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Memory Lane - Swansea at Goodison

The Swans rare opponents in the top-flight

Swans rare opponents in the top-flight: Everton versus Swansea

Swansea City are extremely rare opponents for Everton as they visit Goodison Park for only the sixth time for a top-flight match. Swansea Town were formed in 1912 and adopted the more familiar Swansea City in 1969 which reflected Swansea’s new status as a city.

Swansea originally played at the Vetch field but in 2005 moved into the Liberty Stadium a move which was helped by the local council as it owned the Morfa Stadium and the council along with a local consortium helped to fund the circa £50m project.

Swansea became members of the newly formed Football League Division Three in 1920 and won promotion to the Football League Division Two in 1925. The following season Swansea found themselves in the national spotlight as they fought their way to the FA Cup semi-final but they couldn’t manage to overcome the eventual FA Cup winners Bolton Wanderers as they lost to the Trotters at White Hart Lane (0-3).

Everton first hosted Swansea at Goodison Park on 06 September 1930 for a Division Two encounter which the Toffees won handsomely on their way to promotion to the top-flight.

Liverpool Post and Mercury [Stock] reported the following:

Everton, who last season could not lay claim to many of dame fortune's smiles defeated Swansea 5-1. Some will say that the opposition was only feeble. It was, but Everton could do no more than win, and they did this handsome and well, even though two opening goals were grits from the goalkeeper.

It must not be overlooked that Everton had two efforts at goal negated by the intervention of the woodwork, so the balance was fairly even. Still those first goals must have had a moral effort upon the Swansea men, for up to the time of White's first goal they had enjoyed quite a good percentage of the play territorially, but after that Everton took complete charge of the game. They had a stranglehold on their rivals, and although the Welsh team were able to obtain a consolation point well on the second half there was never any suggestion that they would make Everton fight for the points, which at half-time were practically in safe keeping.

Handford, the Swansea centre-half, had a mission to perform, and that was to stay with Dean. That is easier said than done. Others, more famous, have tried and failed and Handford could be placed among that latter, for I can assure you that Dean took eight of every ten centres with his head, scored two goals, and played his best game for many a long day. His heading was truly magnificent. He nodded them here and glided them there, so that forwards with an eye to the need of the day should have had goals, Martin's goal was the result of a Dean header, and for a moment I thought the inside-left was going to delay the shot all too long, for it seemed an age before he actually drove the ball into the net. So much for Dean.

Swansea were energetic enough. They tried all they known to probe the Everton rear line, but there was not the craft the subtle movements, which could outwit such a general as Cresswell and the determined defence of Williams. They were straightforward methods, easily defined by a skilful back, and although there were times when the Swansea attack worried their way through they rarely got the better of their duels with Griffiths, Cresswell and Williams.

Dean's second goal was a real Dean effort, and was the best of the match. He took up a pass by White and flashed the ball into the net. His first, too bore a lot of power so much so that Ferguson could not hold it. White's opening goal was more of a hook back to Dean. Ferguson caught it but in the act of turning round seemed to throw the ball into the net. Martin's goal was made for him, and White's second was helped into the net by Hanford, who was undoubtedly scared at the presence at his shoulder of Dean and to prevent the latter from getting the ball he (Hanford) deflected it into his own goal. William's goal was the outcome of two centres from Bell, the first of which was ably dealt with, but the second Coggins turned out to the oncoming centre-forward, who headed it into the net.

Everton; - Coggins; Williams (captain), Cresswell; McPherson, Griffiths, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Martin, Rigby
Swansea Town; - Ferguson; L. Williams, Milne; Deacon, Hanford, Sykes; McMillian, Easton, Williams, Armand, Bell. Referee Mr. TG Bryon

Swansea could never quite put a run together to challenge the upper echelons of the Second Division and had to settle for mostly lower-half finishes, they were relegated to Division Three South in 1946/47 but quickly returned to Division Two.

Everton were relegated from Division One in 1951 and the following season the Welsh side made their first trip to Goodison for some twenty odd years. Everton won the match by the odd goal in three but as the report [abridged] by Contact in the Liverpool Echo describes a dull game had provided entertainment in an unusual manner: -

Ivor Allchurch made a rather disappointing first appearance in Liverpool in a Swansea team which looked at the start as if it might do better than be beaten 2-1. Allchurch missed a penalty, but his general play, too, was not happy. This will be the match remembered for Everton’s smallest attendance of the season - 20,000 – for the Arctic weather and for the appearance on the pitch at one time and another of a comedian dog and a black cat.

