Everton’s historical move to Hill Dickinson Stadium has been a contentious issue for supporters. To say the ground has had teething issues would be an understatement, and some have struggled with the readjustment.
But the Blues’ 3-0 victory against Chelsea marked a true turning point at Everton’s new home.
From the hours before a ball was kicked to the celebrations that followed the final whistle, Saturday’s win was a spark that was waiting to be ignited.
Walking up to the ground, the whiff of flares transported Blues back to some of Everton’s finest moments in recent seasons:
- Chelsea and Jordan Pickford’s most crucial save.
- Crystal Palace and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s famous winning header.
- Bournemouth and Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning strike.
All these were complemented by a sea of blue raucousness before kick-off.
It felt like this was a day for more iconic moments.
That this was The Toffees’ first home league match on a Saturday since December only added to the feel-good factor on the banks of the River Mersey.
Entering the stadium in daylight was also a pleasant anomaly, given recent matches in L3, and seeing the South Stand bathed head to toe in flags only heightened the anticipation for the 90 minutes ahead.
From Minute 1, David Moyes’s men were fast out of the blocks, and as the men in blue ramped up their pressure on Chelsea, the crowd only aided them with praise for every tackle and forward ball.
Although the scoreline did not reflect it, Everton had to dig in for some periods, with Pickford forced to make another high-class save to prevent Chelsea from gaining any advantage.
But even during brief moments of threat from the away side, the crowd was as resilient as the eleven men they were cheering on.
Beto showcased the type of performance that is expected of any Everton Number 9, chasing every ball, not letting your opposing defence settle, and most importantly, finding the back of the net, which on this occasion happened more than once.
The 28-year-old came close to leaving the club in January, but just weeks after this move fell through, he became the first Everton player to score two goals in one match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and was an integral part of a famous victory.
Iliman Ndiaye once again showed why he has been one of The Toffees’ best pieces of business in the modern age, and sealed the three points with a world-class goal, which was befitting of a jubilant world-class ground.
It was, in essence, the perfect day.
Players who fought for 90 minutes, supporters expressing pride in their team, and a ground that had etched itself more into the hearts of Evertonians.
After being born into existence with a 2-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion in August, the performance against Chelsea was somewhat of a baptism for the new stadium.
Everton in recent years have been a sleeping giant, and akin to the club, Hill Dickinson Stadium has been ‘asleep’ this season.
But just as The Toffees appear to be showing signs of waking from their slumber, it is evident that the stadium has also awoken, and we are starting to make it our new home and fortress.
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Reader Comments (10)
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2 Posted 23/03/2026 at 23:33:22
I need to get over to England to watch a game at Hill Dickinson sooner rather than later and your post whets the appetite even more.
3 Posted 23/03/2026 at 23:35:53
4 Posted 24/03/2026 at 01:00:07
We did well enough when Marcus Bent was with us that I hope my memory isn’t really letting me down.
The roar that greeted the third goal on Saturday came through like a classic Goodison one on my TV.
5 Posted 24/03/2026 at 02:34:29
James, thanks for taking us through a great day again. One thing I noticed was so many kids on their dad's shoulders. Loved that. And then a group of lads clearly under 12 in rapture.
Whether it's himself or the players, something has changed in Moyes over the last month or so and whether he initiated it or responded to it he needs to be applauded.
Tracing my Toffees live life back to the Bingham days I've learnt never to accept a watershed turning point, though they do happen - I was at Oxford.
I'm not going to go into paroxysms of OTT fever right now, but I do feel that I saw parts of the future on Saturday. The only thing we can only ever be always confident about is our support.
6 Posted 24/03/2026 at 08:04:29
My lad’s step-daughter has been using my ticket while I've been out of action. Now she thinks it's hers. Gonna have my work cut out getting that back. She loves the place.
While proper Evertonians will follow their team anywhere. No matter who owns or manage's it. others will sit in their London bedsits, worshiping at their little homemade shrine to Daaavvvvveeee.
Does anyone remember when all the girls in school had pictures of Donny Osmond on their walls?
7 Posted 24/03/2026 at 11:50:39
The team, from the word Go, were pressing from the front and gave Chelsea no time on the ball. From 1 to 11, the players were superb and, unlike Goodison, there were no pillars in your way!
8 Posted 24/03/2026 at 16:41:31
The thing I noticed was that while most of the players were still celebrating in the corner, Tarkowski was near the centre circle, no more than a couple of yards away from the ref. The ref tried to say something to him, and he couldn't hear him! The ref had to shout in his ear until he got an acknowledging nod.
Definitely the time that the Hill Dickinson really felt like home.
9 Posted 24/03/2026 at 16:41:59
The thing I noticed was that while most of the players were still celebrating in the corner, Tarkowski was near the centre circle, no more than a couple of yards away from the ref. The ref tried to say something to him, and he couldn't hear him! The ref had to shout in his ear until he got an acknowledging nod.
Definitely the time that the Hill Dickinson really felt like home.
10 Posted 24/03/2026 at 17:30:23
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1 Posted 23/03/2026 at 22:55:14
Pickfords vision for the third was superb. Let's keep the good vibes of the away fans singing Moyes’s name to take to Brentford. Proper Evertonians. Cocktails all round!