1988 - European Championships

The eighth European Championships were held in West Germany.  This was the second time the country had held a major international tournament after hosting the 1974 World Cup.  They won that tournament and hopes were high of a repeat performance this time round.

After the successful addition of a Semi-Final stage four years previously, UEFA decided not to tinker with the format.  The eight qualifiers were drawn into the following groups;

GROUP A: West Germany, Italy, Denmark, Spain

GROUP B: England, Republic of Ireland, Netherlands, USSR

England, Italy and Netherlands all missed the 1984 tournament and were desperate to make an impression this time.  Republic of Ireland were in a major tournament for the first time.

The tournament will be remembered for the Dutch finally succeeded in a major international competition.  Runners-up in the World Cups of 1974 and 1978, they went one better this time.  The hosts expected to win, but fell at the Semis and USSR were the surprise of the tournament.

 

GROUP A

10 June 1988, Rheindstadion, Dusseldorf, 62,552

WEST GERMANY   (0)   1   (Brehme 55)

ITALY   (0)   1   (Mancini 52)

West Germany: Immel; Buchwald, Kohler, Herget, Brehme (Eckstein); Littbarski, Matthaus, Thon, Berthold; Voller (Borowka), Klinsmann

Italy: Zenga; Ferri, F Baresi, Bergomi, Maldini; De Napoli (Altobelli), Ancelotti, Giannini, Donadoni; Mancini, Vialli (De Agostini)

The opening game in Dusseldorf was a potential classic, a repeat of the 1982 World Cup Final.  It was no classic but a hard-fought game.  No goals in the first 45 minutes but soon after the re-start, an error in the German defence saw Donadoni set Roberto Mancini free on the right and his low shot put Italy in front.  It was Mancini’s first international goal.  But the lead lasted for just three minutes when Zenga, the Italian keeper, was penalised for taking too many steps whilst holding the ball.  The free-kick was passed to Andreas Brehme and his deflected goal levelled things up for the home side.  The Italians seemed to settle for a draw and so the two shared the spoils.

11 June 1988, Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover, 55,707

DENMARK   (1)   2   (Laudrup 24, Poulsen 82)

SPAIN   (1)   3   (Michel 5, Butragueno 52, Gordillo 67)

Denmark: Rasmussen; Sivabaek, Busk, M Olsen (L Olsen), Nielsen; Heintze, Helt (Jensen), Lerby; Laudrup, Poulsen, Elkjaer

Spain: Zubizarreta; Renones, Munoz, Andrinua, Camacho; Sanchis, Gallego, Bakero, Gordillo; Butragueno, Michel

This was a repeat of the 1984 Semi-Final when Spain won after a shootout.  Spain had also thrashed the Danes, 5-1 in the Second Round of the 1986 World Cup.  They took an early lead this time round when Michel put them in front after just five minutes.  Michael Laudrup equalised twenty minutes later with a fine goal.  Michel then missed an opportunity to put Spain back in front when he missed a penalty.  They weren’t deterred as Butragueno made no mistake soon after, although there was a hint of offside.  On sixty seven minutes, Gordillo curled a free-kick into the net and Spain were now 3-1 up.  Flemming Povlsen then got a consolation, but it was purely that and Spain had got off to a great start.

14^th June 1988, Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen, 64,812

WEST GERMANY   (1)   2   (Klinsmann 10, Thon 85)

DENMARK   (0)   0

West Germany: Immel; Buchwald (Borowka), Kohler, Herget, Brehme; Litbarski, Matthaus, Thon, Rolff; Voller (Mill), Klinsmann

Denmark: Schmeichel; Sivebaek, M Olsen, L Olsen, Nielsen; Vilfort (Berggreen), Heintze, Lerby; Laudrup (Eriksen), Elkjaer, Poulsen  

Four days after their first game, the hosts travelled to Gelsenkirchen to meet Denmark.  The Danes needed to bounce back after their opening defeat, but things started badly when Jurgen Klinnsmann put the home side in front in the opening ten minutes.  Although the Germans were well in control, Denmark were technically still in the game with five minutes to go, but Olaf Thon headed in Littbarski’s corner and West Germany were up and running with their first win of the tournament. For Denmark it was the bus home.