Farrell won the toss and took the considerable advantage of playing with the wind towards the Park goal. Everton’s first real attack came when Hickson at outside right centred with deliberation and the ball passed over the head of Williams to Parker, whose header carried no weight.

Swansea almost scored in their first raid Medwin who had taken position at inside right received the ball from the wing and seemed certain to score until Clinton moved in to tackle and dispossess him at the most critical juncture.

So far Allchurch whose face showed up red through cold under his light hair, figured mostly at outside right with Scrine at inside left. It was Scrine who offered the choices of passes to Bellis, but that players attempt was lamentable. A good flick by Hickson led to Parker going to the goal-line before centring to the spot where McNamara nodded the ball down wards towards goal but at no special pace.

At this point the crowd really got something to warm and amuse them, for two minutes on end the ball refused to go out of play, and for a solid two minutes a black terrier dog chased among the players coursing the ball as it moved about the field, and finally stopping the game when getting his nose to the ball.

Then immediately the game stopped he did a performing seal act with the ball, nosing it into the air like a circus act before the whistle of some boys on the terraces tempted him to go back to where he belonged. I have never seen a crowd more entertained by an intruder’s antics. Immediately after this interlude, Tom Jones trod on the ball, and almost let in Turnbull. Fortunately for Everton though he beat Jones he was eventually outnumbered.

King was not getting his goal kicks more than a quarter of the length of the field against the gale. Swansea’s goal at 25 minutes an own goal by Lello was a tragedy. Simmonds won the ball from Eglington in a touch line clinch scudded up the wing to outside right and centred a lowish ball which was comfortably Lello’s if he wanted it. Lello chosen to turn it back for safety to O’Neill and just as George Saunders who was sitting next to me commented “Watch it Jimmy,” so the ball swirled quickly under the angle with O’Neill falling heavily against the upright in his unsuccessful effort to turn it away at the last moment.

McNamara was really unlucky when getting up high to a swirling centre by Eglington and heading it spectacularly on to and then over the goal angle. Everton’s equalizer at 43 minutes was a first rate one, starting at McNamara and continuing via Parker, who took the pass for a yard or two before hitting it with his left out of King’s reach.

The Second half had gone five minutes when Swansea got a penalty award in unusual circumstances. A centre by Bellis passed over the outstretched hands of O’Neill and Medwin was left with the comparatively simple job of tapping the ball over the line from a sharpish angle. His shot was hit truly, but Lindsay, standing on the line nodded it away. The ball ran to Scrine, whose shot would certainly have found the net but for Clinton handling it over the bar.

A penalty was given unhesitatingly, and after going to trouble to see that the ball was not blown from the spot Allchurch drove it so high up over the bar that it scudded against the front portion of the double decker stands.

The Crowd at this stage rubbed their eyes to amazement at the sight on the playing pitch while the game was in progress of a black cat but this showed no signs of interfering with the game, indeed once it decided to leave, it flew over the ground barrier and up some empty terraces like a Waterloo Cup Hare.

Lello retrieved himself at 70 minutes by beating his men in a close dribble by the goal line and centring the ball as close to the face of the goal that immediately King out his hands up to stop the ball it rebounded into the net.

Allchurch was very quiet and it was obvious that it was not his day, and Swansea with much enthusiasm after unexpectedly finding themselves a goal down battered away for the equalizer. Fielding took the full force of a clearance by Beech at a range of about five yards and the ball apparently struck him on the back of the head. There was laughter from the crowd as trainer Harry Cook sponged down the injury with icy water. At last Allchurch and Scrine worked a duel straight down the centre and Scrine shot causing O’Neill to make a finger-tip save at the expense of a corner.

Final; Everton 2, Swansea 1. Official attendance 20,965.
Referee; Mr. G. Pankhurst (Warwick).

Everton; O’Neill; Clinton, Lindsay; Farrell (captain), Jones, Lello; McNamara, Fielding, Hickson, Parker, Eglington
Swansea Town; King; Simmonds, Beech; Williams, Weston, Burns; Medwin, Scrine, Turnbull, Allchurch, Bellis.

