'Maybe as good as we've been in any game'published at 22:36 25 May
22:36 25 May
Image source, Getty Images
Everton boss David Moyes described his players as "magnificent" after the won 1-0 at Newcastle to finish the campaign with three straight victories.
"I thought it was a great performance, the character the players showed throughout the game," said Moyes.
"We turned up not really needing anything from the game - we couldn't really change our league position. But you wouldn't have thought that with the way the players performed.
"I thought they were magnificent, maybe as good as we've been in any game in some ways. It says a lot about the players' attitude and commitment.
"It would have been easy for them to, what do they say, be on a beach. They certainly weren't that."
Everton move forward with hope under Moyespublished at 18:56 25 May
18:56 25 May
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Everton confirmed their revival under David Moyes with a composed, highly professional performance that almost ended Newcastle's hopes of Champions League football next season while offering the Toffees real hope and optimism for next term.
They were 16th in the Premier League - one point clear of the relegation zone - with only three wins from 19 games when Moyes succeeded Sean Dyche in January for his second spell in charge.
In the end Everton finished comfortably in 13th, and this performance full of threat and organisation bore all the Moyes trademarks.
Now a fresh era begins in Everton's new home at Bramley-Moore Dock - the Hill Dickinson Stadium - and with new owners the Friedkin Group ready to show their ambition.
Carlos Alcaraz's match-winning display, in which he came close three times before scoring, was an impressive pitch to make his loan move from Flamengo permanent for £15m, while Idrissa Gueye's industry, even at 35, will surely earn him a new contract offer.
And at the heart of it all was goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Taunted throughout for his Sunderland roots, he delivered a display of authority that made it look, at one point, as though he would enjoy the perfect weekend, with three points for Everton, the Black Cats returning to the top flight, and Newcastle's Champions League dream being dashed.
In the end, despite the Magpies' defeat everyone left St James' Park happy - now a summer of transition awaits at Everton after a fine end to the season.
Newcastle 0-1 Everton - send us your thoughtspublished at 18:09 25 May
18:09 25 May
So the curtain has come down on Everton's rollercoaster season with an impressive win against Newcastle at St James' Park.
David Moyes' return in January bought a major upturn in form and what looked like a potential relegation battle has turned into the Toffees ending their final year at Goodison Park in relaxed and positive manner.
How are you feeling after the game and at the end of a long and emotional final campaign before moving to the new stadium?
Newcastle v Everton: Team newspublished at 15:16 25 May
15:16 25 May
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Newcastle United have been given a big lift in their pursuit of Champions League football with the return of outstanding striker Alexander Isak after he recovered from a groin problem. He comes in for Callum Wilson following the defeat at Arsenal.
Subs: Dubravka, Krafth, Lascelles, Longstaff, Miley, Osula, Trippier, Willock, Wilson
Michael Keane starts for Everton in defence, replacing the injured Jarrad Branthwaite, while Carlos Alcaraz comes in for Abdoulaye Doucoure, who leaves the club at the end of the season.
Jack Harrison also starts, with Dwight McNeil dropping to the bench.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Evertonpublished at 13:03 25 May
13:03 25 May
Newcastle are at home, and their superior goal difference means they know any sort of win will keep them in the Champions League places regardless of what Aston Villa do.
I usually fancy Eddie Howe's side to win when they are at St James' Park but there are serious doubts over Alexander Isak's fitness, which is a real worry. I would have a different feeling if he was in the team.
On top of that, Everton are an awkward team to break down, who also carry an attacking threat with Beto in such good form.
So, I do not think this will be straightforward at all. I am still backing the Magpies, but I would not be surprised if Everton nicked a point.
Here are some of your comments on your selection, plus another name thrown into the ring:
Neil: Jordan has been very consistent throughout the season and a match-winner on several occasions with some outstanding saves. Even when Everton could not win our goalkeeper saved us with alarming regularity.
Keiron: Pickford by a country mile.
Duncan: Pickford is the rock upon which the team is built. He's so solid. And he's also fun. He occasionally looks a bit erratic, but it's usually fleeting and doesn't cost us. Extra shoutout to Jake O'Brien not on the list. Not played enough to be in contention, but he's been excellent since Moyes arrived.
Stuart: Pickford has been the most consistent. Just ahead of Branthwaite who was out injured for a period.
Newcastle v Everton: Did you know?published at 11:12 24 May
11:12 24 May
Image source, Getty Images
Having lost six of their nine home league games against Everton between 2011 and 2019 , Newcastle are now unbeaten in their past four against the Toffees.
However, Everton have only kept more clean sheets against West Ham (23) and Liverpool (21) than they have against Newcastle in the Premier League (18).