14 June 1988, Waldstadion, Frankfurt, 47,506

ITALY   (0)   1   (Vialli 73)

SPAIN   (0)   0

Italy: Zenga; Ferri, F Baresi, Bergomi, Maldini; De Napoli, Ancelotti, Giannini, Donadoni; Mancini (Altobelli), Vialli (De Agostini)

Spain: Zubizarreta; Renones, Andrinua, Munoz, Sanchis; Bakero, Gallego (Vazquez), Soler, Gordillo; Butragueno, Michel (Bergiristain)

In Frankfurt, Italy and Spain fought a tight battle with neither side prepared to give an inch.  These two sides met in the 1986 Under-21 European Championships and Spain won on penalties.  Seventeen players who were on show that day, were in opposition again.  The game was decided by a goal in the 73^rd minute from Gianluca Vialli.  Italy now joined West Germany as the only unbeaten sides in the group.  Spain would need to beat the Germans in their final game to go through.

17 June 1988, Olympiastadion, Munich, 63,802

WEST GERMANY   (1)   2   (Voller 29, 51)

SPAIN   (0)   0

West Germany: Immel; Brehme, Kohler, Herget, Borowka; Littbarski (Wuttke), Matthaus, Thon, Rolff; Voller, Klinsmann (Mill)

Spain: Zubizarreta; Renones, Andrinua, Munoz, Camacho; Sanchis, Bakero, Gordillo, Vazquez; Butragueno (Salinas), Michel

In Munich, West Germany put together their best performance of the tournament so far.  Rudi Voller scored both goals in this win.  They didn’t find out they’d won the group until the final whistle, but then they only had themselves to blame after their ‘arrangement’ with Austria in 1982.

17 June 1988, Mungersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, 53,951

ITALY   (0)   2   (Altobelli 67, De Agostini 87)

DENMARK   (0)   0

Italy: Zenga; Ferri, F Baresi, Bergomi, Maldini; De Napoli, Ancelotti, Giannini, Donadoni (De Agostini); Mancini (Altobelli), Vialli

Denmark: Schmeichel; Heintze, M Olsen (Bergreen), L Olsen, Nielsen; Frimann (Vilfort), Jensen, Kristensen; Laudrup, Poulsen, Eriksen

Italy compounded Denmark’s misery in Cologne when they brushed them aside with goals from Altobelli and De Agostini.  With the Germans winning 2-0 against Spain, Italy needed to win by three goals, but they’d done enough to get to the Semi-Finals.

GROUP B

12 June 1988, Neckarstadion, Stuttgart, 51,373

ENGLAND   (0)   0

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND   (1)   1   (Houghton 6)

England: Shilton; Stevens, Wright, Adams, Sansom; Waddle, Webb (Hoddle), Robson; Beardsley (Hateley), Lineker, Barnes

Rep Ireland: Bonner; Morris, Moran, McCarthy, Hughton; Houghton, McGrath, Whelan, Galvin (Sheedy); Aldridge, Stapleton (Quinn)

This was an eagerly anticipated meeting as England looked to get their campaign off to a good start against a side making their first appearance in the competition.  Ireland were managed by Jack Charlton, a member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning side.  Six minutes in and a long ball into England’s penalty area, saw Kenny Sansom make a mess of the clearance and Ray Houghton’s header looped over Peter Shilton, and against the odds the Irish were in front.

England then spent the remainder of the game laying siege to the Irish goal but Packy Bonner was in fine form and made a string of fine saves to thwart Lineker, Barnes and Beardsley.  In the end, the Irish hung on to claim a famous victory and England now knew they had an uphill task.

