Match Preview | Everton v Southampton

‘Who’s chopping onions?’ will be a question asked a lot in this writer’s household before, during and long after the final whistle blows on Sunday. Unbelievably, yet somewhat inevitably the final game at Goodison Park is finally upon us. There are many talented Evertonians who have put into words, videos and art projects exactly what Goodison means to them. Sunday truly is the end of an era.

Don’t be angry or fooled by the announcement earlier this week that Everton Women will play at Goodison Park next season. It does not diminish what Sunday represents. Not only is Sunday the end of an era in terms of the men’s team playing at our iconic old ground. It also symbolises the end of a tough few years. The change in ownership, the new ground and the squad turnover all represent a hopeful new dawn for Everton Football Club and whilst there have been ‘moments’ at Goodison in recent years, overall the history is exactly that. There is only one thing left, to give The Old Lady the best send off possible. Everyone on and off the pitch will play their part.

Everton return home for the final time this season on the back of a great win away to Fulham. Surprisingly for many Evertonians, it would appear that following The Toffees on the road this season has been more enjoyable and fruitful that marching down the Goodison Road. The dark stat looming over Everton as a cloud of shame is the one referenced in last week’s preview, that in a 38 game season Everton will have won the fewest home games this season regardless of what happens on Sunday.

Meanwhile our final opponents at Goodison Park enjoyed a draw against a shaky Manchester City. Southampton saw out a 0-0 draw with the Premier League giants. A point that saw their blushes spared and Derby County’s record low points total remains with The Rams and not an unwanted albatross on the south coast. A chance to turn up and spoil the party this weekend, The Saints will want to be the tricky devils that ruin Everton’s farewell to Goodison Park.

The club confirmed earlier this weekend that Asmir Begovic, Joao Virginia and Ashley Young will be departing the club at the end of the season. Meanwhile David Moyes said ‘one way of the other’ Seamus Coleman will remain at the club next season. Progress is being made off the pitch with contracts and stadium naming rights. There is still a lot left to be decided but that can wait until after Sunday…

If You Know Your History… Everton v Southampton Through the Years

In all competitions Everton have lost their last 3 games against Southampton. The Saints have left with a win in their last 2 visits to Goodison Park. That includes this season’s defeat on penalties in the League Cup. Southampton also beat Everton in the league this season at St Mary’s. An 85th minute winner from Adam Armstrong gave Southampton 3 of their 12 Premier League points this season.

A Steve Watson goal on April 20th 2002 gave David Moyes his first win over Southampton, just over a month into his first spell as Everton boss. The long serving Everton manager would go on to face Southampton a total of 9 times in all competitions during his initial 11 years at the club, losing just once.

With fixtures dating back to 1900, Everton have faced Southampton 111 times. Despite the recent poor run against them, Everton do hold the advantage over The Saints winning 52 of those 111 fixtures. Southampton have managed a win over Everton on 36 occasions. The 2 sides have shared points 23 times.

Team News

Jake O’Brien is available again for selection, after returning from a knock that kept him out of last weekend’s win over Fulham. Meaning David Moyes has almost a full squad to choose from for the final game at Goodison Park. Jesper Lindstrom and James Tarkowski remain the only notable and long term absentees.

Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters faces a late fitness test ahead of their visit to Merseyside this weekend. Otherwise they will have a full squad available for selection.

What the Manager Says

Moyes on The Final Game at Goodison Park- “There is some great history, great stories, great managers and great players who have all come here – I’m just the one who’s going to shut the door on the way out! It will be sad, but we are moving into something that is going to give us a bigger and better future.”

Moyes on his Favourite Goodison Memory- “The first day and coming onto the pitch against Fulham is probably it for me because that was the start. There were question marks over how long it would last but I had really good people who let me get on with my job and gave me everything I needed.”

Everton Key Player

Beto- Back in form and back amongst the goals, Beto has caused conversation and headaches in recent weeks. Since David Moyes returned in January, only 3 players have scored more Premier League goals than Beto. Attracting attention from Leeds and clubs further afield, Beto appears to have rediscovered the form he had during the early weeks of the second coming of Moyes. The second coming of Beto this season has given fans plenty to discuss and Moyes plenty to think about. At the time of writing Beto and Chermitti will be the only Everton forwards under contract this season. Beto appears to be making a case for Moyes to trust him to continue to lead the line beyond this season. Elsewhere Everton fans get to debate if cashing in on Beto is better than keeping him on the books.

There is something said to playing to a player’s strengths. With Beto, he appears to have one key move. Opening up his body and trying to squeeze a shot round a keeper. The move, albeit taken first time, worked well against Fulham. His headed goal against Ipswich showed there might be more to his game as confidence begins to return to his game. Those around him simply need to play the creative passes needed to give Beto the space to play the game his way. Can he add to his tally this weekend? Could he be the final goalscorer at Goodison Park? And will he be an Everton player come the beginning of next season? A lot of questions left to be answered. The Southampton players will keep a close eye on the imposing forward this weekend. They will see if they can be the answer and antidote to Beto’s goalscoring form.

One to Watch for Southampton:

Taylor Harwood-Bellis – In terms of creative outlet, Southampton have struggled for goals this season. They will likely look to frustrate Everton at Goodison Park and the man who will be pivotal to hopes of a clean sheet will be the young England defender. A player Everton should be looking at this summer, should they need a center back.

Whilst we talk a lot about goalkeepers having their best games against Everton (and I am sure Aaron Ramsdale would love a clean sheet this weekend) defenders can also step up against an Everton attack that has been inconsistent this season. Harwood-Bellis will want to shine and give a good account of himself to sign off his season in the Premier League. Surely he is a player wanting to put himself in the shop window? Surely he will be staying in the Premier League next season following his England call ups?

The young English defender against Beto will be a key battle this weekend. He will have his hands full with Everton’s number 14. Everton saw better set pieces in their win over Fulham. They will have to keep that newly discovered form and ensure the delivery is perfect to stop the Southampton number 6 from having an easy afternoon at the back.

Final Thoughts

The race for 13th place is very much in Everton’s hands. Man Utd and Tottenham have both dropped points this weekend and Everton will be looking for 3 more points in their final home game of the season. With only Newcastle remaining on the final day of the season, Everton will be banking on points this weekend rather than expecting anything from next weekend. However, points this weekend are pointless. This weekend is about the farewell to Goodison Park, this weekend is about performing well in the only game that has mattered for weeks now. David Moyes gets Everton and whilst I don’t feel he is a romantic in terms of football, I do believe he will have made his feelings perfectly clear about what he is expecting this weekend. It is a must win game but for the first time in recent seasons, not to guarantee Premier League safety.

Prediction

3-0. On the back of a great win on the road, Everton have to put in a similar shift at home this weekend. The home form for Everton has simply not been good enough this season and The Old Lady is deserving of a great send off. Each player that crossed that white line on Sunday in a royal blue jersey should be looking to give the fans and the ground the goodbye we all hope for. That being said, I want to back the boys to get a comfortable 3-0 win. I think Beto will continue to make his case for leading the line in the new stadium next season, as for who will score the final goal at Goodison Park, who knows? I’m not a betting man but I will have an ironic bet on it being Jack Harrison.