Everton bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park in fitting fashion as Iliman Ndiaye netted twice in a 2-0 win over already-relegated Southampton on Sunday. .
The historic occasion marked the final Premier League game at the “Grand Old Lady” after 133 years of memories, as the club prepares for a move to their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock.
The victory, Everton’s last home match of the season, lifted them to 13th place with 45 points, while Southampton, rooted to the bottom of the table, remained on 12 points from 37 games.
Tears and cheers echoed through the ground as the Everton players were introduced on a deeply sentimental afternoon.
It didn’t take long for the atmosphere to erupt, just under six minutes in, Iliman Ndiaye ignited celebrations with a sublime finish.
> “It took Ndiaye less than six minutes to spark bedlam when he took the ball on the half-turn before driving towards goal and curling a shot into the bottom corner.”
The Senegalese forward doubled his tally in first-half stoppage time, capping off a well-crafted move.
The 25-year-old Senegal international completed his double in first-half injury time when James Garner played a ball through two defenders and Ndiaye beat goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with a dummy and then tapped into the empty net.
With Everton legends like Tim Cahill, Wayne Rooney, and Duncan Ferguson in attendance, the Toffees put on a dominant display.
Southampton offered little resistance, and the scoreline could have been even more emphatic, Beto had two goals disallowed for offside.
On this unforgettable day, Iliman Ndiaye etched his name into the club’s lore:
Iliman Ndiaye was the final goal scorer at Goodison Park.
