This would be the final ever Merseyside Derby played at Goodison Park. For me personally it wouldn’t be the final match I will witness there, but there aren’t many left to get to either.
Floodlights
Ask any Evertonian, and they will tell you, that Goodison Park under the floodlights is something else. Sometimes the place is moody, angry. Other times it’s just magical. Whatever the feeling, there’s just nowhere like it.
The History
On the 13th October 1894, the first Merseyside Derby would be played which resulted in a 3-0 victory for Everton. On the 12th February 2025 the final ever match of it’s kind here finished 2-2 with incredible scenes at the end.
Prior to this final Goodison derby, both Everton and the team from over Stanley Park had one 41 matches each. Whilst the score will forever remain tied, it was still an incredible conclusion to a 130 history here.
Out with the Old, In with the New!
As per the slogan on the latest Forever Everton T-shirts says – Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. It’s time to start thinking about the move to Bramley Moore as an overlap occurs. Like many others we have gone through the process of renewing season tickets at the new complex and you can’t help feel excited about that first match there. We are allowed to enjoy both simultaneously whilst we can.
Creating Memories
In a few months time, Goodison Park will be gone. Last night, at the place many people call home, memories were being formed. Like myself, much was pre-meditated. I chose to take that walk along Goodison Road, older clothes were worn in the expectation to be “Smurfed” by blue smoke, I went out of my way to visit The Winslow and look at the stalls selling merchandise I took photo’s of Goodison Park from angles I had seen before but not properly looked at. Never have I stood around so long just staring.
Outside Goodison Park was exceptionally busy as blues decided to meet the team bus and then linger, rather than move on to a bar or enter the ground. Fans stood holding Pyro’s leaking blue smoke until they entered the ground. Fireworks were being launched from somewhere as everyone brought into this special occasion.
The Final Derby moment at Goodison Park
As a pulsating Merseyside derby entered the 98th minute with fans expecting the final whistle, the most dramatic moment occurred. It was a ball hoisted in high from the left, flicked on to where the ball came to James Tarkowski, He latched on to the ball unleashing a rocket into the Liverpool net. The next few moments were crazy – did that just happen? The corner flag was suddenly in the air as jubilant Everton fans ran onto the pitch.
As the fans briefly settled, the drama continued with VAR insisting on getting involved with seconds turning into minutes as first a possible Offside was checked and then a possible foul. From the Park End I saw David Moyes suddenly clench his fists as he heard the decision, it still took another 20 seconds for the decision to be made clear by Michael Oliver – the goal stood!
Liverpool fans had started seeking revenge for last years damaging defeat at Goodison by singing “We won the league at Goodison Park”, this soon changed to the same lyrics as last season as a dent was made in another Liverpool title challenge.
A steward celebrates with a fan as he leaves Goodison Park
After the match we headed back to The Winslow, not before joining in with many songs inside Goodison. There were cheers and tears on faces as people took in what they had just witnessed. It was an exhausting night emotionally and one which which couldn’t have finished better for an Everton fan.
Memories from last nights match will remain strong for all that were there following a pulsating evening. Memories of great matches and “where were you when…” moments will have been created inside the Goodison cauldron.
With just six Premier League matches left at Goodison Park, many people I am sure will be looking at Goodison Park a little differently on their upcoming visits. Take it all in and enjoy.
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Who are we? Covert Football Trips create Mystery Football Weekends. Choose from 2 or 3 Night experiences which include your flights, accommodation and match tickets. We are a travel agent so your trip is ATOL protected whilst we use our own experience to create amazing weekends.
Choose grounds to avoid, select the dates you want to travel and note the airports you would prefer to fly from and then sit back and let us do all the hard work.
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