AFTER the most recent weekend of Premier League games, Everton are now mathematically safe from relegation and will play their first season in a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in the top flight.

Earlier in the season, there was a worry that Everton, who are one of six ever-present teams in the top division in the Premier League era, would face the unthinkable prospect of playing their debut campaign at their new home in the second tier.

David Moyes has come in and steadied the ship, and then some. In his second stint at the club, the Scotsman has transformed Everton into one of the league’s most well-organised teams and put them at the top end of the division’s form table.

With Premier League status assured for 2025-26, what is left to play for? The answer is Goodison Park.

The visit of Manchester City on Saturday highlighted this, as even opposition players and managers involved themselves in the old stadium’s send-off.

City manager Pep Guardiola spoke of his memories of the stadium, from losing his first game here against a Ronald Koeman-managed Toffees side, to experiencing one of the grounds he considers typical of English football.

“My friend Ronald Koeman destroyed me the first time I came here — four-zero — with [Romelu] Lukaku, and I remember it perfectly,” the Catalan coach told the Liverpool Echo after the game.

“But it was the beginning of an incredible adventure that we have lived for almost one decade, and after that we have been good.

“I love to come here. When I go to Fulham as well, these are typical Premier League stadiums.”

Goodison Park’s compact press box was packed for the visit of City, which would not usually be the case for such a game at this stage of the season.

City are playing for a spot in the top four, but this would not normally be a high-profile fixture. 

Even so, the media areas in recent weeks have been full of people looking to enjoy working at this stadium for one final time.

“Clubs grow, and the new stadium, I’m pretty sure, will be magnificent,” added Guardiola.

“It will increase revenue and be more comfortable for the fans and for all of you [media], maybe, your work will be better.

“It will be missed, though. It’s been truly an honour to come here for many years to Goodison Park.

“Today, I was on the pitch before the game, watching the goals on the screen scored by players like Gary Lineker and all the teammates.

“I said: ‘Wow, this is English football.’ Now, it’s changing a little bit in many aspects, but it still remains something special.”

It was also the end of an era for Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who has not been offered a new contract at the club.

The Belgian has been one of the best midfielders to play in English football, and could now be playing his final games in the Premier League, with Major League Soccer a rumoured destination.

Everton fans recognised this and applauded the City captain off the field when he was subbed off later in the game.

Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic scored late goals for City to give them a 2-0 win and boost their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Everton played well for much of the game and City struggled to create anything, but a hamstring injury to James Tarkowski left the home team’s defence looking more uncertain, and City took advantage thanks to the quality they can draw from off the bench.

Everton’s last two home games are against bottom-three sides Ipswich Town and Southampton.

The fixtures give them a chance to sign off in style with wins at Goodison Park, which still gives them plenty to play for despite their own Premier League safety now being mathematically secured.