When Swansea visited Goodison the following season Cup fever was in the air as Everton had beaten Manchester United (2-1) at Goodison Park in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup and the game following Swansea was the trip to Aston Villa for the Sixth Round tie. Stork reported the game with Swansea on February 21, 1953 in The Liverpool Football Echo

It was obvious that Everton were not full out. They have next week’s important cup game in the back of their winds. Nevertheless, they did so much attacking, that they should have won, although one must give credit to Groves for some of his saves.

Although it was the Welsh team which made the first move of note it was Everton who made the next one, and it looked full of promise when Cummins collected a clearance near his own penalty area and then worked the ball adroitly until he had led the opposition into the belief that he would dispatch the ball to Eglington. Instead of doing the obvious thing he pushed it through the middle to Potts who in turn, swept it out to Eglington, and it looked as though there would be extreme danger to the Swansea goal. Unfortunately, Eglington put the ball a shade too far in front of him and it went over for a goal kick.

With the interval drawing near, Everton were trying hard for the lead, for after O’Neill had made another perfect save in the air, Potts tried to flip a ball from Buckle beyond Groves, but the goalkeeper had sized up matters and was able to save. Allchurch showed why he is so well fenced by many clubs by the way he controlled the ball beat off challengers and then delivered the ball to where he wanted it to go and it was from his head that O’Neill had to make a one-handed punch away to prevent Griffiths who was closing in, from having a nice opening. Everton’s reply to this, put the Welsh goal in trouble and Groves had twice to be pretty smart to prevent goals.

Everton struck an attacking vein immediately on resumption and within less than half a minute Potts had a shot blocked Eglington had won a corner and Hickson had bundled both goalkeeper and full back over the line, while Keane kicked away a low drive by Cummins with Groves well out of his goal. This was more like the tenacious Everton tan we had seen in the first half and Eglington added to the thrills when he headed a yard over the bar.

Swansea broke away but it was only for the matter of half a minute for Everton came back and crowded on pressure, and Eglington tried to edge on a Buckle pass, past the watchful Groves. The ball, however, trickled outside. A free kick to Everton saw Groves cleverly edge the ball over his crossbar as several Everton forwards thundered down on him. Charles who is very much like his brother in build had done quite well at centre half, but it was obvious to me that Hickson was not going full out. A throw in for Everton spilt the Swansea defence wide open, but Potts was a little slow when it came to the all important task of getting in his shot. At this stage of the game Everton were well on top. Still that goal would not arrive. Buckle had a shot deflected; Groves however, took a flag kick confidently. There was no doubt that Everton wanted that goal which so far had proved so elusive. They nearly had it when Potts allowed the ball to pass between his legs and go on to Eglington who tried to repeat history and score with his right foot, but Grooves denied him the honour with a good save. A little later Groves was well out of his goal when a Hickson effort was passing into the net until Keane, who had fallen back, kicked the ball out.

From one of the few Swansea raids Scrine tried to hook the ball in, but got too much under it and it went over the bar. After Swansea had made some headway they were held up in the Everton penalty area, and it was straight from this that Everton could and should have scored for Buckle had run into position before Potts passed but his shot passed less than a foot outside the post.

Everton claimed they should have had a penalty when Potts appeared to be held just as he was about to shoot, but Referee Blythe took no notice of the appeal. Lello, Buckle, and Hickson were instrumental in forcing a corner. Twice Hickson was fouled and in both cases the free kicks awarded to Everton brought no success. Hickson was fouled again by Charles and the referee deemed it necessary to have a word with the Swansea man. A little temper was now being display and following a corner to Everton. Lello had a long shot well off the mark. Everton were much more the persistent side, but occasionally the Swans broke away and Charles had to use his speed and tackling power to save the situation.

The little show of temper earlier on developed into a much more serious matter when Thomas and Cummins grabbed each other and appeared to want to strange one another and they had to be pulled apart. That referee had no hesitation in ordering both men off the field. With two minutes remaining for play Hickson broke through the Swansea defence and netted with a short-range shot, but the whistle had previously sounded for an infringement, so that the goal was disallowed much to Hickson’s disappointment. There was a lot of booing as the teams left the field. The referee and his linesmen waited for all the players to go down the alleyway before they left.

