For a moment, it was just like old times. Leighton Baines flicked his left foot that still resembles a magic wand and Phil Jagielka rose powerfully to glance in a header.
The day Everton had been waiting for — the grand opening of their £750million riverfront stadium — was understandably full of nods to the past, so there was just as much interest in the legends game with AS Roma as the main event between the two current teams.
It raised a smile to see Jagielka attempting a cartwheel after scoring but there is no longer any need to look back at how things used to be: Hill Dickinson Stadium, on the site of the old Bramley- Moore Dock, has been a long time coming and the importance of the day could not be overstated.
David Moyes may have seen his team lose 1-0 but the result was only a footnote. What was crucial on this particular afternoon, as 50,837 fans congregated from as early as 11am to take pictures and capture memories, was the sense that Everton have the capacity to move forward.
Nobody knows this better than Moyes. August 9 is laced with symbolism, as 20 years ago on that date he led Everton into the first leg of a Champions League qualifier against Villarreal that he hoped would change the course of the club’s future.
For so many reasons — not least some preposterous officiating from Pierluigi Collina in the second leg that still causes consternation to this day — things didn’t turn out as they should have done. But, eventually, Everton have arrived at the right destination.
The day Everton had been waiting for — the grand opening of their £750million riverfront stadium — finally came on Saturday
It raised a smile to see Jagielka attempting a cartwheel after scoring in the legends match
David Moyes is hopeful the Toffees will take steps forward at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
‘This club has been so desperate for this situation to arise, to get a new stadium,’ said Moyes. ‘It is a wonderful stadium and it is a step up from Goodison Park, for sure. This is a real positive step.
‘Hopefully we can make positive steps as we go along as well. We have built something — there are still a few bits that need to get done behind the scenes here, but it is no different from the team. We need to build a team — and build the bits behind the team as well.’
Of course, there are teething issues to address. But when you walk up the steep steps of the West Stand to take in the view, it becomes easy to imagine a point in the future when the arena will be bouncing. It already has character and the 14,000 seats on the South Stand will be a Blue wall.
‘I grew up as a kid watching Everton on Match of the Day,’ said new signing Kiernan Dewsbury- Hall, who impressed on his debut.
‘I stood in the tunnel and heard the (Z-Cars theme) playing. It’s so iconic. I don’t care what anyone says — it’s a massive club and I’m humbled to be here. I’ll never take that for granted.
‘You’ll get the best version of me here. The stadium was a massive selling point. This is going to make players go, “Wow — this is a project that will be exciting”. I couldn’t wait to jump at it.’
Dewsbury-Hall is going to be joined by new faces, that is for certain. Everton have stepped up their interest in Jack Grealish, as they try to secure his signing on a season-long loan and there is growing belief that he wants to link up with Moyes.
If he wants to appreciate the possibilities in front of him, he only need look at the images from this curtain-raiser.
Everton first team lost the friendly against Roma to a goal from Matias Soule (right)
Everton lost the game, to a 69th-minute goal from Matias Soule, but they will find their feet here, sooner rather than later.
‘It’s amazing — totally different from Goodison,’ said Jagielka. ‘I hope, the atmosphere will become just as raucous as it was at the old place. David will push them on. If we get the recruitment right, the team will improve — and then the fans will take over.’