12 June 1988, Mungersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, 54,336

NETHERLANDS   (0)   0

USSR   (0)   1   (Rats 52)

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Tiggelen, R Koeman, Rijkaard, van Aerle; van’t Schip, Bosman, Wouters, Muhren; Gullit, Vanenberg (van Basten)  

USSR: Dasaev; Besonov, Demianenko, Kuznetsov, Khidiyatullin; Protasov, Belanov (Aleinikov), Zavarov (Sulakvelidze), Lytovchenko; Rats, Mikhailychenko

After England’s defeat earlier in the day, the Dutch could claim an early advantage.  Having missed the 1982 and 1986 World Cups as well as the 1984 European Championships, the Dutch were keen to make an impression this time round.  After a goalless first period the game changed when Rats and Belanov combined to put Rats through and he opened the scoring.  The Dutch then reverted to the long ball to try and find a way back into the game, but the Russians held on and the second upset of the day was complete.

15 June 1988, Rheinstadion, Dusseldorf, 63,940

ENGLAND   (0)   1   (Robson 58)

NETHERLANDS   (1)   3   (van Basten 44, 71, 75)

England: Shilton; Stevens, Wright, Adams, Sansom; Steven (Waddle), Robson, Hoddle; Beardsley (Hateley), Lineker, Barnes

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Tiggelen, R Koeman, Rijkaard, van Aerle; E Koeman, Wouters, Muhren; Vanenberg (Kieft), Gullit, van Basten (Suvrijn)

England moved on to Dusseldorf to a game against the Dutch which neither side could afford to lose.  England started brightly and both Lineker and Hoddle hit the woodwork, but with a minute to go before half-time Marco van Basten put Netherlands in front.

Early in the 2^nd half, Bryan Robson and Gary Lineker exchanged passes and Robson’s shot rebounded off the keeper and back onto Robson and into the net.  The England fans went wild, and hoped their side were galvanised into a achieving a vital win.  But the game was level until the 71^st minute when van Basten scored his 2^nd of the game.  The Rheinstadion was a sea of orange and the Dutch victory was rounded off when van Basten completed his hat-trick from a Koeman corner.  England were out.  They had been impressive in qualification but now it was all over after just 180 minutes football.

15 June 1986, Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover, 38,308

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND   (1)   1   (Whelan 38)

USSR   (0)   1   (Protasov 74)

Republic Ireland: Bonner; Morris, McCarthy, Moran, Hughton; Houghton, Whelan, Sheedy, Galvin; Aldridge, Stapleton (Cascarino)

USSR: Dasaev (Chanov); Demianenko, Khidiyatullin, Kuznetsov, Rats; Zavarov, Belanov, Aleinikov, Sulakvelidze (Gotsmanov); Protasov, Mikhailichenko

After England’s defeat both sides knew a draw would be enough.  The Irish, buoyed by their opening game victory, were the more inventive but they took 38 minutes to break through the Soviet defence.  Ronnie Whelan got the goal and the Irish really partied.  They held the lead until the final fifteen minutes when Belanov put Protasov through and his shot went under Bonner.  The game ended all-square and now Ireland knew a draw against Netherlands would be enough to get them to the Semis.

18 June 1988, Waldstadion, Frankfurt, 48,335

ENGLAND   (1)   1   (Adams 16)

USSR   (2)   3   (Aleinikov 3, Mikhailichenko 28, Pasulko 73)

England: Woods; Stevens, Watson, Adams, Sansom; Steven, Robson, McMahon (Webb), Hoddle; Lineker (Hateley), Barnes

USSR: Dasaev; Besonov, Khidiyatullin, Kuznetsov, Lytovchenko; Belanov (Pasulko), Zavarov (Gotsmanov); Mikhailichenko, Protasov, Aleinikov

England fans moved onto Frankfurt to try and rescue some consolation from a immensely disappointing campaign.  USSR only needed a draw and couldn’t believe their luck when Hoddle gifted them the first goal as he passed straight to Aleinikov who waltzed past a non-existent defence to put USSR in the lead.  Tony Adams was an unlikely scorer of England’s equaliser in the 16^th minute.  But this was a temporary aberration as England’s defence just seemed incapable of repelling any attack and twenty-eight minutes in and Mikhailichenko arrived unmarked in the box to put the Soviet’s back in front.

