16th April 2001
EVERTON (1) 2 (Ferguson 42, Unsworth pen 83)
LIVERPOOL (1) 3 (Heskey 5, Babbel 58, McAllister 90)
EVERTON: Gerrard; Watson (Pistone), Gough (Alexandersson), Weir, Unsworth, Ball; Xavier, Nyarko, Gemmill; Campbell, Ferguson
LIVERPOOL: Westerveld; Babbel, Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher; Smicer, Hamann, Biscan, McAllister; Heskey, Fowler (Vignal)
When Liverpool turned up at Goodison Park in 2001 they were chasing honours on three front. They had already picked up the Worthington Cup beating Birmingham on penalties, and were still in the UEFA and FA Cups. They were also chasing a top four finish for Champions League qualification. Everton were back in 15th and desperate for points to continue their Premier League status. The fixture pile-up was such for Liverpool that they were embarking on 5 games in 12 days. They’d have a UEFA Cup Semi-Final 2nd leg against Barcelona coming up three days after this clash.
Just 5 minutes into the game a ball knocked forward by Hamann saw Heskey able to run clear of the defence and as Gerrard came out, Heskey finished in style for the opening goal of the game. Both sides has chances to add to the scoring but it took until just before half-time when Ferguson headed on a long ball from midfield and as Hyypia and Henchoz combined to stop Scott Gemmill, the ball broke for Ferguson to drill it home for the equaliser.
1-1 at the break and the game was getting tense. Midway through the second half, Everton had a free-kick which Liverpool kept out and the ball dropped to Hamann who turned and sent Fowler away down the left and his ball into the box was missed by Smicer and there was Markus Babbel up from right back to fire the ball home to put the visitors back in front. Liverpool had just been beaten by Leeds United to find themselves 6pts behind them in the chase for 4th place and they were desperate for the points.
Liverpool attacked again on the hour and Smicer tried to play Fowler in, but he appeared to be impeded by Gough. Referee Jeff Winter pointed to the spot, for what appeared to be a dubious penalty. Fowler took responsibility for the kick but hit the post. Everton pressed forward as they needed the points too, and as one cross came in, Hyypia was penalised for holding Ferguson and Winter again pointed to the spot. There were just 7 minutes left and David Unsworth made no mistake from the spot and Liverpool were looking like they’d thrown it away.
Liverpool were desperate for a way to force a win but chance after chance went begging. Deep into injury time, Gregory Vignal surged forward to be held back by Alexandersson and Liverpool were awarded a free-kick about 45 yards out. McAllister elected to take it as the players grouped around the edge of the box on the right-hand side. McAllister looked for all the world like he would float a ball into the area, and with the Everton keeper, Gerrard, expecting just that, he hit a dipping shot straight inside the keeper’s right-hand post for a dramatic winner in the 4th minute of stoppage time.
It was a spiteful game with Everton having 6 players booked and Liverpool had Biscan receive his marching orders after 78 minutes. But the points were crucial as Liverpool went onto the claim 3rd place, as well as win the FA Cup and UEFA Cup in a memorable season. Everton ended two places above the relegation zone although their margin of 8pts gave them more comfort than the position would suggest.