Newcastle have won their final league game in eight of the past 10 seasons, with the exceptions a 3-1 loss against Liverpool (2019-20) and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea (2022-23).
Everton have only won their final league game in one of the past eight seasons, beating Bournemouth 1-0 in 2022-23.
'It was unbelievable' - commentator on Goodison's farewellpublished at 20:00 23 May
20:00 23 May
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Ali Bruce-Ball discussing Goodison Park's farewell on The Commentators' View podcast: "It was really special. The club did it brilliantly.
"My favourite memories of the day were before the game got underway. The walk through Liverpool city centre before the game, sun up, fans drifting to their church, Goodison. Walking across Standley Park, the sense of fans trying to linger and draw it out.
"The singing outside the ground was shaking the ground. It was unbelievable.
"The bit that will stay with me the most was Z-Cars, the last ever entrance to that tune. They did it so well. Silence fell and that siren rang around an empty stadium three or four times, then the drums and the piercing melody. The roar when they came out. Pat Nevin was really taken aback by the whole thing. He is such a cool customer and when the full time whistle blew, the lump in the throat came.
"No tifo display, no fireworks, just the Z-Cars theme tune and fans in their blue shirts. That's all it needed. It's such an old school ground Goodison that it was perfect for that occasion."
Moyes on injuries, Doucoure's exit and summer recruitmentpublished at 14:42 23 May
14:42 23 May
Media caption,
Everton boss David Moyes on Abdoulaye Doucoure
Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Sunday's final Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (16:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Moyes confirmed Jarrad Branthwaite is "injured and won't be available" for Sunday's game after suffering a hamstring injury against Southampton which will sideline him for four to five weeks.
Captain Seamus Coleman will also be unavailable after picking up a thigh problem last weekend.
On midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure leaving the club this summer: "He's been a great servant to the club. We wanted him to stay and made him an offer but he's had a better offer from elsewhere. We have to live with that. There are no hard feelings. Since we've been here he's been really good, I've picked him for nearly every game. We'll miss him but we have no hard feelings from the decision."
Moyes added that the club "will put something out on Monday" regarding other players in the squad who are out of contract - a list that includes Idrissa Gueye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Michael Keane.
He reflected on his time since returning to the club: "We couldn't have got much better than where we are. The crowd played a huge part. The players deserve huge credit and I thank them for their efforts. We've finished above an awful lot of big and good sides."
On the challenge facing his team at St James' Park: "They've done a remarkable job at Newcastle. It's become a football club that is challenging all the big sides. They'll give us a really good game, it'll be a tough day to go there. We've been good away from home, we want to keep that form going and we'll go there confident we can get a result."
On summer recruitment considering the number of players on loan and out of contract: "We have to find a way of starting to get back on the correct road. We will sign some players and keep some players as well. We want to add, we want to become better and we're going to try and do that. We're touching base with some people to see what their thoughts are. There's a lot of things going on at the minute behind the scenes."
Tuchel names England squad for World Cup qualifier and friendlypublished at 10:19 23 May
10:19 23 May
England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra (7 June) and friendly against Senegal (10 June).
Manchester City's Phil Foden, Newcastle's Tino Livramento and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen all miss out, but Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Chelsea duo Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah have been selected.
'A bittersweet day' - one family's emotional tribute on Radio Merseysidepublished at 12:41 22 May
12:41 22 May
Yesterday on this page we highlighted an emotional tribute, external made to Everton fan Robbie by his children from his graveside after he sadly died before fulfilling his wish of seeing the Toffees' final match at Goodison Park and first at their new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.
BBC Radio Merseyside then spoke to Robbie's widow Shell, who spoke about his funeral procession going past both stadiums, listening to the derby at the graveside and some funny memories about making his Liverpool-ing wife queue for tickets for an FA Cup semi-final.
"He was so excited about the new ground," she said.
"I didn't know about it [the tribute sent into Radio Merseyside during Everton's final game at Goodison Park]. It was a bittersweet day."
"His kids, his grandkids and his beloved Everton - that was his life," Shell continued.
"I'm a Kopite but I've done both derby days at the cemetery. I take the radio down, bang the footy on for him and he wouldn't have it any other way.
"I even queued up once for seven-and-a-half hours for a Man Utd ticket [FA Cup semi-final 2009] for him. It got ed down to everyone there was a Kopite in the queue!
"He loved it and he'd be buzzing now Moyesey is back and they are on the up. We've got him a brick at the new stadium and we made the funeral directors take us to Bramley-Moore and past Goodison.
