Everton v Manchester City 1991/92

 

City Coton, Reid, Pointon, I Brightwell, Vonk, Curle, White, Sheron, Quinn, Simpson, McMahon – Subs Clarke(81), Megson(71)

Everton Southall, Jackson, Harper, Ebbrell, Ablett, Keown, Nevin, Beardsley, Barlow, Ward, Beagrie – subs Warzycha(70), Jenkins(80)

FROM THE PRESS BOX

IAN HARGRAVES WRITING IN THE LIVERPOOL ECHO 21ST APRIL 1992
In view of the way Everton’s season has gone, it was almost inevitable that this latest meeting of the Blues past and present would end with Howard Kendall’s men bemoaning their failure to turn half chances into goals.
Thanks to the assistance of a Dutch Defender, Michel Vonk, who played as though standing on a sheet of ice, they had enough openings to win at least two matches, only to fail through a compilation of fine goalkeeping and inexperience.
Tony Coton has done so well this season that he is generally regarded as England’s goalkeeper of the year, if not Britain’s, and he lived up to his reputation saving three times from the excellent Peter Beardsley, as well as from Peter Beagrie and Everton debutant, Stuart Barlow…
…The youngster showed real pace and linked with his teammates much better than the man he replaced, Mo Johnston, so it is to be hoped that he’s given a few more first team outings. At 23 time is hardly on his side if he is to establish himself.
On yet another occasion Coton was saved by an upright, which intercepted a lovely curling shot by the luckless Beardsley, so it can be seen that although beaten by the odd goal in three, the Blues were far from disgraced.
In view of the long running controversy over the urgent need for a big striker at Goodison, it was interesting to read Kendall’s programme comments, to the effect that he, too, would like a big man, provided he is also a competent footballer.
That opinion must have been reinforced by what happened on the pitch, for the towering Niall Quinn, whom Kendall signed for City when manager at Maine Road, underlined his value by scoring both City goals.
The first, created by the Blues old adversary Steve McMahon, came inside the first 90 seconds, and was due to the length of the Irishman’s leg, which enabled him to reach a through ball fractionally before Neville Southall, and lift it over him into the net. His second in the 23rd minute contained a suggestion of offside, and followed the neatest of buildups between David White, Mike Sheron, and Quinn
In between the Lively Pat Nevin had equalised for the Blues, turning in barely cross after vonk had fallen over for the first and certainly not the last time, City had other good chances, notably when Gary Ablett somehow got his head in the way of a real screamer from Sheron which was heading for goal.
Barlow’s appearance was his first full one for the club, and another young man, Ian Jenkins was also given his first chance when brought on in place of Matt Jackson, nine minutes from time. The 19 year old showed plenty of pace and confidence but occasionally his inexperience showed…
…Despite the result, which means Everton have won only one of their last nine home games in the League and claimed just eight points, it was significant that the Goodison crowd Applauded both teams off the pitch at the end.