Everton; O’Neill; Clinton, Rankin; Farrell (captain), Jones; Buckle, Cummins, Hickson, Potts, Eglington
Swansea Town; Groves; Keane, Thomas; Lucas, Charles, Williams; Medwin, Scrine, Beech (C.), Allchurch, Griffiths
Referee; Mr. A.H. Blythe (London) Official attendance 39,608

Everton entertained Swansea twice the following season (53/54) as the two clubs met firstly in a Second Division fixture and latterly in the FA Cup Fourth Round. The League meeting ended all square as the teams shared four goals. Mel Charles scored twice for the visitors and John Willie Parker scored both of Everton’s goals. Everton: O'Neill; Donovan, Lindsay; Farrell, Jones, Lello; Buckle, Fielding, Hickson, Parker, Eglington

In the FA Cup tie Everton were hoping to improve upon the previous season’s cup exploits when they managed to reach the Semi-Final of the competition. The Toffees successfully overcame the Welsh side by scoring three times without reply and earned their passage to the Fifth Round thanks to the goals scored by John Willie Parker with two and another by Dave Hickson. Over 61,000 people were crammed into Goodison Park to witness the victory. Everton: O'Neill; Moore, Lindsay; Farrell, Jones, Lello; Wainwright, Fielding, Hickson, Parker, Eglington

Unfortunately Everton did not make Wembley that season and it was Swansea some ten years later that had an opportunity to make the journey to the famous stadium when they managed to beat Barrow, Sheffield United, Stoke City and Liverpool (1-2) on the way to meeting Preston North End in the Semi-Final at Villa Park. At least one Second Division team would grace Wembley to face either Manchester United the FA Cup holders or West Ham United. Alas for Swansea and the Welsh supporters Preston North End ended their dreams by beating them by two goals to one and the Lancashire club would face West Ham - who had beaten Man U (3-1) - at Wembley where a certain Howard Kendall became the youngest player to appear in the Cup final at that time.

The following season 1964/65 Swansea were relegated to the Third Division and worse followed as in 1966/67 they were relegated to the bottom tier of the Football League. A change of name from Swansea Town to Swansea City in 1969 heralded an upturn in fortunes for the Welsh club as they won promotion to the Third Division. Despite going close to promotion in 1972 the club returned to the lowest tier of the Football League in 1973 and had to seek re-election in 1975 which they managed to do successfully.

Former Liverpool striker John Toshack took the reins on St. David’s day 1978 and he was joined by former boss Harry Griffiths and thus began a remarkable period in the club’s history as they returned to the Second Division following back-to-back promotions. The first season in Division Two saw the Swans consolidate their position and in 1980-81 they won promotion to Division One for the first time in their history. Bob Latchford had scored a hat-trick on his debut for Swansea in an impressive first top-flight game against Leeds United (5-1) on the opening day of the season at the Vetch Field.

Goodison Park first hosted a top-flight game between Everton and Swansea on 5 December 1981. Remarkably Swansea City lay in second spot in the table two points adrift of Manchester United, at the start of the game and Everton were struggling in fifteenth position. Howard Kendall played his first League game for Everton for some seven years at Goodison Park as an early second-half goal by Graeme Sharp (49') broke the deadlock and Eamonn O'Keefe scored twice in seven minutes (61’, 67’) before Everton old-boy Bob Latchford (78’) scored a consolation goal for the visitors. Swansea City finished a respectable sixth in the First Division in their debut season, whilst Howard Kendall’s Everton side finished two places below Swansea in eighth.

Everton: Arnold; Stevens, Ratcliffe; Walsh, Lyons, Kendall; McMahon, Ross, Sharp, Biley, O'Keefe
Swansea City: Davies: Robinson, Hadziabdic; Rajkovik, Irwin, Mahoney; Curtis, James R, James L; Thompson (Stanley), Latchford

The following season the teams once again shared four goals but this time Swansea City left Goodison Park with a top-flight point for the first time in their history. Andy King scored both of Everton’s goals whilst Robbie James and Howard Gale were on target for the Swans. Unfortunately for Swansea they couldn’t match their first season in the top-flight and were relegated to Division Two, Everton finished the season in seventh position.

