David Moyes is set to make his first visit to Everton’s new stadium this week. The Blues boss has held off heading down to the club’s stunning new arena, refusing to make the trip until he believed his side were safe from relegation.
While survival has not been mathematically assured, the 61-year-old has been increasingly comfortable talking about the future over recent days and his decision to plan a journey to the waterfront arena is another indication he believes his side is safe.
That admission came after a battling draw with Arsenal at Goodison Park, a game in which Everton were poor during the first half but fought back in the second half. Moyes said he had been angry at the break, when Leandro Trossard had given the visitors the lead and could have had a second in stoppage time.
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A dressing room reset and tactical change sparked a recovery and, while Arsenal had a late flurry of chances, Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty was enough to earn Everton a point.
The draw took the Blues 15 points clear of the bottom three before Ipswich Town’s match with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Asked whether he thought his team had accumulated enough points to avoid a relegation scrap, Moyes said: “It is nearly done. Obviously, mathematically we're not safe yet, but I'm hoping to take a visit to the stadium this week, which would indicate that I think that we’re pretty close, so I want us to keep getting ready now for Premier League football.
"I know I've got a bit to do and I hope I'm not speaking too soon.”
The new stadium has hosted two test events since Moyes’ return to the club in January - an Under-18s game against Wigan Athletic U18s and an U21s match against Bolton Wanderers B. A third test event is planned ahead of the club’s move in the summer, pending safety approvals.
