New Delhi: In all the chatter around off the field controversies, the trial of the century, Manchester City’s recent slump or even the great form of Liverpool and Chelsea, one of the most important stories of the season has taken a backseat. While it may not be as eye-catching as the events mentioned, it is easily one of the most gut wrenching stories of Premier League football as Everton say goodbye to the Goodison Park at the end of the season.
Goodison Park has been the home of the Toffees ever since they left Anfield back in 1892. One of the oldest stadiums in the country, the stadium has hosted some big games including the 1910 FA Cup final replay that saw Newcastle United emerge as winners and also had the distinction of hosting the 1966 FIFA World Cup semi-final tie between West Germany and the Soviet Union.
Get ready for the Merseyside Derby, one last time at Goodison Park.
Oh, the memories… 🏟️🥹 pic.twitter.com/ss0eNkibhY
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) December 6, 2024
The iconic stadium that Everton have called their home for the last 132 years holds the record for hosting the most number of top-flight matches in the country, with a 119 of them being the Merseyside derbies. Matchday 15 of the Premier League weekend kicks off with the 120th Merseyside derby to take place at the Goodison Park and the Evertonians would be hoping to bow out on a high in what is the biggest game of the season for them.
It is going to be an emotional afternoon at the Goodison but the hosts would also be vary of the game that is on hand. Liverpool are heading into this game on a phenomenal run of form and are the team to beat this season while Everton have had a shaky start to their season. Mind over matter has to be the mantra for Sean Dyche’s men if they want to end this era on a high and give a proper send-off to their iconic stadium.
Battle of David and Goliath but all square historically
120 – Tomorrow sees the 120th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in all competitions, and the last ever to be played in the league. The head-to-head stands at 41 wins each for both Everton and Liverpool (D37) going into the match. Poised. pic.twitter.com/4uGhD1cB9g
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 6, 2024
A team that’s placed 15th in the table host the league leaders and champions elect and odds are in favour of the visitors. Its a David vs Goliath scenario with the Goliath looking increasingly likely to come out on top. However, history favours no one and that would be a major boost for the hosts as they could gain some confidence from it. In the 119 Merseyside derbies to have taken place at the Goodison before, no team holds the advantage.
Both the teams have won 41 games each while 37 games have ended in a draw meaning the 120th and final derby at the stadium, is all set to be the decider between the two sides. While neither team leads the other historically, that bodes well for Everton because this stat certainly favours them rather than their rivals as they’re clearly the David in this battle. Having one winner over your bitter rivals at one of the country’s most iconic stadiums forever will be a good motivational factor for either side.
Why is this the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park?
As mentioned earlier, Everton are set to move away from the Goodison Park at the end of the 2024/25 season with the Toffees relocating to a stadium. Christened the Everton Stadium at the Bramley-Moore Dock in Vauxhall, Liverpool, it is set to be the new home for the blue half of Merseyside and will have a higher capacity than Goodison Park, with it being a 52,000-seater stadium. After their move to the Everton Stadium, Goodison Park stands to be demolished and the site will be redeveloped.
In what is sure to be an emotional encounter between the two sides, Liverpool bid farewell to one of the most iconic stadiums of the region as they travel to the Goodison, for one last time. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
