Thousands of Everton supporters stayed inside Goodison Park to stage a protest against the running of the club - with some frustration later spilling onto the streets.
Campaigners remained in all four stands after the final whistle in a peaceful demonstration that underlined the strength of feeling among sections of the fanbase. Some unfurled banners, messages upon which included 'Kenwright & Co, it's time to go' and 'back the team, sack the regime'.
Stretches of gloomy silence were broken by the celebrations of the remaining away supporters after Southampton became the fourth side in a row to win at Goodison, as well as chants of 'sack the board' and 'you're not fit to run the club' from protesters. The demonstration later spilled onto the streets surrounding the ground, where fans unfurled banners amid a significant police presence in the area and with video footage showing supporters speaking with centre-back Yerry Mina.
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The defender was heard telling fans "I will give my life for this club". Mina seemingly had to get out of his car as he tried to leave the ground, with some supporters surrounding his vehicle. Cries of "let him leave" and "he's got a kid in his car" could be heard in one clip widely shared on social media.
Lines of police officers were pictured at exits around Goodison in the wake of the match, as players made their way out.
Those who were the subject of the planned protest were not present after the club said they had been advised against attending due to safety concerns. A statement released just hours before kick-off said this followed "malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club and increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour – including targeted physical aggression - at recent home matches." Club sources suggested this included threats to chairman Bill Kenwright and a physical attack on chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale.
The ECHO has approached Merseyside Police to ask whether reports of any incidents or safety fears had been shared with the force. It is understood the organisations are in liaison with each other but the force has not yet confirmed whether it received any formal complaints from the club.
Organisers of the 'sit-in' after this match had repeatedly called on those involved to be respectful and peaceful. The NSNOW group, its name a reference to the club motto, issued a statement on Friday urging that: "No fellow fans, club staff or stewards are abused physically or verbally throughout the matchday or online." The body, which has received the backing of dozens of fan organisations and supporter groups, immediately condemned "any threats to any Everton employee and/or officials and directors of the club".
The protest continued for more than half an hour after the final whistle as fans made their views clear. Following its conclusion, NSNOW posted on social media: "Thank you for today's immaculately conducted sit in. We will continue to support the team, but those responsible for the decline of our club, those that stayed away, their position is totally untenable. Our protest will continue to grow until change occurs."
Those behind it want majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri to "make sweeping changes at chair, board and executive levels" and "demands he brings in competent, experienced professionals who can reverse theclub's decline and make the necessary changes to make Everton competitive once more." Amid growing discontent among elements of the fanbase the club has stressed it is committed to engaging with supporters' views expressed through four meetings with the Everton Fan Advisory Board - though a second face to face session planned for Sunday has been cancelled due to security concerns.
Frustration has grown around the club with Everton facing a relegation battle for the second season in a row after one win in 11 league games and financial constraints undermining efforts to strengthen during a transfer window in which several rival clubs have already secured signings.
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