Everton: Arnold; Stevens, Bailey; Ratcliffe, Higgins, Richardson; Irvine (Johnson), King, Sharp, Heath, Sheedy
Swansea: Davies; Robinson, Hadziabdic; Lewis, Kennedy, Richards; Loveridge, James L; Gale, Mahoney

By the time Everton were winning their second First Division title in three seasons, Swansea found themselves right back where they had started - before their meteoric rise - in the lowest tier of English Football. Swansea very nearly got relegated to the Football Conference but escaped to fight another day. In 2005 the club left Vetch field to the new Liberty Stadium and in their first season back in League One they narrowly missed out on promotion losing on penalties to Barnsley in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff. Roberto Martinez took over from Kenny Jacket in 2006/07 and he led Swansea to the highest ever points total by a Welsh club in the Football League as they won the Division One Title in Martinez’s first full season in charge (07/08). The following campaign (08/09) saw Swansea finish in eighth place in football’s second tier missing out on the play-offs by a point. Martinez’s tenure at Swansea saw his side lose only 26 matches and his team won 63 of the 126 matches played, but in the summer of 2009 he left for Wigan Athletic. Paulo Sousa took over from Martinez before he left to take charge of Leicester City. Brendan Rodgers took over and he led the Welsh team to the Premier League in (10/11) after beating Reading (4-2) in the play-off final at Wembley.

Everton entertained Swansea for the first time in a Premier League fixture on 21 December 2011. Both sides were in mid-table prior to the game and the Toffees had been on a bad run of form in the Premier League. Leon Osman scored the winner around the hour mark for the Blues to register only their third League win at Goodison Park that season.

Everton manager David Moyes: "We needed to win but Goodison's been good to us in the years gone past regarding picking up the victories so let's hope tonight we can start to get on a good run here. "The last few games Leon Osman has come back to the sort of form we know. "He got us a goal on Saturday, he got us another one tonight and he's been a really important member of the squad "He's got an intelligence that allows us to work with him on the way he plays and what we asked him to do tonight. Because Swansea are a top passing team and a very good team."

Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers: "I'm disappointed because I felt defensively throughout the game we were excellent."Then the goal that we concede comes in an area that we feel we defend well - and the smallest guy in their team ends up getting the header in and scores. "I've got to say I didn't think it was a corner, when you watch it again on the replay we defended it well and Drenthe has got down the side, Ash has just shepherded him to the line and he has tried to cross it with his right foot and kicked it behind.”But we should defend it better when the corner comes in."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)
Everton 24 Howard 02 Hibbert 03 Baines 05 Heitinga 06 Jagielka 18 Neville 23 Coleman (Gueye Booked) 10 Drenthe (Cahill) 21 Osman 25 Fellaini 08 Saha (Stracqualursi)
Subs: 01 Mucha 15 Distin 17 Cahill 20 Barkley 11 Stracqualursi 14 McFadden 19 Gueye

Swansea City 01Vorm 02 Williams Booked 03 Taylor (Rangel) 04 Caulker 07 Britton (Lita) 11 Sinclair 15 Routledge Booked 24 Allen 27 Gower (Agustien) 29 Richards 10 Graham
Subs: 25 Tremmel 16 Monk 22 Rangel 26 Agustien 14 Dobbie 18 Lita 19 Moore
Ref: Kevin Friend Att: 32,004

The following season Everton played out a goalless draw with Michael Laudrup’s Swansea team and the managers had their say on proceedings: -
Everton manager David Moyes: "We're a bit frustrated but Swansea did a really good job in midweek on Chelsea, not dissimilar (to this). We needed to play a bit better, pass it a bit quicker and be a little bit cleverer in the final third. "We had three or four good opportunities, but just not perfect (ones). "Swansea have had a busy week, a hard week, and it is a great point for them. We're just disappointed we couldn't turn our opportunities into goals."

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup: "It has been a little bit more than a good week - it has been a great week. "Three very difficult games, different games, and I think three great performances. "To come here and play Everton in such a difficult away game, after playing in midweek against Chelsea, and to get a point is a great result. "Once more, it was a great performance, although maybe getting the points in a different way that we are used to."

