EVERTON 1 CITY 0
League Division 1
23rd December 1969
attendance 51,864
scorer Whittle(78)
Ref Kevin Howley replaced at half time by Mr I T Smith
City Corrigan, Book, Connor, Heslop, Booth, Oakes, Doyle, Summerbee, Young, Lee, Bowyer – sub Bowles(unused)
Everton West, Wright, Newton, Kendall, Labone, Jackson, Whittle, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Humphreys – sub Brown(81)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
A goal by Alan Whittle twelve minutes from time, sent Everton storming into a three point lead at the top ofthe First Division.
The fair haired forward finished off a Ball/Humphreys/Royle move for the only goal of the match, and a goal that Everton thoroughly deserved.
Everton dominated the game all through and Whittle was the man mainly responsible.
Joe Royle failed to give Everton the reward for 30 minutes of championship style play by missing his second penalty in successive games.
From the first minute when Royle poked a half chance narrowly over the bar, Everton pressured City with a show of power and skill as good as anything they have revealed all season.
Man responsible for much of it was Alan Whittle, deputy for injured right winger Jimmy Husband. He linked with Alan Ball to probe City’s back four.
Big Joe Corrigan, City’s goalkeeper, pounced at Whittle’s feet after he had burst past three men, then leapt high as a Ball volley flashed inches over the bar.
As George Heslop tripped Royle in the 29th minute, Everton seemed certain to get the goal they deserved. But Royle, who missed his first penalty of the season on Saturday when he put the ball too close to Derby’s goalkeeper, this time hit a post.
Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee, obviously keen to show what they could do, were unable to get the ball from their overworked defence,
There was a seventeen minute interval due to referee Kevin Howley being taken ill. He wanted to continue, but the doctor would not allow it.
Linesman Ian Smith, of Accrington took over, and Manchester referee Fred Nicholson, who was in the crowd, stepped in as linesman.
Royle, the First Division’s leading scorer, must have been relieved that he helped Whittle to the winner.
Midfield man Tommy Jackson won a tackle with City centre half Heslop, slipped the ball to Ball, who pushed it out to Humphreys.
The winger’s cross passed to the far side of City’s goal. Royle out-jumped two defenders to nod it back and Whittle swept the ball into the net from six yards.
DAVE HORRIDGE WRITING IN THE DAILY MIRROR 24TH DECEMBER 1969
9 years old, my dad took me. My first game at Goodison! Two of the top sides at that time. Everton became champions.
Moved from Barrow to Wirral in 1969. Had been to Holker St loads of times including in the Northern Floodlit League, but the buzz when I walked in and saw Goodison lit up-hooked for life. Sat on a crush barrier in what is now the main stand (then under construction). Unforgettable!
My first game too! Walking up the steps into the park end stand and seeing that beautiful bright green pitch…still gives me goosebumps what an atmosphere