Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 12, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Premier League | 2024-25 |
Venue
| Goodison Park |
|---|
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 1 | 1 |
KO
KO
25
61
61
69
69
77
77
87
88
FT
Recap
Everton’s debut at their new stadium hasn’t gone entirely to plan.
On Monday night, the Toffees hosted their first test event at the 52,888-capacity stadium. The match, an under-18 friendly between Everton and Wigan, attracted 10,000 fans in the South Stand, marking the first match at the venue before the club’s move from Goodison Park this summer.
However, it was Wigan who made history by scoring the first goal at the new Everton stadium. Midfielder Harry Rimmer opened the scoring after just 13 minutes in front of the home crowd. Everton’s commentary on YouTube captured the moment, saying, “That young man there, Harrison Rimmer, has just had a moment he will remember for the rest of his life.”
Rimmer, a Liverpool fan, taunted the Everton crowd with his celebration after being mobbed by teammates, holding up six fingers to signify Liverpool’s six European titles. This came a week after Everton had equalized late in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Reacting to Rimmer’s celebration on social media, one fan quipped: “Couldn’t get more Everton could ya?” Another supporter humorously added, “Bet it got the first boo at the new ground.”
Things worsened for Everton as Wigan doubled their lead just four minutes later with a goal from Cole Simms. Despite a late strike from Ray Roberts, Everton couldn’t equalize, and the Latics won 2-1 in the first of three test events at the stadium.
Rimmer later joked about his goal on social media, saying he had “rattled” the Everton fans.
Everton’s under-21 side is scheduled to play a friendly at the stadium in late March or early April, with the capacity set to increase to 25,000. A third test event is also planned, though details are still pending.
After over 132 years at Goodison Park, the Toffees will officially move to their new home for the 2025/26 season. Goodison Park, Everton’s home since 1892, will host its final match on May 18 against Southampton.
The new stadium, located by Bramley Moore Dock, represents a long-awaited move for the club, which has faced numerous setbacks in its pursuit of a new home. Early plans to build near the River Mersey were abandoned in 2003 due to funding issues, and several other potential locations were rejected over the years. Construction on the current site began in 2021 and was completed in December.
Next season, assuming Everton remains in the Premier League, the new stadium will be the seventh largest in the league and will also host matches during Euro 2028. The stadium is expected to contribute £1.3 billion to the UK economy and create 15,000 jobs, thanks to its surrounding regeneration efforts.
