Everton Premier League status confirmed as nightmare scenario avoided

Everton Premier League status confirmed as nightmare scenario avoided

Ipswich Town's 4-0 home defeat to Arsenal ensures that Everton are now mathematically safe from relegation

Everton will depart Goodison Park for their new stadium as a Premier League club after Ipswich Town’s 4-0 defeat at home to Arsenal ensured that the Blues are now mathematically safe from relegation with five fixtures still left for them to play this season.

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Kieran McKenna’s side, who splashed out over £130million after securing back-to-back promotions last summer, fell behind to Leandro Trossard’s 14th minute strike with Gabriel Martinelli doubling the Gunners’ advantage on 28 minutes before the hosts were reduced to 10 men four minutes later when Leif Davis was sent off for a challenge on Bukayo Saka and after the break, Trossard struck again to add a third goal on 69 minutes with Ethan Nwaneri completing the rout on 88 minutes.

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With bottom club Southampton – who visit Everton on May 18 for Goodison Park’s last-ever fixture – already relegated, the result ensured that neither Ipswich Town, who are next up at home for the Blues on May 3, or Leicester City can catch David Moyes’ men and any lingering threat of finishing in the bottom three has finally been banished. Despite his side losing themselves on Saturday, 2-0 at home to champions Manchester City, the achievement marks an impressive turnaround for Moyes who returned to the club on January 11.

At the time of the 61-year-old’s reappointment, having previously steered Everton to nine top-eight finishes, including a highest-ever Premier League position of fourth in 2004/05, the Blues had picked up just 17 points from 19 games under Sean Dyche this term. That figure was less than 50% of their final total in 2022/23 when they avoided a first relegation in 72 years by a single goal with the lowest equivalent points total in their history and the team stood just one point above the drop zone when the Scot came back in.

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However, Moyes, who was named Premier League Manager of the Month for the 11th time in his career for February, moving him above Jurgen Klopp and level with Pep Guardiola and ensuring only fellow Glaswegian Sir Alex Ferguson (27) and Arsene Wenger (15) have more, has now got Everton on 38 points with a 17-point cushion between themselves and 18th placed Ipswich. Given that Goodison Park, the first purpose-built football ground in England has staged more top flight matches than any other venue, it would have been a nightmare scenario for the club’s new owners The Friedkin Group to have presided over a relegation season as the Blues prepare to depart their home for the past 133 years for their new stadium on the Mersey waterfront.

Goodbye Goodison Park - Souvenir edition Everton are soon set to say goodbye to Goodison Park as the Toffees play out their final few matches in their iconic home before moving to their incredible new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. And to celebrate this historic and poignant event, the ECHO has produced this stunning special souvenir edition that no fan can afford to be without as they bid farewell to their iconic and beloved home. We have delved into the ECHO archives to unearth fascinating stories from the famous ground's past, including how it came to be built in 1892 and where its world-famous name came from. Relive some of the most epic games to have graced the Grand Old Lady, including first-hand accounts of those involved in perhaps Goodison's greatest night - the European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final win over Bayern Munich in the unforgettable year of 1985. And then there are the legends - from Dean to Hickson, Sharp to Ferguson, Kendall to Moyes, we celebrate the Goodison icons who will live forever in the hearts and minds of Evertonians everywhere long after the ground is gone. There are also some rare treats with a glorious collection of photographs from the archives, featuring stunning Goodison views and behind-the-scenes footage of what makes the Grand Old Lady truly trick. Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents on Merseyside from April 2, 2025.

Moyes himself stated that he wanted to hold back from stepping inside the 52,888 capacity venue at Bramley-Moore Dock that will enable Everton to play in front of the biggest regular crowds in their history, until he felt that his team were safe. Following the 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on April 12 that put the Blues on the brink of survival, he finally paid a visit last Wednesday, stating that he was “hugely impressed.”

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