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (5)
Everton 24 Howard 03 Baines Booked 06 Jagielka 15 Distin 18 Neville (Naismith - 69' ) 23 Coleman 21 Osman 22 Pienaar 25 Fellaini 07 Jelavic 28 Anichebe (Vellios - 83' )
Subs: 01 Mucha 34 Duffy 08 Oviedo 16 Hitzlsperger 31 Kennedy 14 Naismith 27 Vellios

Swansea City 01 Vorm Booked 04 Chico 06 Williams 21 Tiendalli Booked 22 Rangel 33 Davies 09 Michu Booked (Graham - 82' ) 11 Pablo Booked (Routledge - 73') 12 Dyer (De Guzman - 58' ) 24 Ki Sung-Yeung 26 Agustien
Subs: 25 Tremmel 02 Bartley 16 Monk 07 Britton 15 Routledge 20 De Guzman 10 Graham
Ref: Phil Dowd Att: 35,782
Last Time: 23 March 2014 as reported on the BBC website: By Neil Johnston

Everton strengthened their hopes of qualifying for Europe after a battling win over Swansea lifted them into fifth spot in the Premier League table.

Leighton Baines put the Toffees ahead from the penalty spot after Chico Flores brought down Ross Barkley. Swansea equalised when Wilfried Bony pounced on Angel Rangel's cross before Romelu Lukaku restored Everton's lead after a centre by Kevin Mirallas. Barkley's low header made it 3-1 before Ashley Williams's late consolation.

This win means Everton boss Roberto Martinez has completed the double over his former club in his first season in charge at Goodison Park. While manager of Wigan, the 40-year-old Spaniard picked up just one point from a possible 12 against Swansea.

It is four years since Goodison Park last hosted competitive European action. But the Toffees move above Tottenham into a Europa League spot after a sixth straight home league win.

It was far from vintage Everton and it required two outstanding saves by goalkeeper Tim Howard to secure maximum points after two goals in five second-half minutes had put the hosts in command. Swansea made the hosts work for victory, but the Welsh club's concerns near the bottom of the table continue.

Now without a win in five top-flight games, they remain just four points above the relegation zone and face Arsenal in London on Tuesday. The Toffees were ahead in the 20th minute, Baines tucking home his side's first top-flight penalty at Goodison Park since January 2013.

Referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate in pointing to the spot after Flores marked his return to the Swans side with a clumsy challenge on Barkley just inside the area.

Swansea manager Garry Monk served under Roberto Martinez as a player when the Spaniard was in charge of the Welsh club between February 2007 and June 2009.

Yet they struggled to build on their encouraging start, and Swansea were back on level terms when Bony pounced on Rangel's delightful 33rd minute cross. Suddenly, the visitors had the momentum. Pablo Hernandez went close with a heavily deflected free-kick shortly after but two quick goals early in the second half secured victory for Roberto Martinez's side.

Lukaku, who had rarely threatened, restored the lead with his 11th league goal of the season after a clever one-two with Mirallas in the 53rd minute. And it looked all over for the visitors when Barkley's low header from four yards following a 58th-minute corner made it 3-1.

But credit to the battling Swans. Howard produced a sublime one-handed save to deny Bony a second goal, while the Everton goalkeeper also denied Hernandez from close range. Yet Swansea's second goal, courtesy of a header by captain Williams, arrived deep in stoppage time and proved nothing more than a consolation.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "I am very pleased. We faced a really difficult test in Swansea and to get the all-important three points is a fantastic feeling.
"We deserved the two-goal lead but at that point we sat back a little bit too much, trying to use the counter-attack - but overall I was very pleased with the maturity we had. "The Europa League is not our aim, our aim is to get as many points as we can. Champions League football will be around 71 points - that is our target."

Swansea manager Garry Monk: "If I thought I wasn't doing the right things I am honest enough to know. I will hold my hands up. "When you come to places like this - and pretty much any game - there is always a period when the opposition have pressure and you have to manage it properly, get through it unscathed and make the right choices."We didn't do it and it cost us dearly. If we hadn't given them such a lead we could have been able to come away with something."

Everton: 24 Howard; 23 Coleman,03 Baines; 18 Barry, 26 Stones, 15 Distin; 11 Mirallas, 16 McCarthy; 17 Lukaku (Deulofeu ), 20 Barkley (Naismith ), 07 McGeady (Osman )
01 Robles, 10 Deulofeu, 14 Naismith, 21 Osman, 29 Garbutt, 32 Alcaraz, 36 Browning

Swansea City: 01 Vorm; 22 Rangel, 33 Davies; 07 Britton, 04 Chico, 06 Williams; 12 Dyer (Shelvey), 21 Cañas (De Guzmán); 10 Bony (Michu), 11 Hernández 15 Routledge
02 Amat, 03 Taylor, 08 Shelvey, 09 Michu, 14 Lamah, 20 De Guzmán, 25 Tremmel
Ref: Michael Oliver Att: 36,260

Everton versus Swansea City @Goodison Top Flight games only
PL W D L GF GA
5 3 2 0 8 4

November 1984

Shock loss as League Cup dreams lay in tatters ; League form and Europe offer hope of success.

