Match Summary

The game kicked off 5 mins late after a delay due to a traffic accident outside the ground.  Meanwhile, inside, Jamie McFadden was given his first Premiership start.  Unsworth played in place of the injured Pistone, and Duncan Ferguson led the line with Radzinski; Wayne Rooney was on the bench.

A fairly lively start ensued from both teams, with end-to-end stuff as the players settled.  Eyes on Unsworth, who has the job of marking Pennant.  McFadden wins an early couple of corners, Yobo tried a shot, and Gravesen driving it back in through the melee, but just wide. 

The pattern of the game was being dictated by Everton, who's wing players appeared unusually determined to take on their men and whip balls into the Leeds penalty area.  Radz got the ball in from a Stubbs shot after 15 mins but it was offside after Ferguson had neatly ripped Rocque Junior's shirt in half. 

McFadden was involved in everything, heading back a perfect ball from the far post in to Duncan but the big man could not control it and it spilled wide.  Then he showed his skill, beating three men and crossing well in front of a well entertained Goodison crowd.  Carsley nodded another one down to Radzinski, who drilled it just wide.

Finally, a great goal by Watson, with Gravesen and Ferguson in the build up, Gravesen getting the ball past Rocque Junior and Watson playing a one-two off Ferguson before he blasted an unstoppable shot into the net.

A fabulous move by Hibbert set Radzinski on his way and he did everything right but score, beating Robinson and the far post.  McFadden, a lovely ball for Radzinski to chase, Robinson beat him but the ball fell to Watson, who smashed it first time from 40 yards — a fantastic goal. 

And finally the classic combination:  From a Gravesen free-kick, Hibbert beats his man, centres superbly, Duncan Ferguson header: THREE - NIL!

Leeds rallied a little, getting a threatening free-kick that went for a corner but Ferguson was there to head the ball out defensively, much to the appreciation of the Goodison crowd who were loving this.

Watson almost goat his hat-trick just after the restart, following a triple substitution from Peter Reid.  But he was determined to do it — and finally he did.  A great move started by McFadden, rescuing a lost cause, Ferguson getting the ball in to Watson who floated the ball over Robinson to win the match ball. 

The urgency finally subsided as Everton relaxed into the final third of the game, with David Moyes bringing off the match stars, Radzinski and Watson, to a standing ovation.  Rooney then came on for the last 15 minutes and almost scored.

Rooney really should have made it five at the death when he beat Robinson but screwed a golden chance past the post.

And what a pleasure it was to finally have a proper referee who knows what he is doing and does it well.

2003-04 Match Reports Index