This weekend Everton return to the place where they finished the rollercoaster 2023-24 campaign on a high despite the final result
Based on the scenes that followed the final whistle, you would not have believed Everton had conceded a very late and very controversial goal to lose 2-1 at Arsenal on the final day of last season. While the home support was overcome with resignation after Manchester City’s win meant they would not be winning the title, the pocket of royal blue in the corner of the Emirates Stadium created a defiant din.
Jordan Pickford came over and punched the air. Sean Dyche mustered a smile as he applauded the away end. The players and the staff stuck around for a prolonged period. The togetherness was tangible.
Of course, final days conjure up unique circumstances and these types of scenes are not peculiar as supporters, staff and the squad say their farewells for the summer. Still, it felt like there was a bond between all in royal blue that day. One forged from months of tumult off the field.
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It helped, of course, that Everton had already secured their Premier League status going into the final weekend. It also did not escape the travelling Blues that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, who became the face of the establishment during Everton’s points deduction sagas, was in attendance.
“Every supporter in the away end knew he was there and they all wanted him to know that to,” wrote Joe Thomas in his match verdict from the 2-1 loss.
“He was left in no doubt before a ball had even been kicked; there could not have been a more fitting conclusion to this controversy soaked campaign than Blues getting to boo the Premier League anthem for one final time with the public face of the organisation looking on.
“He could be in no doubt on the final whistle either. ‘Eight point loss, still did boss’ was a polite sign in the away end. The chants that penetrated the stadium as Arsenal’s hopes faded were far less polite but their message was just as clear. “
It would be fair to say that unity has faded somewhat this season. Everton have not really had a clear cause to line behind and fight against like last term. They have simply failed to reach the levels they should have.
After accruing 48 points in real terms in 2023/24, Evertonians hoped this campaign would be one of relative midtable obscurity, dotted with some big wins as the final farewells are said to Goodison Park. In terms of expectations, they were pretty basic for a squad that is flawed but possesses some talent.
Instead? It’s been another grind.
The 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers undoubtedly helped matters a week ago – Everton are now five points clear of the drop zone – while the postponed Merseyside derby has given Dyche a rare chance to get the players fully recuperated ahead of a busy festive schedule.
Everton return to Arsenal on Saturday for the first time since that peculiar final day. The Gunners are a serious outfit, of course, but there are reasons for the Blues to be hopeful.
Arsenal are not at their fluent best, they had a key game against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday night and are likely to be without a number of big names due to injury. They will be heavy favourites on home soil still, but any Premier League team going to the Emirates Stadium this weekend should think they have a sniff.
This game will potentially give Dyche the chance to recapture some of the spirit that bristled on the final day last year too. For the away supporters – who have seen just one win on the road this calendar year – it’s needed.
There are ways to lose football matches, after all. Just contrast the final whistle scenes at Arsenal back in May with those a fortnight ago, when the visiting section at Old Trafford was basically empty after a dismal 4-0 defeat to Manchester United.
A repeat of that would potentially be a disaster before the calendar tightens with some tough fixtures. By contrast, a strong performance would no doubt be warmly received by the traveling support. A point or a shock win? That would make last season’s celebrations look small fry.
