777 presence at Luton clear after rocky week for Everton takeover as David Moyes spotted

Everton’s away end partied like a fanbase determined to make the most of a first game in years without the crushing pressure of a relegation fight.

The stoppage time assault from Luton Town would have been viewed through clasped fingers had there been anything riding on it but the jeopardy was gone after the heroics of last week.

This was still a feisty game though and there was plenty to talk about come the final whistle. Beyond the obvious narratives - including Ross Barkley’s complicated relationship with Everton - here are some moments of interest beyond the major headlines.

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Ashley Young riles up another set of supporters with cheeky goodbye

Ashley Young was engaged in his own battle with the Luton supporters throughout this contest. The hosts count Watford, where Young developed through the academy, as one of their biggest rivals and launched into a round of boos every time he touched the ball - though the same treatment was not given to another former Watford player, Abdoulaye Doucoure. The antagonism reached comic proportions, with Young booed off the pitch twice - first when he was wrongly announced as coming off and then when he eventually did get replaced by Seamus Coleman.

At one point the 38-year-old appeared to receive a dose of attention from different generations as he picked up a ball near the touchline to take a throw-in, agitated fans bending over the hoardings to make clear their views. The home supporters were able to gain double satisfaction with Elijah Adebayo’s equaliser because it was Young who the striker left on the ground as he collected a ball deep into the Everton box. But the reception clearly amused Young. As he walked towards the tunnel following the final whistle there was another volley from those around it to which Young, who essentially told Nottingham Forest supporters to ‘cry him a river’ after their penalty claims against him were dismissed, simply smiled, looked at them and waved.

A familiar face in the club lounge

Kenilworth Road is a stadium like no other, with the stands built into streets of terraced housing and former homes now bases for ticket offices, fast food joints and club hospitality entrances. Once inside it is just as quirky, with the media room, dressing rooms and hospitality lounges all packed in close proximity. It was in a packed function room during half-time that a well-known Everton figure of yesteryear could be found, with former Blues boss David Moyes spotted among the throng of supporters, dressing room staff, club officials and journalists trying to find their way through the maze of a football ground.

Everton supporters get to use chant aimed at them for so long

The configuration of the stadium made for a rousing atmosphere as the home supporters sought to boost their players’ chances of pulling off an escape from the bottom three, while an away end that had expected a nail biting six pointer was instead able to bask in the glory of safety having already been confirmed. It looked like a party in that Everton end, where just over 1,100 Blues took in a game that meant more for their opponents. Those in the away end had the luxury of singing ‘You’re going down’ to the home supporters, who quickly found their wit to refer to the club’s financial issues and yell back ‘You’re going bust’. The latest tranche of funding received by Everton this week by no means solves the serious issues at the club, but the fact neither chant should be true for Everton this season was a source of solace for a fanbase that has been challenged time and again in recent years.

777 presence at Kenilworth

That money came from 777, who still seem intent on convincing the Premier League they can be suitable owners of Everton despite struggles linked to a group that has spent seven months trying to get its deal over the line. What will happen is unclear and the entering of its airline Bonza into voluntary administration this week was a traumatic blow that reverberated on Merseyside. The group continued its presence at Everton matches despite the issues it is facing, however, with director of international accounting Keith Steele sitting a few seats down from Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell and interim chief executive Colin Chong.

Away end pick up memories and souvenirs

Those in the away end got a few further moments of satisfaction, including the opportunity to celebrate with Calvert-Lewin after his first half penalty - scored in front of them because James Tarkowski once again switched ends after the toss. At the end of the game Calvert-Lewin, Ben Godfrey and Beto gave their shirts to supporters who had made the journey to watch them. Off the cameras, as the teams came out, there was a lovely moment as Amadou Onana broke from his teammates and drifted to the travelling support, stopping to speak with young supporters on the front row - something he went back and did after the match.