Pasulko completed the misery in the 73^rd minute and England went home three defeats from three matches.  USSR, on the other hand, had won the group.

18 June1988, Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen, 64,731

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND   (0)   0

NETHERLANDS   (0)   1   (Kieft 82)

Rep Ireland: Bonner; Morris (Sheedy), McCarthy, Moran, Hughton; Houghton, McGrath, Whelan, Galvin; Stapleton (Cascarino), Aldridge

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Tiggelen, Rijkaard, van Aerle; Wouters (E Koeman), Gullit, Muhren (Bosman); Vanenberg, van Basten, Kieft

The Irish had their own chance to win the group if they could beat Netherlands.  Paul McGrath hit the post in the first half as both teams looked to create chances but also make sure they didn’t lose.  Into the final ten minutes and Ronald Koeman volleyed into the ground, and as the ball bounced back up Wim Kieft to glance a header which looked as if it was going wide but the spin on the ball just took it back inside the post.  It was a freaky goal and in the end, it was decided the match.  It sent the Republic back home but they certainly weren’t disgraced.  Netherlands ended second in the group.

SEMI-FINALS

21 June 1988, Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, 61,330

WEST GERMANY   (0)   1   (Matthaus 55 pen)

NETHERLANDS   (0)   2   (R Koeman 74 pen, van Basten 88)

West Germany: Immel; Borowka, Kohler, Herget (Pflugler), Brehme; Matthaus, Thon, Rolff, Mill (Littbarski); Voller, Klinsmann

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Aerle, R Koeman, Rijkaard, van Tiggelen; Wouters, E Koeman (Suvrijn), Muhren (Kieft); Vanenberg, Gullit, van Basten

These two rivals met in Hamburg.  It was a repeat of the 1974 World Cup Final which was also held on German soil.  The Dutch were determined not to repeat the same scoreline.  The first half included few chances, but the second half soon came to life.  As in 1974 there were two penalties.  Lotthar Matthaus put the home side in front from the spot ten minutes into the half, and then Ronald Koeman equalised with his kick in the 74^th minute.  The game looked to be heading for extra time until, with two minutes to go, Marco van Basten grabbed the winner for the Netherlands. 

West Germany had hoped to match France in 1984 and win on home soil, but the Dutch spoiled the party.

22 June 1988, Neckarstadion, Stuttgart, 61,606

USSR   (0)   2   (Litovchenko 58, Protasov 62)

ITALY   (0)   0

USSR: Dasaev; Kuznetsov, Khidiyatullin, Besonov (Demianenko), Rats; Zavarov, Litovchenko, Gotsmanov; Mikhailichenko, Protasov, Aleinikov

Italy: Zenga; Ferri, Bergomi, F Baresi, Maldini (De Agostini); De Napoli, Ancelotti, Giannini, Donadoni; Mancini (Altobelli), Vialli

Both these countries went out in the Second Round at the 1986 World Cup and so were keen to progress as far as they could at this tournament.  The first half failed to produce a goal but as the hour approached Litovchenko opened the scoring after good work from Mikhailichenko.  Four minutes later they had doubled their lead when Protasov made it 2-0.  Italy pressed to get back into the game but the Soviets were far too strong and were through to their fourth ever European Final.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 1988

25 June 1988

NETHERLANDS   (1)   2   (Gullit 32, van Basten 54)

USSR   (0)   0

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Tiggelen, Rijkaard, R Koeman, van Aerle; Wouters, E Koeman, Muhren; Vanenberg, Gullit, van Basten

USSR: Dasaev; Demyanenko, Khidiyatullin, Lytovchenko, Gotsmanov; Zavarov, Mikhailichenko, Rats; Belanov, Protasov, Aleinikov  

The Dutch really believed this was their time.  Their first international tournament since 1980 and after losing in both the 1974 and 1978 World Cup Finals, they thought this was their chance to make amends.  USSR were in their fourth European Championship Final.  They won in 1960 but were beaten in 1964 and 1972.

