Premier League

EMOTIONAL Everton fans packed the streets to say goodbye to Goodison Park after 133 years. The Toffees will move into their new ground next season with Goodison downsizing to be used for the women’s team.Everton prepare for their last match at Goodison ParkCredit: GettyEverton fans packed the streets to say goodbye to Goodison ParkCredit: EPAFlares and flags filled the Merseyside airCredit: PAThousands lined the streetsCredit: GettyHoards of fans flooded the streets around Goodison ParkAnd the Everton faithful turned out in full force to see off their iconic stadium ahead of Southampton’s lunchtime trip. Goodison Road was a see of blue, with flares being set off and flags flying high in the Merseyside air.The ground is not gone forever, though – instead being repurposed with the men’s team moving to the new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, officially named the Hill Dickinson Stadium.Goodison Park was first opened in 1892 and has a capacity of 39,572.READ MORE IN football But that is set to be reduced as multiple parts will be reconfigured.This will be done by reducing the number of seats in each row in order to add space.Everton’s women’s team currently has an average attendance of 2,062 at their current home of Walton Hall Park.The club has offered season ticket holders and hospitality members the chance to buy the seat that was theirs for this season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt would act as a souvenir of the historic stadium following Sunday’s home match against Southampton.Everton legends including Wayne Rooney and Phil Jagielka took to the field before the game to pay tribute. 10,000 attend test event at Everton’s new stadiumJagielka, who spent 12 years at the club, said: “We’re forgetting there’s a kick-off and there’s a game in a few minutes, but this is amazing and it’s only going to get more emotional as the day goes on.”The new £802million, 52,888-capacity stadium which opens in August will be called the Hill Dickinson Stadium.It comes after the Liverpool-based law firm were unveiled as the naming rights partner for the waterside venue.The Toffees have already held test events at the Dock venue, which they will use from next season.That included an Under-18s match against Wigan in February.David Moyes first took charge at Goodison in 2002 and spent 11 years at the club before moving to Manchester United. And he returned to Merseyside in January after replacing Sean Dyche – with the club now sitting 13th. Moyes said: “It was amazing, the welcome on the streets, it really was special.”But I have to say the day itself will be really important but what we have to focus on now is making sure we get the win and sending everyone off in the right frame of mind.”Everton bowed out of Goodison in style after beating rock-bottom Southampton 2-0 thanks to a Iliman Ndiaye double. Read More on The SunThe Toffees also appeared to wave goodbye to midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure – whose contract expires at the end of the season.Doucoure received widespread applause after coming off following the hour mark – gesturing back to the fans too. It was a send off to rememberCredit: GettyMerseyside was a sea of blueCredit: GettyEverton legends including Wayne Rooney and Phil Jagielka took to the fieldRooney was all smiles on the Goodison turfCredit: GettyIliman Ndiaye was Everton’s last scorer at GoodisonCredit: ReutersAbdoulaye Doucoure appeared to wave goodbye to fansCredit: Getty More

WILL STILL has reportedly landed a job offer from a Premier League club after leaving RC Lens.The manager announced he would be leaving the Ligue 1 side following their final game of the season.Will Still is in advanced talks with a Premier League clubCredit: Shutterstock EditorialHe left RC Lens to spend more time with partner Emma SaundersCredit: Instagram / @wrstillStill, 32, admitted that he would be returning to England in order to spend more time with his partner Emma Saunders.The Sky Sports presenter has been battling health issues over the last year.Still will now be able to be close by after leaving the French club.Reports have now claimed that he will not be out of work for long.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Independent have claimed that Southampton have already approached the manager.The Premier League side, for now, are said to be “advanced talks” with Still over the job.The Saints are a top-flight club for two more games which come against Everton and Southampton.However, after a shocking season the south coast club will be dropping back into the Championship.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSSouthampton’s relegation was confirmed back on April 6 following their 3-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.The club has been through two managers as both Russell Martin and Ivan Juric were hit with the axe.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsRussell Martin was sacked back in DecemberCredit: GettyThe club was relegated under Ivan JuricCredit: GettyStill is a free agent, having announced his exit from RC Lens just one season into a three-year deal.His partner Emma has battled both thyroid cancer and a brain infection called encephalitis over the last year.This has led to Still to make the decision to come back to England and spend more time with her.L’Equipe has reported that coaching in England has been a “long dream” for Still.It has been suggested that he turned down Rangers in Scotland but has interest from Hull City.He has previously admitted that West Ham would be a dream job as a childhood fan of the club.Still’s parting message to RC LensHere is what Will Still told RC Lens fans about his decision to leave…He said: “I won’t be the coach of RC Lens next season.”It was the last season at Bollaert, for multiple reasons.”The main reason that pushed me to make this decision is the fact that I need to go home.”Everyone is well aware of what happened in my life. That’s why.”I had a lot of fun, I think we achieved great things despite everything. I’ve been in France for four years, four years that I’ve experienced intense moments.”The logical choice is that I get closer to my wife for her well-being too.” More

