Everton were held to a 2-2 stalemate by Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon in their second last match at Goodison Park.
Toffees striker Beto opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, providing the first moment of entertainment in a dull affair when he met Carlos Alcaraz's curled cross.
Dwight McNeil doubled the hosts' lead less than 10 minutes later when the winger found himself with space on the right before striking fiercely into the bottom-left corner.
However, Julio Enciso pulled one back for the visitors with his own effort from distance, firing past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from a central position and giving the Tractor Boys hope heading into the half-time interval.
The Toffees then surrendered their advantage late in the second half when George Hirst met Omari Hutchinson's floated delivery to the left post, and the clash ultimately ended level.
A point leaves the hosts in 14th place with 39 points after 35 matchweeks, while Ipswich are in 18th place with just 22 points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
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Everton boss David Moyes should not be overly concerned with the point, especially as they had long secured safety, and it should be noted that there is a realistic possibility that they could end the season above both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
However, the Toffees will have to avoid a collapse in their final home game of the season against Southampton on May 18 considering it will be their final ever fixture at Goodison Park before moving to the Everton Stadium next season.
Ipswich's main focus must be on building a squad capable of challenging for promotion back to the Premier League, and though they experienced yet another defeat in 2024-25, the loss is of little consequence given they are already relegated.
EVERTON VS. IPSWICH TOWN HIGHLIGHTS
26th min: Everton 1-0 Ipswich Town (Beto)
Alcaraz collects possession from near the left corner flag and curls a cross towards Beto, who positions himself between Ipswich's centre-backs before glancing his header into the left of the net.
What a delivery!
35th min: Everton 2-0 Ipswich Town (Dwight McNeil)
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McNeil finds himself with time and space on the right of the pitch, and the winger attempts an audacious strike from some distance but his effort nestles into the bottom-left corner.
An amazing strike!
41st min: Everton 2-1 Ipswich Town (Julio Enciso)
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Ipswich have possession in Everton's half; Enciso drops deep to collect the ball on the left before driving inside to a central area, and the attacker fires into the top-right corner from distance.
Another unbelievable goal!
79th min: Everton 2-2 Ipswich Town (George Hirst)
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Hutchinson drives down the right side of the box and floats a cross to the far post, where Hirst rises highest to meet his delivery, heading low into the goal and drawing his side level.
Not the ending Moyes had in mind!
MAN OF THE MATCH - JAMES GARNER
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James Garner was dominant with the ball at his feet, registering the most touches (83), completing 64 of his 68 passes and playing the joint most passes into the final third (10) of any player on the pitch.
The midfielder was also excellent out of possession given he won all of his tackles (four) and won six of his eight duels, the most of any Everton player.
EVERTON VS. IPSWICH TOWN MATCH STATS
Possession: Everton 57%-43% Ipswich Town
Shots: Everton 8-12 Ipswich Town
Shots on target: Everton 3-5 Ipswich Town
Corners: Everton 2-3 Ipswich Town
Fouls: Everton 12-15 Ipswich Town
BEST STATS
21 - Dwight McNeil is now the outright top Premier League goalscorer to have scored 100% of his goals with his left foot, overtaking Stuart Pearce's previous record of 20. Sinister. #EVEIPS pic.twitter.com/Ge0ZiKyFVl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 2025
A towering header from Beto has put @Everton 1-0 up at home to Ipswich 💥
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 3, 2025
That's the striker's seventh goal of the season! #EVEIPS pic.twitter.com/pEOuAO3NC1
WHAT NEXT?
Everton will face Fulham at Crave Cottage next Saturday in the Premier League before playing relegated Southampton on May 18 in their final match at Goodison Park.
As for Ipswich, they take on Brentford at Portman Road on May 10, and the club will then travel to the King Power Stadium on May 18 to play Leicester City.
Lewis Nolan