The Dutch were overwhelming favourites due to players like Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Erwin and Ronald Koeman and Frank Rijkaard.  They seemed to start nervously but on the half-hour a cross from the left saw Gullit unmarked in the area and his bullet header beat Dasaev.  Netherlands lead 1-0 at half-time, but you always felt the USSR could find a way back.  Ten minutes into the second half and the Dutch scored the goal which confirmed their name on the trophy and what a goal it was.  Many who saw it still recall the technique required to control the shot.  Marco van Basten was positioned in the Soviet area around the right-hand edge of the six-yard area.  Arnold Muhren, once of Ipswich and Man Utd, crossed from the left into the Soviet area, and the ball fell over van Basten’s right shoulder as he turned away from the goal.  As the ball fell, van Basten caught it on the volley with his right foot and it looped over Dasaev and into the left hand corner of the Soviet net.  It was a goal to grace any final anywhere and it rather proved this was to be the Netherlands year.

The Soviets had a boost when van Breukelen was adjudged to have brought down Gotsmanov in the area, although the keeper looked to be knocking the ball towards the corner flag and the Gotsmanov appeared simply to fall over him.  But the referee pointed to the spot.  Igor Belanov stepped up but van Breukelen guessed right and saved the kick. More evidence it was to be a Dutch year.

USSR failed to make an impression after that and the Dutch had won.  They had played some of the best football during the tournament and in van Basten and Gullit probably had two of the best players in Europe at that time. 

CONCLUSION

As in the last three tournaments, the team who had played the best football won the trophy.  Netherlands bounced back from losing their opening game, ironically against USSR , the side they eventually beat in the Final.  West Germany fully expected to lift the trophy on home soil, they appeared in three successive Euro Finals in 1972, 1976 and 1980, but had missed out in the next two tournaments.

Italy continued their rebuilding after the disaster of not qualifying in 1984, USSR had reached their fourth Final yet had still only won one of them.  England had also recovered from the failure to qualify for France ’84, but their resurgence in the World Cup in ’86, could not be matched here.  Spain were expecting good things after they reached the Quarter-Finals in Mexico ’86, and were losing finalists in France ’84, but they had come to rely on Butragueno too much and he had a disappointing tournament.  Ireland were the breath of fresh air, in their first ever international tournament they did not disgrace themselves and only a late, freak goal by the eventual champions, denied them a Semi-Final place.  Denmark, were in competition with England for the most feeble performance, although England could point to their domination of the Ireland game and the period when they had Netherlands on the rack.  The only time Denmark were matched their opponents in any of their games was prior to kick-off.

Overall, the tournament was a success and, as you’d expect from the Germans, it was well organised.  There was crowd trouble but not during any of the matches.  Gradually this tournament was becoming an important part of the international calendar.

Five Favourite Wins Against - Everton at Home

Continuing the series where I look back at my five favourite wins the Liverpool’s next opponents.  This weekend Liverpool play the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.  Here are my five favourite wins from past encounters.

6^th November 1983

LIVERPOOL   (1)   3   (Rush 16, Robinson 60, Nicol 85)

EVERTON   (0)   0  

LIVERPOOL: Grobbelaar; Neal, Hansen, Lawrenson, Kennedy; Lee, Souness, Nicol; Robinson, Rush, Dalglish

EVERTON: Southall; Harper, Ratcliffe, Higgins, Bailey; Steven, Irvine, King, Sheedy; Heath, Sharp

This game was played on a Sunday and Liverpool stood the chance of going top of the table after Manchester United lost the day before.  Everton were down in 16^th having scored fewer goals than any other side in the division.