03 – Leicester City provided stubborn opposition but second-half goals by Trevor Steven, Kevin Sheedy and Adrian Heath helps Everton to overcome the Foxes (3-0) and take all the points. For the first time in nearly six years Everton had reached the top of the League and all Evertonians hoped they could stay there. Prior to the game Howard Kendall receives the manager of the month award and following the game Ian Atkins signs for Everton from Sunderland to give the manager cover for the continued absence of Mark .

07 – The Blues gain safe passage through to the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winners Cup they overwhelm Inter Bratislava (3-0) at Goodison Park in second-leg tie thanks to goals from Graeme Sharp, Kevin Sheedy and Adrian Heath. John Morrissey Junior makes his first appearance for Everton as he replaces Kevin Sheedy for the final twelve minutes of the game.

08 – Nottingham Forest Reserves beat Everton Reserves (1-5) at Goodison Andy Gray scored Everton’s consolation.

10 – Adrian Heath’s late strike at Upton Park seals the victory over West Ham (1-0) for League leaders Everton.

13 – Everton Reserves lose the mini-derby at Anfield to Liverpool (2-1) Everton’s goal was an own goal but Terry Darracott believed his team were unlucky to lose after dominating the second-half.

14 – Mark Higgins has been told by a specialist that his football career is over.

17 - Everton began to show their title credentials as they beat Stoke City convincingly at Goodison Park (4-0). Adrian Heath continues his rich vein of form with two goals and Peter Reid and Trevor Steven are also on the scoresheet. The win sets a post-war record of ten consecutive wins in all competitions. Everton’s longest winning sequence since 1930-31 when West Brom ended Everton’s 14 match winning run in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford (0-1).

20 - Paul Wilkinson’s last minute strike earns Grimsby Town an unlikely victory as Everton concede a goal for the first time this month in the Fourth Round of the Milk Cup tie at Goodison thus bringing to an end that ten match winning sequence….Howard Kendall expresses his sadness about Mark Higgins forced retirement and announces that there will be a testimonial game for the former captain on 16 December 1984.

21- Andy Gray scores his sixth goal in six outings for Everton Reserves as they beat West Brom (2-0) at Goodison Park. Rob Wakenshaw is the other marksman.

24 – A three goal burst for Norwich City in the first twenty-five minutes at Carrow Road sews the seeds for Everton’s first League defeat (4-2) since losing to Arsenal in early October, as goals by Graeme Sharp and Kevin Sheedy are not enough to preserve Everton’s recent League form. John Deehan (2), Dale Gordon and Louis Donawa are all on target for the hosts.

28 – Everton Reserves secure another victory by beating Blackburn Rovers (2-4) , Andy Gray struck twice very early in the game and Rob Wakenshaw and Johnny Morrissey were also on the scoresheet.

Despite losing at Carrow Road Everton stay top of the division and lead Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United by three points after sixteen Division One fixtures have been completed.

November 1994

Joe Royle replaces Mike Walker as Toffees remember how to win, Michael Dunford arrives from Derby County.

01 - The first League victory arrives at the 13th attempt – Gary Ablett scoring the only goal against West Ham….It’s Ian Durrant’s last game before returning to Rangers but Duncan Ferguson is to stay for three months.

05 - The Blues make if five points in a week with a goalless draw at Norwich City.

07 - After 25 years with Derby County, Michael Dunford takes up a new post as Secretary at Goodison.

08 - Mike Walker’s departure is confirmed in a club statement saying that the decision was taken “with regard to the club’s playing record over the past 35 games.”

10 - Joe Royle is appointed manager after a break of nearly 20 years from Goodison Park….The former England centre-forward scored 119 senior goals before leaving for Manchester City on Christmas Eve 1974…He is joined by his Oldham Athletic assistant, Willie Donachie, the former Manchester City and Scotland full-back

11 - A winning start for Mr Royle as the top-of-the-table Reserves win 4-0 against Liverpool.

