There’s a kind of bittersweet nostalgia in saying goodbye to a home ground—especially one like Goodison Park, packed with decades of memories.
But for Everton, those memories are also tinged with frustration. One recurring theme? Throwing away winning positions.
And that ghost showed up again on Saturday afternoon.
As the Toffees prepare to move into their brand-new stadium next season, fans were hoping to leave some bad habits behind.
Instead, Everton let a 2-0 lead slip against already-relegated Ipswich, ending the match in a disappointing 2-2 draw.
A Familiar Collapse at Goodison as Ghosts of Past Haunt Everton Again
Saturday’s draw marked the third time this season that Everton have given up a two-goal lead at home. It’s becoming a pattern that’s hard to ignore.
Even when they’ve managed to score first, the Toffees have either dropped points or had to nervously hang on.
Striker Beto, who kicked things off with a confident header to open the scoring, admitted that something mental might be at play.
“Maybe we’re overthinking out there,” he said honestly.
“The ghosts of the past sneak in—it’s hard to explain. We know it keeps happening, and we’ve got to stop it.”
He added, “It’s a real disappointment, for us and for the fans. We should have taken all three points
. Next time, if we’re up 2-0, we need to stay focused and keep it.”
Strong Start Fizzles Out as Ipswich Claw Their Way Back
For a while, it looked like Everton were in control. Goals from Beto and Dwight McNeil had them flying high by the 35th minute.
The crowd was buzzing, enjoying what seemed like a routine win in their second-to-last game at Goodison Park.
But then came the shift.
Julio Enciso changed the mood with a stunning long-range strike that cut the deficit and sparked Ipswich to life.
Everton started looking nervous, and when George Hirst nodded in an equaliser with just over ten minutes to go, it felt like déjà vu.
Liam Delap Stirs the Pot as Transfer Talk Swirls
Ipswich’s Liam Delap was in the middle of the action for more than just footballing reasons.
Subbed off after yet another yellow card—his 12th of the season—Delap had clashed with both Joey O’Brien and Jarrad Branthwaite before leaving the pitch.
Despite the disciplinary issues, Delap remains one of the standout talents from the relegated side.
With a £30 million release clause in his contract, top clubs are circling.
But his aggressive edge might give some teams pause.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna defended his player’s intensity, saying, “He plays on the edge, but he knows the lines not to cross.”
Looking Ahead: Can Everton Break the Cycle in Their New Home?
As the final whistle blew on Saturday’s frustrating draw, there was a shared sense among Everton fans—something’s got to change.
Whether it’s mentality, discipline, or just learning how to finish games, this team can’t afford to carry these ghosts into their new stadium.
Beto tried to stay optimistic: “We can achieve anything if we put our minds to it in the new ground.”
But unless Everton learn how to hold a lead, the venue won’t matter much.
