Harrison Rimmer became the first-ever player to score at Everton’s new stadium on Monday evening – and fans were left stunned by his brave celebration.
Everton and Wigan Athletic’s Under-18 sides took part in a test event in front of around 10,000 Toffees supporters in what was the first time fans attended a game at the Bramley-Moore Dock site.
And there’s a saying amongst Everton fans that sums up this evening’s events. ‘Everton that’ is a term uttered by fans when unusual things happen all too often to the Merseyside-based club.
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On Monday evening, many supporters undoubtedly said those very words when Wigan’s Rimmer slotted home just 11 minutes into the game.
But it was what he did while celebrating that caught the attention of many. Rimmer was clearly overjoyed with what he had achieved and rightfully so.
In the moments after his strike, he turned to the South Stand where the Everton supporters were sitting and displayed six fingers.
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If you're unfamiliar with such a celebration, this has been used by several Liverpool-supporting footballers when scoring at grounds such as Manchester United’s Old Trafford and Goodison Park.
Of course, six is the number of European Cups/Champions League titles the Reds have won.
Some fans on social media saw the funny side but one inside the ground was less forgiving and could be heard screaming "breaking his f****** legs".
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One fan on X said: "Harrison Rimmer scoring the first goal at Everton’s new stadium giving it the “6 Times” gesture! Couldn't get more Everton."
Another added: "Turns out he’s a Liverpool fan."
While a third commented: "Harrison Rimmer of Wigan U18s scores the first goal at the new Everton stadium. Remember it for your pub quizzes!"
According to Wigan's website Rimmer is a "tough-tackling midfielder who can also operate at right-back" and has played for the Latics since he was 11 years of age as well as having "a real appetite to compete in both training and matches and is good both technically and physically". And given what he did on Monday, you could probably add the art of winding up Everton fans to his best attributes.
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Wigan added a second goal through Cole Simms six minutes after Rimmer's opener.
Topics: Everton, Wigan Athletic, Football, Liverpool
Luke Davies