The final whistle at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night brought that familiar sinking feeling. Another late goal conceded, another chance squandered, another case of what might have been against Manchester City.

But strip away the disappointment of Jeremy Doku's sublime equaliser and you're left with something far more encouraging than the scoreline suggests. Yes, it was the third costly stoppage time goal Everton have shipped in three weeks. Yes, errors at both ends cost them again. But this felt like a proper statement about what's possible at the new ground.

For about half an hour of that second half, Hill Dickinson Stadium was absolutely rocking. From the moment Iliman Ndiaye missed his first one-on-one to the devastating second when Doku's curler found the far post, the South Stand created a wall of noise that would have made Goodison proud.

The sequence was breathtaking. Thierno Barry levelled, Jake O'Brien put Everton ahead, then Barry made it three. City, for all their world class talent, looked shell-shocked. The players fed off that energy, using it as rocket fuel whilst doubt gripped the visitors despite their illustrious experience.

This wasn't a one-off either. The last three home fixtures have seen Chelsea, Liverpool and City visit, and each time the atmosphere has played its part. Against Chelsea, that electric start helped Everton get the goal their opening deserved. In the Merseyside derby, they missed several good chances and had a goal disallowed, but even then it took injuries to two key performers and a stoppage time strike to deny them a deserved point.

Monday felt different though. Without tifos, flag displays or coach welcomes, the atmosphere started more subdued, cowed by City's composed, ball-hogging opening. But the minute the players began to believe, the supporters made their presence felt. This felt more like Goodison under the lights than anything the new stadium had served up previously.

After months of fear that the move might come at severe cost in terms of atmosphere, Everton now have evidence that home is starting to feel like home. Dan Meis designed this place to create a wall of noise that bristled with hostility and passion, and Monday night proved he'd achieved that goal.

Central to building that support was the work of Tim Iroegbunam, Merlin Rohl and Barry. Their influence under such pressure in such a big match offers genuine encouragement. Iroegbunam has had a good season after difficult early moments and deserved his man of the match award. There's cruel irony that Doku's equaliser came in time added on because he was hurt, just like Virgil van Dijk's winner came in the extra minutes covering Jarrad Branthwaite being stretchered off.

Rohl was brilliant in that away win at Aston Villa in January but had barely been seen since, whilst Barry has endured some tough months on and off the pitch. For them to contribute so significantly is a major boost to hopes the wider squad is growing as this season progresses.

It needs to grow too. This is a squad in transition, coming from a very low base. The flaws remain obvious and some proved costly again on Monday. They need acknowledging and examining if Everton are to keep pushing forward.

But for all the understandable disappointment, there has to be awareness of positives when they emerge. This was an amazing comeback, in an amazing match, played in an amazing stadium, creating an amazing atmosphere from an amazing fanbase.

The anniversaries have just passed for those massive May results that clinched survival against Chelsea and Leicester City, with that 5-1 win at Brighton on the horizon too. This was another big performance on a big night in May, and whilst it may not carry Everton into Europe, it's a damn sight more enjoyable fighting for continental football than avoiding Tuesday nights in the Championship.

Monday night hurt, but it also hinted at something special brewing on the waterfront.