21 - The first team clash with Liverpool also brings victory for the Toffees – with a record 35th appearance by Neville Southall in the Merseyside derby…John Ebbrell and Andy Hinchcliffe are recalled by the new manager and ex-Bournemouth player Joe Parkinson holds his place in midfield. Duncan Ferguson and Paul Rideout score the goals that at long last lift the gloom around Goodison Park.

25 - Anders Limpar makes his first League start in over two months and sets up the winner for Paul Rideout at Chelsea…. Everton end the month still in the relegation zone but they find themselves level on points with fourth from bottom Aston Villa.

November 2004

Moyes’ commits his long-term future to Everton as Blues continue to confound the critics but questions remain about Everton’s financial stability.

02 -Norwegian centre-back Brede Hangeland who is rated at £1.7m claims he is on the verge of a move to the Toffees….Gordon McQueen urges Scotland to appoint Walter Smith as national boss to replace recently departed Berti Vogts.

03 - Everton Reserves lose to Birmingham Reserves (1-2) Nick Chadwick scores the Toffees goal from the penalty spot….David Moyes says that Li Tie is still two months away from a return to action dashing China’s hopes of having the player join their squad for an upcoming WC qualifier.

08 - Everton lose for the first time away from home as £12m man, Arjen Robben scores winner for Chelsea (1-0) at Stamford Bridge

09 - Richard Wright plays in Everton’s Carling Cup game with Arsenal despite the back injury he sustained in warm-up at Stamford Bridge…Arsenal who had an average age of 19 years and eight months (3-1) beat the Blues to end their Wembley dreams in this competition. Thomas Graveson with a deflected free-kick scored Everton’s consolation goal

11- Li Tie makes return playing for Everton Reserves, but he can’t prevent a heavy loss to Wolves Reserves (5-0)

12 - David Moyes pledged his future to Everton until 2009 after being assured the club has secured the new investment needed to revitalise its fortunes. The Everton manager revealed he turned down offers from several Premiership clubs to sign a new five-year deal at Goodison Park which will double his current salary to £1.5million a year. And he did so following guarantees from Chairman Bill Kenwright that Fortress Sports Fund will complete their multi-million pound investment next month.

13 - Everton eek out another win as they beat Birmingham City thanks to a converted penalty scored by Thomas Gravesen twenty minutes from time. David Moyes urges caution and re-iterates his target of 40 points as the only target he has in mind at this stage of the campaign.

15 – Everton’s debt stands at a whopping £42m according to letters sent to Everton’s UK shareholders…Christopher Samuelsson takes his place on the Everton Board.

16 - Australian Tim Cahill continues to hog the headlines as he scores the opener in his man-of-the-match performance against Norway at Craven Cottage the friendly game ended in a draw (2-2)…Republic of Ireland beat Croatia (1-0) in a friendly as Kevin Kilbane earns another cap for his country.

17 James McFadden converts a penalty for Scotland but his team lose heavily at home to Sweden (1-4)….Li Tie doesn’t play in China’s demolition of Hong Kong (7-0) but former Blue Li Wefeng does manage to get on the scoresheet.

18 – Gary Naysmith plays 90 minutes for Everton Reserves in their goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.

19 – Walter Smith is interviewed by the Scottish Football Association for the vacancy of National team manager.

20 - Everton added another three points to their total as they overcome Fulham (1-0) at Goodison Park thanks to substitute Duncan Ferguson bundling home from a corner-kick midway through the second-half. The victory takes Everton five points clear of fourth placed Manchester United and two points closer to Arsenal and Chelsea who both dropped two points in their respective home encounters.

25 – Manchester United Reserves beat Everton (1-3) as Richard Wright and Gary Naysmith complete the full 90 minutes.

26 Everton’s Youth team will entertain Charlton Athletic in the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup on 13 December 2004 at Goodison Park.

28 – Everton earn a point from a draw (1-1) with Newcastle United at a rain-lashed St. James’ Park as Lee Carsley scores an equaliser to cancel out Craig Bellamy’s early strike. The game marks David Moyes’ 100th in charge of the Blues.

30 – Scottish Premier League outfit Livingstone appoint former Everton star Richard Gough as their manager and the Scot is joined by another ex-Everton employee Archie Knox as his assistant…. Everton end the month three points ahead of fourth placed Manchester United but six points adrift of front-runners Chelsea, while Arsenal who sit in second place are just a single point ahead of the Toffees.

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