Everton v Brentford

3pm 4 January 2026

Premier League
Everton 2 Brentford 4 (att 50,000)

I recompleted the full set of 92 Premier League and EFL grounds at Everton's new home 38 years, almost to the day, since my one and only visit to Goodison Park.

On the first Sunday in January 1988 they beat Nottingham Forest in front of a little over 20,000 supporters. I can't recall how much I paid for a ticket, or whether I had to buy one in advance, but obviously top flight football has changed hugely in the years since.

I was reliant on someone with membership to help me secure an affordable ticket for this game, although whether £60 is truly affordable for many is open to debate. Still, despite the cost there were relatively few unoccupied seats.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium, despite its dull corporately-sponsored name, is a fantastic venue. I arrived early enough to have a look around, and to sample some of the extensive food and drink available.

Of the recent additions to the UK's professional football stadiums, only Spurs have a ground that I'd rank above Everton's.

Off the pitch it was a good experience. On the pitch, for Everton fans, it was an afternoon to forget. Brentford had a 1-0 lead by half time, but two goals in the space of 60 seconds early in the second period put them out of sight.

Everton did pull a goal back, only for Brentford to hit them again on the break. A second home goal was so late in the game that many Evertonians had already left the ground to begin their journeys home.