Premier League

THEY CAME in their blue-clad hordes. A full house inside, over 10,000 outside, just to be there to bid the fondest of farewells to Goodison Park.The streets around the Grand Old Lady had been crammed for hours before the noon kick-off.Iliman Ndiaye fires Everton into the leadCredit: ReutersThe in-form Ndiaye doubles the Toffees’ advantageCredit: PAEverywhere there were flares. And tears, of course.There were bound to be tears – and not brought on by the blue smoke that drifted around – as all the memories of dads, grandads, sons, daughters and grandmas flooded the atmosphere.Even the Toffee Lady was there, a pretty young fan complete with pure white head dress, a modern reincarnation of Mary Bushell, who handed the sweets out to supporters on match day, She was the daughter of Old Ma Bushell who in the 1890s ran the nearby Ye Ancient Everton Toffee house and why the club is called The Toffees to this day even if the tradition is no more.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFor this bittersweet goodbye there was Wayne Rooney, born and brought up a Blue and one of the greatest ever to be spawned at Goodison, smiling in the main stand, blue scarf around his neck, joined by other legends, like iconic ex-player and manager Joe Royle, Phil Jagielka, Andy Gray…Another, Peter Reid, a member of the last title-winning Everton side of 1987 two years after the same triumph, stressed: “Listen, this is the best place in the world with the best people in the world.“You can’t beat it. Very emotional to be honest, mind you I have had a shandy!”Present, naturally, was also the manager who named Everton “The People’s Club” in his first spell, David Moyes standing on the touchline still blown by the farewell that began building at 8am in the terraced streets that surround the stadium.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEverton fans said farewell to their historic homeCredit: GettyGoodison Park will no longer host men’s team matches next seasonCredit: AFPThis was the 2,971st game at Goodison before the move to Bramley-Moore Dock, the £800million new home now branded the Hill Dickinson stadium as part of a £10m year naming rights deal.Just a few months ago there were fears that the last-ever game might be more like a wake – for he replaced Sean Dyche with the side a point above the drop zone and locked in a third successive relegation battle.David Moyes post match press conference, Chelsea vs EvertonA battle that many of the supporters who cried and laughed and cheered as Iliman Ndiaye produced a first-half double against Southampton, guests who remained very much in the kitchen at this giant party, believed could this time not be won.Moyes, himself in his second life as boss having first left for Manchester United after 11 years in charge to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson, was as emotional as anybody, his rescue mission completed weeks before.The 62-year-old declared: “The welcome was amazing, the streets all blue, really really special even if, yes, it’s a sad day leaving this place too.”He produced a fine gesture to mark the occasion, allowing veteran Seamus Coleman to lead the team out as club captain in the absence of hamstrung team skipper James Tarkowski.Sadly for the Irishman, granted a new contract at the age of 36, he lasted only 18 minutes, forced off with an ankle injury to be replaced by a full-back three years older than him in Ashley Young who was playing his last game at Goodison.Moyes was able to afford Coleman that special moment because of passionate performances like the one that marked a 29th defeat of what, for Saints, has been a funeral procession of a season.He stressed: “If you’d come to me when I got here and said that we would be hosting Southampton and already be safe I would have taken it.“I’m just so happy that we are in this situation now, for these fans, for this club. Everton fans are different, this club is different – you can only know what it’s really like when you are inside it.”Ndiaye celebrates in front of a jubilant Goodison crowdCredit: PAThe Toffees easily beat already relegated SouthamptonCredit: PAThe last capacity crowd of 39,201 at Goodison forgot those years around kick-off time and erupted with joy inside six minutes as Ndiaye waltzed through the Saints defence to plant a hit shot into Aaron Ramsdale’s right hand corner.Sixty seconds into time added on he did so again, the winger granted the freedom of Goodison by visitors who were always only going to be making up the numbers.The old ground isn’t being demolished now, the Toffees women’s side moving in, 133 years of history continuing at what Moyes says is an “iconic” landmark on the Merseyside skyline and relieved that it will remain standing.Yet most of those who streamed out at the end, more tears streaming down many of their faces, won’t be back, that shiny new 52,888-seater waiting to welcome them next season.But as goodbyes go, this was the grandest of goodbyes to the Grand Old Lady.Read More on The SunSome of the football from the bye-bye Blues who did their club proud after Moyes’ return wasn’t bad either.But it was the day, the last lingering looks, the last memories, the last win, some of the emotion too much for some at the end of it, that those fans took away with them as forever Evertonians. 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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