Everton vs Liverpool – From the Archives

A free-scoring Merseyside Derby which goes down as a classic.

In this edition of From the Archives, we look back at one of the greatest FA Cup games that have ever been witnessed, the fifth round replay between Everton and Liverpool back in February 1991.

Everton was managed by Howard Kendall who was three months into his second spell at the club. He had led them to the First Divison title back in 1985 and 1987 as well as the FA Cup back in 1984. The Toffees’ side included Welsh keeper Neville Southall and greats like: Dave Watson, Martin Keown, Graeme Sharp and Mike Newell.

Liverpool were lead by club legend Kenny Dalglish. The Scotsman had led the Reds to three League titles in 1986, 1988 and 1990 and they were going for their 19th title. Dalglish also led the side to FA Cup success back in 1986 and 1988, beating Everton on both occasions. So there was a want for revenge on the cards in this encounter at Goodison Park.

Liverpool’s starting line-up that night included the Zimbabwean keeper Bruce Grobbelaar and players such as: Steve Nichol, Jan Molby, as well a great frontline of John Barnes, Peter Beardsley and the great Ian Rush.

It was a thrilling start to the Merseyside Derby. One of the best chances of the first 35 minutes was when Southall was forced into a double save when he pushed Peter Beardsley’s shot into the path of Rush, which Southall cleared for a corner.

In the 37th minute, Kevin Ratcliffe attempted to play the ball but was dispossessed by Ian Rush, who ran in on goal but had his attempt cleared off the line by Andy Hinchcliffe. However, the ball fell to Beardsley, whose

John Barnes surrounded by Everton players Credit – Liverpool FC

volley deflected off Neville Southall into the back of the net. 1-0 Liverpool, and that’s how the first half would end.

Everton started the second half well and responded just three minutes after the break. Andy Hinchcliffe’s cross was met by the head of Graeme Sharp which Grobbelaar parried into the goal to make it 1-1.

Liverpool would find themselves back in front with 20 minutes left. Peter Beardsley picked up the ball after a pass from Glenn Hysen who got away from Pat Nevin and rifled his shot into the top corner of the net. His second of the game.

Just two minutes after going behind, Everton were back on level terms. Southall played a long ball which was flicked on by Mike Newell, a lack of communication between Steve Nichol and Grobbelaar meant Nichol played it past his keeper which was tapped home by Sharpe, for his second.

Then with thirteen minutes left, John Barnes put in a cross which forced Neville Southall to clear it away for a corner. A short corner played to Jan Molby, whose ball in found the towering head of Ian Rush, who put Liverpool ahead for the third time that evening.

The away side could have sealed it in the last few minutes. Once again Barnes put in a threating ball into the penalty area, but the ball fell too far for Rush to cling on to.

So many who were watching this thrilling contest must have thought that it would be another Cup victory for Liverpool over their fiercest rivals and were destined for a place in the Quarter-Finals, but that was not the case. A long ball was played from Martin Keown, that was flicked on by an Everton player and Tony Cottee, who was brought on a sub, got in behind the Liverpool back four to send the game into extra time.

So another 30 minutes to play, and the scoring did not end there. John Barnes’ balls into the box were proving a problem to the Everton defence and Southall. This time Barnes’ cross proved to loop over the heads of his teammate Rush and opponent Southall and find the top corner of the net. Liverpool were 4-3 ahead.

But if there’s one thing we’ve learnt from this match is that Everton refused to give up. A ball to Cottee was not intercepted, which allowed him to slide it past Grobbelaar into the bottom corner of the net. Cottee had rescued Everton again and the game finished a remarkable 4-4.

Tony Cottee’s equaliser against Liverpool
Credit – Liverpool Echo

The game went to a second replay in which Everton prevailed 1-0, however they would be knocked out in the Quarter-finals by West Ham.

For Liverpool, it would become a disaster of a season. This proved to be Kenny Dalglish’s last game as manager ending an incredible 14 years with the club. The 18-time Champions would also lose out on the league to Arsenal, ending their season trophyless. However former Anfield great Graeme Souness took over the reins at Anfield and guided the Reds to FA Cup success in 1992.