in unison, but there was no storybook ending with one final goal in front of the Gwladys Street End.