going over our old ground
Posted by Ian Marshall's Double in Everton | 21 March 2006
A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. Oscar Wilde
A quick look back at some Anfield memories from the 90s. Some bad, but mostly good, thanks in part to Joe Royle’s outstanding record against Liverpool.
Our story begins with heartbreak.
20/2/93 Over the Barlow – In a pretty tight game, second half sub Stuart Barlow, living up to his Jigsaw tag, goes to pieces on 3 separate occasion missing 3 one-on-ones in front of the expectant blues support. We were used to Barlow’s finishing being as solid and reliable as the New Wembley, but just to make things worse, the utterly crap Ronnie Rosenthal, yep, he of THAT miss, rattled in the winner in the last minute. Just makes you wanna cry.
13/3/94 The 30 Second Derby – A decent proportion of the Kop and all the Anfield Road end goes mental as the legendary Dave Watson rises majestically to head the blues in front. Within seconds, Rush scores one of the last, if not THE last, of his goals against Everton for them, and Blobby Fowler bags the winner. Conceding a goal whilst you are still celebrating yours is one the cruellest blows fickle fate can throw your way.
18/11/95 – Andrei’s Anfield – Kanchelskis bagged 15 goals that season but the 2 which stood out were that day. The second was a total classic, Limpar mesmerising 4 RS defenders before slotting in the ‘Tsar of the Signing on Fee’ to smash home past Calamity James. In front of the Kop as well. The first time the Blues had comprehensively outplayed the opposition at Anfield for a decade or so, a beautiful day.
20/11/96 Rooney’s debut – But only as mascot. Everton are up against it in the first half and go in one down. Royle shakes things around and a much more purposeful Everton come right back into, grabbing an equaliser through Gary Speed – it was quite a night for the deserters. This was actually a rearranged game with the original being postponed late due a torrential downpour on the Sunday. All those wasted flights from Oslo eh? This is a particularly pleasant memory, especially as a friend of Real Life Blues had purchased a season ticket voucher for 25 quid a few minutes before the postponement announcement rendered it worthless. Unlucky. By the way, can anyone remember when a game at Goodison was last postponed?
27/9/99 Our Sander and Our Franny – Probably the lamest fight ever seen on a football pitch, sees those 2 sent off. A shocking challenge from a kid call Gerrard led to another sending off, and that certainly taught him a lesson, we never saw anything like that from him again did we, just ask Gary Naysmith (by the way, Houllier described that one as a mistimed tackle!). Everton totally bossed the game, missing several chances to win by more than one nil. A sweet one-two between Campbell and Jeffers, gave Super Kev the chance to put us one up, and he did. Naturally, in front of the Kop and hoardes of RS fans, holding their scarves upside down as usual.
That’s all for now, more build up to follow plus a look at the FA Cup. And remember kids, however bad things get it could be worse, we could be Man City.