After quarter of an hour, Hansen brought the play forward passing to Dalglish just inside his own half on the left.  Dalglish played a beautifully weighted pass splitting Harper and Ratcliffe for Nicol to run onto.  Nicol then beat Harper down by the bye-line and his low cross was only parried by Southall and Rush was on hand to fire the ball home.  Rush had got the only goal in Bilbao in midweek in the European Cup, and had scored 5 goals against Luton the last time Liverpool were at home.

Neither side created many real clear-cut chances for the rest of the half but on the hour Grobbelaar picked out a cross easily enough and then his long throw sent Dalglish on his way down the left.  Dalglish moved infield finding Lee on the right. His cross was headed out for a corner.  Dalglish was becoming more and more influential and as Liverpool patiently waited for an opening, Souness played Dalglish in on the right edge of the area, just as he had done for many years, and his low cross had Rush trying to grab his second at the near post.  The ball bounced off the post and across the goal where Robinson was unmarked at the back post to turn the ball in.

Graeme Sharp tried to chip Grobbelaar from outside the area but the ball landed on the bar.  Then as they were closing the game out, Dalglish found Rush on the right, who then turned it back for Lawrenson to cross.  His cross was met by Nicol for the third goal.  The whole performance was very comfortable as Liverpool played the ball about at will.

Liverpool were back on top of the table and they ended up winning in Joe Fagan’s first season in charge.  They also won the League Cup and their fourth European Cup.  Everton recovered from their poor start.  They were 16^th on Boxing Day and went onto finish 7^th.

25^th April 1987

LIVERPOOL   (2)   3   (McMahon 9, Rush 45, 85)

EVERTON (1)   1   (Sheedy 15)

LIVERPOOL: Hooper; Venison, Gillespie, Hansen, Ablett; Johnston, Molby, Spackman, McMahon, Whelan; Rush

EVERTON: Southall; Stevens, Watson, Ratcliffe, Power; Steven, Reid, Snodin, Sheedy; Heath, Clarke

When Everton arrived for the derby in 1987 they were top of the league by 6pts with Liverpool in 2^nd.  Liverpool had played a game more and only had 3 more to go after this one, so a win was vital.

Everton had won their last 7 and were on fire, conceding just twice during that run and had lost just once in their last 11.  This run had seen them overhaul Liverpool who were leading in mid-March.  They had won just once in their last 5, losing the other 4.  Having won the double the year before they were struggling to hold onto their League title.

Anfield was packed, with thousands locked outside, and the game belonged to Ian Rush.  He equalled Dixie Dean’s record of 19 goals in Merseyside derbies, as Liverpool managed to keep the title race alive.  This was the period when Liverpool and Everton dominated English football, sharing nearly all the trophies between them. 

Nine minutes in and Ablett drove down the right, exchanging passes with Rush before the Welshman flicked the ball to McMahon who unleashed an unstoppable shot which left Southall helpless.  The move had been stunning in its simplicity but had also involved most of the Liverpool team.  But 6 minutes later Everton were level.  They had a free-kick just outside the area which Kevin Sheedy curled beautifully over the wall and past Hooper.  Two goals in the opening 15 minutes and from players playing against their old clubs.

The rest of the half belonged to Everton who played, as Howard Kendall remarked “one of our best performances at Anfield”.  But they were unable to take the lead and right on half-time Johnston’s left wing corner was headed home by Rush, as Southall hardly moved.  2-1 at the break but Everton still pressed in the second half with Heath and Clarke forcing Hooper into good saves.  73 minutes in and Spackman threaded the ball through to Rush who was one-on-one with Southall.  The Everton keeper came out on top on that occasion, but 11 minutes later Rush had the last laugh.  A cross by Ablett had Rush bearing down on the Everton goal again and this time he managed to force the ball over the keeper for a 3-1 win.