LUCAS PAQUETA is getting ill and feeling stressed by the delay to his spot-fixing probe.And West Ham boss Graham Potter wants the FA to resolve his case before next season so the club know if he will be part of a rebuild.Graham Potter claims Lucas Paqueta’s spot-fixing probe is making the West Ham star illCredit: GettyPotter wants the issue resolved quicklyCredit: GettyIn May 2024, the Brazilian playmaker, 27, was charged with four counts of spot-fixing and two of obstructing an FA investigation.This followed allegations he intentionally got a yellow card for betting purposes in four Prem games between November 2022 and August 2023.The club say they have NO idea when the findings of this will be revealed, so do not know if he will be banned for life or found not guilty.Being in limbo is taking its toll on Paqueta, who denies any wrongdoing, and he broke down in tears of frustration after being booked in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham on May 4.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLToday’s clash against seventh-placed Nottingham Forest is the Hammers’ final home match of the season and it could be the last time he ever dons the claret-and-blue colours.He was an unused sub against Manchester United last week with a  cold.Potter said: “The week he had was  particularly tough  for him personally, which I think everybody can  understand.“And then, as a result of that, he was feeling under the weather on the day before the game at Manchester United and during the game.Most read in Football“So I didn’t want to risk him and make it worse for him. But he’s trained really well, he wants to be part of the team to help and we’ll see how to use him for the weekend.”When he broke down in tears against Spurs, wife Duda Fournier took to Instagram to express her concerns about her husband’s mental state.West Ham star Lucas Paqueta charged with betting breachesShe said: “My husband has a posture and a strength that I admire and impresses me. We have been living this nightmare for two years.”Asked if the situation was taking  its toll on Paqueta, Potter replied: “Obviously, you know what it’s like, sometimes you are in stress and  pressure, it can manifest itself in a different way.”Asked if he wants clarity by the start of next season, Potter said: “For everybody concerned, yes. The sooner the better for everyone.“In fairness to Lucas, he’s handled it brilliantly. Generally he’s come in and conducted himself in a really good way. He’s just ready to help the team.“I think coming into work is a  distraction for him. It takes his mind off things.“For me, I’m just there to support him, the same with his team-mates.”The FA declined to comment when approached by SunSport.It will be an emotional afternoon in East London also for the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings.The quartet, who were part of the 2023  Conference League-winning squad, have not been offered new contracts and will leave this summer.Czech defender Coufal, 32, joined in 2020 from Slavia Prague.And in a message to Hammers fans, he said: “I knew that once this time would come but I could not imagine how emotional it would be for me and my family.“I can say with all honesty in my heart that I enjoyed every minute of being at West Ham. I am taking a lot of unforgettable memories with me.” Yet there are NO guarantees any of them will play a role today and be given a proper send-off as Potter is eyeing up a possible 13th-place finish.Read More on The SunHe added: “There’s a lot at stake in the Premier League in terms of our points and what Forest are fighting for, so we have to make sure we pick the right team to try to win.“Of course, emotion is always part of football so that can help. But we have to make the decision based on everything to try to win.” More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE is ready to back Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United revival — but wants assurances he definitely wants to stay.United’s part-owner is keen to support his boss in the summer transfer market.Sir Jim Ratcliffe watched Man Utd lose 1-0 at Chelsea on FridayCredit: GettyRuben Amorim has struggled for wins since joining Man UtdCredit: AlamyBut Amorim’s mixed messages have left Ratcliffe fearing the Portuguese could decide the rebuilding job is too much for him.Amorim last week revealed he may be forced to step aside nearly seven months after succeeding sacked Erik ten Hag.He said: “It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave because we will not have a next season like this.“If we start like this, if the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different people.”READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSYet in the build-up to Friday night’s 1-0 defeat against Chelsea, Amorim insisted that he would not be quitting.SunSport understands Ratcliffe remains concerned the former Sporting Lisbon boss may decide enough is enough after a campaign of chaos in which he said he blames himself for creating what he described as United’s “worst team in history”.Ratcliffe sees in Amorim a similar kind of character to himself — the kind of loose cannon who turned his Ineos company into a global petrochemical giant and became a billionaire.But he wants to know for sure that the manager will at least see out the remaining two years of his contract — instead of leaving United in an even deeper mess.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThere are concerns that even gaining a Champions League place by triumphing in Wednesday’s Europa League final with Tottenham in Spain may not be enough to prevent the Portuguese chief from walking away.He has already stated that playing among Europe’s elite next season may be too much for a squad he said “don’t fear” losing any more.Wayne Rooney names three players Man Utd should sign this summer including transfer for iconic former starThat followed last week’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham at Old Trafford.Since completing his £1.3billion investment into the Red Devils for a 27.7 per cent stake 15 months ago, Ratcliffe has overseen some brutal cost–cutting at the club.Up to 450 jobs could be lost and so savage are the cuts that Amorim is paying for 30 members of his backroom staff to go to the Bilbao final.Ratcliffe had even warned that United’s finances were so bad that the club was in danger of going bust.But money will be found to fund the proposed £60m signing of attacker Matheus Cunha from Wolves — with Ipswich forward Liam Delap also a £30m target.The club also want a new goalkeeper and another defender.Meanwhile, homegrown stars like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo could be sold to raise around £100m, with several other squad players also set to be ditched to raise more cash.Read More on The SunAmorim will be allowed a major say by Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox on who stays, who goes and what new talent will be brought in.Only, however, if he convinces them that he is prepared to stay for the long haul — as opposed to leaving them looking for a third new manager in just under a year.Man Utd ratings v Chelsea More