Farewell Goodison Park: Iconic Premier League Memories from Everton’s Historic Ground

As Everton prepare to bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park this Sunday with a final Premier League fixture against Southampton, EPLNews reflects on the most unforgettable top-flight moments that have unfolded at the legendary home of the Toffees.

Great Escapes at Goodison

Goodison Park has been the setting for some of Everton’s most dramatic and nerve-wracking escapes from relegation, creating unforgettable memories for supporters.

The first major survival story came in the 1993/94 season. Heading into the final round of matches, the Toffees found themselves in the relegation zone after the penultimate game. Facing Wimbledon at home, Everton fell 2-0 behind—a result that would have consigned them to the drop. However, a stunning turnaround followed. Barry Horne’s thunderous strike was sandwiched between two Graham Stuart goals, completing a 3-2 comeback victory and securing Premier League safety.

Among the euphoric crowd who invaded the pitch at full-time was a young Wayne Rooney, celebrating with countless fans overwhelmed with relief and joy.

That wouldn’t be the last time Everton’s top-flight status came down to the final day at Goodison. In the 1997/98 campaign, Gareth Farrelly’s crucial goal secured a 1-1 draw against Coventry City, and yet another pitch invasion followed as fans celebrated survival.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and the stakes were just as high. Trailing 2-0 to Crystal Palace, Everton launched a stunning comeback. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late goal completed a 3-2 victory that once again secured their Premier League status—and sparked pandemonium across the ground.

A year later, Abdoulaye Doucouré’s powerful strike proved decisive in a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on the final day of the 2022/23 season, ensuring the club’s safety once more, and giving supporters another rollercoaster afternoon at Goodison.

‘Remember the Name, Wayne Rooney!’

Goodison Park will forever hold a special place in the story of Wayne Rooney, where a global football icon first announced himself to the world.

On a memorable October afternoon in 2002, 16-year-old Rooney produced a moment of magic that instantly etched his name into Premier League history. Picking up the ball 30 yards from goal, he unleashed a stunning shot that crashed in off the underside of the bar to beat England goalkeeper David Seaman and hand Everton a 2-1 win over Arsenal.

The goal, which broke Arsenal’s 30-match unbeaten run, made Rooney the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at the time—just 16 years and 359 days old. Clive Tyldesley’s commentary—“Remember the name, Wayne Rooney!”—became iconic.

‘REMEMBER THE NAME, WAYNE ROONEY!’ | THAT GOAL AGAINST ARSENAL  #everton #premierleague #rooney

Rooney would later return to Goodison Park at the twilight of his Premier League career, bringing with him a wealth of experience but still capable of the extraordinary. In November 2017, he netted his first hat-trick for Everton, sealing it with a breathtaking goal from inside his own half—another remarkable chapter in his Goodison story.

Big Dunc’s Headers Against Ferguson’s United

Few fixtures at Goodison have generated the same fevered atmosphere as those against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United—and even fewer moments are as cherished as Duncan Ferguson’s towering headers that secured victory.

In 1995, Ferguson powered home a header from Andy Hinchcliffe’s corner to clinch a 1-0 victory over the Red Devils. A decade later, in April 2005, history repeated itself when “Big Dunc” rose to meet Mikel Arteta’s free-kick, again scoring the only goal of the game and securing Everton’s first Premier League win over United since his previous effort.

Reflecting on that night, Ferguson recalled, “The roof came off. The ground was shaking. It was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever felt in this stadium.”

That result played a crucial role in Everton’s fourth-place finish that season—their highest in the Premier League—culminating in UEFA Champions League qualification. That achievement was sealed a few weeks later at Goodison with goals from David Weir and Tim Cahill against Newcastle United.

Derby Day Delight: Everton’s Record Win Over Liverpool

Goodison Park witnessed Everton’s biggest Premier League victory over arch-rivals Liverpool in September 2006, a 3-0 triumph that remains sweet in the memory.

The opener came when three Everton players found themselves unmarked at the far post, allowing Tim Cahill to slot home. Andy Johnson added a second after a defensive mix-up, and in stoppage time, Pepe Reina’s blunder presented Johnson with an easy header for his second.

It was the first time Everton had scored three goals in a Merseyside derby since 1966, making it a day of great celebration for the home faithful.

A United City: Tribute to Hillsborough Victims

In September 2012, Goodison Park became the stage for a deeply moving tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy. Just a week after an independent panel exonerated Liverpool supporters, Everton hosted Newcastle and offered a show of solidarity that transcended football rivalry.

Two mascots—one in an Everton shirt and one in a Liverpool shirt—led the teams onto the pitch. Players gathered in the centre circle as “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” echoed around the ground. The names of the 96 victims were displayed on screen while fans and players joined in spontaneous applause.

Liverpool’s managing director Ian Ayre commended Everton’s gesture, stating: “At times like this, football rivalries take a back seat. This city is unique.”

Emotional Send-Offs for David Moyes

The afternoon of 12 May 2013 was an emotional one at Goodison Park. David Moyes, Everton’s long-serving manager, took charge of his final home game—a 2-0 win over West Ham United—before departing to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Moyes, overcome with emotion, bid farewell to the fans who had supported him for over a decade.

Yet that was not the end of the story. In January 2025, Moyes returned to Everton amid a relegation battle, tasked with steering the club to safety. The emotion was palpable once more as he stepped back onto the Goodison pitch ahead of a game against Aston Villa.

Although Everton lost that match 1-0, Moyes inspired a turnaround in form that ensured Premier League survival and allowed the club to move to Bramley-Moore Dock with their top-flight status intact.

Coleman’s Goal Against Leeds: A Rare Gem

Seamus Coleman, a true modern Everton legend, has never been known for scoring regularly—but his strike against Leeds United in February 2023 is remembered fondly by fans.

Signed for just £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in 2009, Coleman delivered a moment of brilliance when he caught Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier off guard. From the tightest of angles, Coleman’s shot bent into the net, exploiting the space left unguarded by a keeper expecting a cross.

Reflecting on the goal, Coleman admitted: “I could do that 20 or 30 more times and I wouldn’t hit it that sweet.” Yet this rare goal stands out as one of his most iconic moments at Goodison Park.

Klopp’s Goodbye Derby Defeat

In Everton’s penultimate season at Goodison, the final Merseyside derby hosted there became one to forget for Jurgen Klopp—but one to savour for Toffees fans.

Klopp, in his final year as Liverpool manager, had dominated the derby during his reign, suffering only one loss in 18 encounters and remaining unbeaten at Goodison—until April 2024.

That changed when Sean Dyche’s Everton side produced a gutsy 2-0 victory with goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The result not only ended a 14-year wait for a home derby win but also dealt a heavy blow to Liverpool’s title ambitions.

The Final Home Derby: A Fitting Farewell

After 133 years, Goodison Park hosted its last men’s Merseyside derby in February 2025—and it ended in a manner befitting the ground’s rich history.

Originally scheduled for a December Saturday, the game was postponed due to Storm Darragh and played instead on a Wednesday evening under the floodlights, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.

Liverpool fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1, seemingly on course to ruin the farewell. But in the 98th minute, James Tarkowski volleyed home a dramatic equaliser, ensuring a 2-2 draw and sparking euphoric celebrations.

Chaos ensued after the final whistle with red cards shown to Curtis Jones, Abdoulaye Doucouré and Liverpool boss Arne Slot—adding even more theatre to the last Goodison derby.