It prolonged the destination of the title for just a short while.  Liverpool then lost at Coventry and when Everton won at Norwich on 4^th May they were crowned Champions for the second time in three years, eventually winning the title by 9pts from Liverpool in 2^nd.

31^st August 1991

LIVERPOOL   (2)   3   (Burrows 1, Saunders 15, Houghton 62)

EVERTON   (0)   1   (Newell 76) 

LIVERPOOL: Grobbelaar; Nicol, Tanner, Ablett, Burrows; Houghton, McMahon, Whelan (Marsh); McManaman, Saunders, Walters (Rosenthal)

EVERTON: Southall; Harper, Watson, Keown (Ratcliffe), Ebbrell; Ward, McDonald, Sheedy; Beardsley, Cottee (Warzycha), Newell

This would be the last Merseyside derby at Anfield in the old First Division.  The two club met with completely opposite records in the early part of the season.  Liverpool were 3-1-1 and Everton 1-1-3.  Liverpool had won all 3 home matches and Everton had lost all 3 of their away trips.

Returning to Anfield for the first time was Peter Beardsley, once a title winner in red, he’d moved across Stanley Park for the blue of Everton.  He got a great reception from The Kop before the match, which was an illustration of, not only how they still held him in their hearts, but how they were still disappointed Graeme Souness had let him go.  Souness had taken over from Kenny Dalglish last season and the team had a distinctly different feel about it, with several youngsters beginning to make their mark.

One youngster, Steve McManaman, was involved in the opening goal barely 60 seconds after kick-off.  His play down the right saw Nicol cross the ball into the Everton box where Saunders was beaten to the ball.  Everton hadn’t fully cleared it when it fell to David Burrows, who’d joined the attack from left-back.  Twenty yards out, he took one touch and then fired a rasping shot which gave Southall no chance.  Liverpool were in front.

It was Burrows first goal for Liverpool and had come after just 48 seconds from the kick-off.  15 minutes later he was involved in the move which doubled the home side’s lead.  McManaman drifted out to the left to receive the pass from Burrows, and he found Walters hugging the left touchline.  Walters crossed to the far post where Dean Saunders, who’d replaced Beardsley at Anfield, took the ball down on his chest and then fired a low shot which beat Southall on his near post and Liverpool were 2 goals to the good.

Everton had more of the play during the first 45 minutes, but were unable to create many meaningful chances and Liverpool were comfortable for their lead at the break.  Midway through the second half Liverpool produced the sort of move they’d done every week under the previous regime.  McMahon and Houghton were involved in midfield and then Burrows was the outlet on the left.  As red shirts moved about to create space, Ray Houghton made one of his legendary late runs into space and Burrows had the simple task of laying the ball into his path and Houghton beat Southall at his near post.  It looked as if the home side would run riot, but they knew the points were safe and the opponent beaten. 

With still 15 minutes to be played it was quite appropriate for Beardsley to make his mark on the game.  His lob over the defence for Mike Newell gave the Everton striker a clear run on goal and his low shot beat Grobbelaar.  It was no more than a consolation and Liverpool were worthy winners.

Liverpool ended 6^th in the League won by Leeds United.  They won the FA Cup to give Souness his only trophy in English football.  Everton finished 12^th.

25^th March 2006

LIVERPOOL   (1)   3   (Neville og 45, Garcia 47, Kewell 84)

EVERTON   (0)   1   (Cahill 61)

LIVERPOOL: Reina; Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise; Garcia, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso; Crouch (Morientes), Kewell (Warnock)

EVERTON: Wright; Naysmith, Stubbs, Weir, Hibbert; Neville, Osman, Cahill, Kilbane (van der Meyde); McFadden (Ferguson), Beattie

This particular derby was a intense encounter, but then many of them are.  Liverpool were 3^rd in the table coming into the game with Everton down in 12^th.  Since they lost 1-3 to Liverpool just after Christmas, Everton had been beaten just once in their last 11 games.  Liverpool had lost just once in their last 7 matches, with only Arsenal managing to score more than once against them.

