17 September 1994
Amokachi was involved immediately and after just 57 seconds played a pass
that should have earned Everton a penalty. Ridout chased after the left wing
cross and was tripped by goalkeeper Roberts. Referee Gifford however was
not interested.
The Blues were up to a bad start when Holloway crossed from the right finding
Ferdinand unmarked 12 yds out and neatly looped a header over Southall.
Two minutes later Everton almost equalised when Stuart's fine pass gave Amokachi
a clear opportunity. His left foot shot narrowly cleared the Rangers bar.
Amokachi took no time at all to make amends when he knocked in Everton's
equaliser in the 10th minute. Good work by Unsworth and Limpar earned a corner
which Samways clipped to the near post. Jackson got the perfect head on and
Amokachi was lurking at the far post to turn the ball over the line. His
celebrations were ecstatic and the supporters responded.
Amokachi was really buzzing now and in the 14th minute a beautiful piece
of trickery from him beat two defenders. But rather than shoot, he passed
the ball to Ebbrell who shot over.
Amokachi was looking threatening every time he got the ball and only Robert's
fingertips denied him a second goal after he had got in a header to Ebbrell's
cross.
Everton had recovered their composure after the early upset and they were
moving the ball well. In the 24th minute they were revarded when Rideout
gave them them lead.
Once again Amokachi was involved, knocking in a pass in Limpar's path. His
cross to the far post was met by Rideout who connected with a powerful downward
header. Roberts couldn't scramble the ball away as it had already crossed
the line.
Everton was still looking fragile at the back and they had a let off in the
31st minute when Wilson's shot from 12 yards beat Southall but bounced back
off a post.
Everton had a great opportunity to make it 3-1 when Stuart clipped a perfect
cross to Rideout at the far post. He connected powerfully with his header
but the ball went well wide of the target from inside the 6 yard box.
Five minutes before half time Everton wasted another opening when Watson
mistimed his kick at the far post from Samway's corner.
Two minutes after half time, Rideout showed pace and aggression to battle
his way in front of McDonald and get in a shot which narrowly cleared the
Gwladys Street crossbar.
A minute later Everton fell prey to an easy goal. Bardsley's long ball out
of defence caught the defence napping and Ferdinand raced in unchallenged
to confidently beat Southall.
Everton's defending left a lot to be desired but they were still managing
to move forward smoothly.
They were able to create two good openings in a minute down the right flank
and got crosses in, but each time Rangers managed to scramble the ball clear.
Everton were almost caught out by a repeat of Rangers equaliser in the 63rd
minute. Bardsley played the ball forward, Ferdidnand was on to it in a flash
but this time crosse dot Wilson and Southall made a splendid diving save
to keep out the shot.
21 minutes before time, Amokachi and Stuart linked neatly to put Stuart clear
off the defence, but Roberts managed to come off his line to block the ball.
Ebbrell then got the loose ball, but his weak shot was blocked by Roberts.
A Stuart volley after a neat touch by Amokachi forced the QPR goalkeeper
to make a much more difficult save 15 minutes from the end. Roberts dived
to his left to make an excellent save.
A mistake-free game (shock!). No - first goal was not his fault.
Steady. No mistakes as always. Flicked on corner for Ammo's goal. Going forward
worked well with Stuart and Ammo to make chances.
Erm, does he ALWAYS leaving wingers SO much space to work in??
Not as superb as usual, but still good. Misjudged high ball which cost us
the second goal, but I guess this is inexperience. Will forgive since he's
saved so many others already.
A mistake-free game! Well done! (But please leave soon).
Um, er, OK. He always does well when he gets the ball but doesn't seem to
see much of it. At least takes good corners.
I counted 3 mistakes, 3 good plays (all defensive though), and two missed
goal chances. I despair. WHY play him?? :-(
Bloody awful. Was he sulking because no-one called his name at the start?
Hardly got the ball and did nothing at all.
EFC needed a good game from Stuart to get a win. He almost had one.
Never argue about a man who scores goals. Brilliant!
Better and better. He's got more ideas than Cantona, wins more balls than
McCall used to, and seems to magically appear when the ball is.. anywhere
in the box. His speed is not as good as Barlow, but who cares when he is
even better in the outfield than Sharpy!
Snowy is back! What a pity he doesn't have muck attacking skill..
Contributions
Everton 2 - 2 Queens Park Rangers
Overview
Player by player
Southall
Jackson
Burrows
Unsworth
Watson
Samways
Ebbrell
Limpar
Stuart
Rideout
Amokachi
Snodin