Everton vs Southampton

Emotional Farewell to Goodison Park as Everton Host Southampton

This Sunday marks a historic and bittersweet moment for Everton as they play their final match at Goodison Park, their home for 133 years, against Southampton in the Premier League. While no fan wanted this day to come, the occasion will be a heartfelt celebration of the stadium’s legacy—ensuring its spirit lives on in the club’s identity.

Just months ago, Everton’s season seemed in peril, with relegation fears looming. But under David Moyes’ leadership, the team has found renewed resilience, becoming a tough opponent both at home and away in 2025. Though emotions will overshadow the football this weekend, the Toffees remain strong favorites.

A 3-1 comeback victory at Fulham last weekend lifted Everton to 13th, comfortably clear of the relegation scrap—thanks in part to the struggles of the promoted sides. The win was particularly surprising, not just because Fulham had been unbeaten in their last seven meetings and sat higher in the table, but because Everton overturned a deficit to secure all three points.

This victory ended a remarkable drought—it was their first Premier League away win after trailing in over two-and-a-half years, having failed in their previous 27 attempts. Even more notably, it was their first comeback win on the road by a two-goal margin since 2008, during Moyes’ original tenure at the club.

As Goodison prepares for its final chapter, Evertonians will hope for a fitting send-off—one that honors its storied past while looking ahead to a new era.

Everton's 2024-25 season has been a struggle, especially at Goodison Park, where the emotional weight of the stadium’s final season hasn’t translated to results. Your note about their winless run in the last six home matches aligns with the data: Everton’s record at home is grim, with only 4 wins in 18 matches, matching their 21 points at home and away but underperforming in victories compared to their road games (5 wins).

This is a stark contrast to their historical performance, and the prospect of setting a club record for the fewest league wins (currently at 9, per the data, though your mention of 4 might refer to an earlier point in the season or a specific context) is a low point for the Toffees. The 2009 comparison for their home winless streak checks out, as that was the last time Everton endured such a drought at Goodison.

The Southampton match you mentioned highlights another sore spot. That 1-0 loss at St Mary’s was indeed Southampton’s first win of the season, a rare bright spot in their otherwise dismal start (1 win in 23 matches). Everton’s inability to capitalize on Southampton’s early-season woes underscores their broader inconsistency, despite David Moyes’s return.

The balanced home-and-away points (21 each) but better away wins (5 vs. 4) suggest tactical or mental issues at Goodison, where fan expectations and the stadium’s farewell might be adding pressure.

For context, Everton’s stats show 9 wins, 15 draws, and 12 losses in 36 matches, placing them 13th in the Premier League with 39 goals scored and 44 conceded (xG 38.12, xGA 45.49). Their possession (40.6%) and shot creation (378 shots, 132 on target) reflect a team struggling to convert chances, especially at home.