The two derbies that season yielded 17 yellow cards and 4 red cards, with 2 in each match.  On this occasion it was Steven Gerrard and Andy van der Meyde who were given their marching orders.  Gerrard had been booked for kicking the ball away after a foul, but then scythed down Kevin Kilbane and left the referee with little option than to issue a second yellow.  Everton manager David Moyes admitted they didn’t play well against 10 men.  Liverpool kept using Crouch’s height as a target and Everton appeared increasingly inept at dealing with it.

Just on half-time, the deadlock was broken.  Xabi Alonso’s corner was headed into his own net by Phil Neville.  Early in the second half Liverpool doubled their lead.  Crouch got up above Stubbs to head the ball on for Luis Garcia to lob Richard Wright.  Tim Cahill grabbed a goal back for the visitors as he scored from Osman’s corner.  But then another Osman corner saw the second dismissal of the day when van der Meyde was sent-off for barging Alonso.

With six minutes remaining Harry Kewell finished things off as he accepted Steve Finnan’s pass and calmly beat Wright.  Liverpool ended the season in 3^rd place with Everton staying in 12^th.

13^th March 2012

LIVERPOOL   (1)   3   (Gerrard 34, 51, 90)

EVERTON   (0)   0   

LIVERPOOL: Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique; Henderson (Kuyt), Gerrard, Spearing, Downing; Carroll, Suarez

EVERTON: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman (Drenthe), Rodwell, Fellaini, Pienaar; Stracqualursi (Osman), Anichebe (Jelavic)

When the two met at Anfield in March 2012 they were both preparing for FA Cup Quarter-Final matches the following weekend.  In the league both were underachieving with Liverpool 7^th and Everton two places below them.  It was 4 matches since Liverpool had won in the League, and you had to go back to the end of December to find a league win at Anfield for them, although this was only their 4^th home match in the league since then.  During that time they had lifted the League Cup against Cardiff.  Everton, on the other hand, were in much better shape.  Unbeaten in their last 7, although they’d gone 4 games since their last victory away from home.

The night belonged to Steven Gerrard.  He became the second highest goalscorer for Liverpool in Merseyside derbies, behind Ian Rush.  He was certainly ‘captain fantastic’ on this night as he put in a performance to haul his teammates towards 3pts.  This was also the occasion of David Moyes 10^th anniversary as Everton boss, but in all that time he still hadn’t beaten the neighbours.

Gerrard could’ve put Liverpool in front in the opening 10 minutes only for Howard to deny him.  But he wasn’t to be kept out for long and when Martin Kelly’s shot was blocked by Howard, the ball ran free and there was Gerrard to float the ball left-footed over the keeper and high into the net.  Liverpool had pressed and pressed and were good value for their lead at the break.

Suarez, busy as ever, gave Distin a torrid time down the right and cut back, but before he could get a shot in there was Gerrard to drive the ball home for a 2-goal lead early in the second half.  Liverpool were now rampant and keen to grind their opponents into the dirt.  Carroll and Kelly both went close but in injury time it was the skipper who crowned the night off. 

Substitute Drenthe slipped on the halfway line and Gerrard immediately pounced on the error.  He surged forward, with the visiting defence desperately retreating, and played the ball to his left for Suarez.  Suarez then cut back inside and laid the ball on for Gerrard to fire into the roof of the net and on his 400^th Premier League appearance for his club, Gerrard had capped off a great night with a fine hat-trick.

Liverpool went onto beat Everton again in the FA Cup Semi-Final, before losing to Chelsea in the Final.  Everton finished higher in the league, though, as they ended 7^th with Liverpool a place below them.

HEAD TO HEAD at Anfield

Matches: 94

Liverpool win: 40

Everton win: 23

Draws: 31

Liverpool goals: 142

Everton goals: 103