'Moyes doesn't want their season to end with a whimper'published at 08:18 22 May
08:18 22 May
Mike Hughes BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, Getty Images
After Sunday's incredible 'Goodbye to Goodison' finale and the emotional involvement in it for all Everton fans, the last match of the Premier League season at Newcastle has a real end of term feel to it for Blues fans.
Defeat for Wolves at Selhurst Park on Tuesday guaranteed a 13th-place finish. On the face of it, that is clearly not something to get too carried away with - until you how grim Everton's situation was when David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche as manager.
Exactly half of the season had gone and they were in 16th in the table on 17 points, just one above the relegation zone. Since then, the turnaround could hardly be more dramatic.
Everton have gained 27 points from 19 matches and are now on 45 points from 37 games. In fact, if the season started for only Everton on the day Moyes was appointed, the Blues would still have finished above the bottom three. That is a remarkable achievement given what had gone before.
On that basis, Moyes certainly doesn't want their season to end with a whimper.
For Newcastle, though, the picture could hardly be more different. A win at St James' Park on Sunday for Eddie Howe's men assures them of Champions League football for next season. Anything less than that and it depends on results elsewhere.
Their home form this season has been formidable, so this would be a tall order under any circumstances - and Everton's cause is not helped by the fact both first-choice central defenders will miss the game because of injury.
If selected, this will be the final game in a royal blue jersey for Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young, with the future of other first-team squad still to be decided.
Whatever the line-up on Sunday, Moyes will expect his players to respond to the challenge they face. And since he returned as manager, their response could hardly have been better.
Pick your Everton player of the seasonpublished at 16:27 21 May
16:27 21 May
Mike Richards Fan writer
We asked our Everton fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Not as strong a campaign as last, but an early-season injury made it a slow start for the 22-year-old. He has looked back to his imperious best in recent weeks and is showing once again why he is the club's biggest asset. No doubt the rumour mill will be in full swing this summer.
Iliman Ndiaye
A breath of fresh air in a side that has craved creativity for many years. Proved his attacking worth with goals from wide left, with Evertonians eager to see him given more game time just behind the striker. The knee injury suffered against Liverpool in February derailed things slightly, but an impressive first season nonetheless.
Jordan Pickford
The biggest compliment I can pay England's number one is that his consistency has become his norm. Despite the usual apparent agenda against him from many who don't watch him every week, his importance for Everton has once again come through.
Idrissa Gueye
Even at aged 35, he has proven once again how invaluable he is to the Everton midfield. Leading the way in tackles and interceptions for the club this season, it is fair to say he has aged like a fine wine. He is out of contract this summer - but it is absolutely imperative he is a given a new one.
🎧 Goodbye To Goodison: End Of An Erapublished at 15:42 21 May
15:42 21 May
Sunday saw Everton's men's team play their final game at Goodison Park before they move to their new stadium next season.
It was an emotional day for all involved, and the team at BBC Radio Merseyside captured it all in their coverage before the game and the end of an era ceremony after.
With tributes from fans to the ground and loved ones who are no longer with them to watch, the moments have been brought together into special pre- and post-match programmes.
They are the final episodes of the station's Goodbye To Goodison podcast series that has documented the thoughts, feelings and best moments from legendary players, fans and staff who have been able to call the stadium a second home for over a century.
'The football always leads' - how does a player settle in a new stadium?published at 11:02 21 May
11:02 21 May
Image source, Getty Images
As a player moving to a new stadium, you are more curious than worried. You are curious to see how it is going to pan-out, curious to see how the fans are going to be.
But, it is all going to feel and look different anyway. For some players who have been there for years and years, you know the part of the pitch you are going to come onto first, you know the people sitting in row a, b, c, so there is that sense of familiarity.
However, this is also the case for some of the opposition too. For as good as the atmosphere is, as a player, the more you go to a place, the less you get intimidated by it just because you have seen it before. You know whether they are loud, if they are loud all the time, you just get used to them being like that. The dimensions of the pitch, the dressing room, your routine in that space.
So for Everton, it is going to be more a case of - how long will it take to make it feel like home? Considering Goodison Park has been home for over a hundred years, it might take some time. But in reality, a lot of things will be led by how well you are playing. If you are playing well, the fans will want to sing. If you are playing well against a big rival, not only will they sing, but they will make it as hard as possible for the opposition. The football always leads.
If the football ends up being a bit mediocre and people are still trying to find their feet in the stadium, then yes, it could become a quieter space. But for all the Everton fans that will be making that journey over from Goodison to the new stadium, they will be ready to sing their hearts out because it is still a huge part of their identity.
Yes, it might take a while to figure out that feeling of it being like home, but as soon as the football starts, that is the thing that is familiar. That is the green grass, those are the players I know, and hopefully they are playing in the same way that they have played previously. The way that got them so much across all those years.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson