Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 4 Everton

9 April 1995

Scorers

Everton: Jackson 35, Stuart 55, Amokachi 82,90

Tottenham: Klinsmann 63 (pen)

Yellow cards

Everton: Hinchcliffe, Stuart

Tottenham: Barmby

Lineups

Everton: Southall 8, Jackson 9, Watson 9, Unsworth 9, Ablett 8, Limpar 9, Horne 7, Parkinson 10, Hinchcliffe 9, Stuart 10, Rideout 7 (71. Amokachi 8)

Tottenham: Walker, Austin, Calderwood, Mabbutt, Nethercott (84. Rosenthal), Popescu, Howells, Anderton, Barmby, Sheringham, Klinsmann

Subs not used: Kearton, Grant (Everton), Thorstvedt, Cundy (Tottenham)

Officiating

Referee: R A Hart (Darlington)

Attendance: 38,226

Overview

First an unbiased view...[-mep]

The Electronic Telegraph 10 April 1995 MATCH REPORTS

Tottenham crumble as Royle conducts rhapsody in blue

By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent

BOLDLY going where Liverpool and even the Football Association failed, Everton managed to remove Tottenham Hotspur from the FA Cup yesterday. A hugely deserved Elland Road semi-final success, rooted in unstinting endeavour and precise finishing, propelled Joe Royle's men to the Wembley final on May 20. What a weekend for Royle athletes.

Few savoured the moment more than Joe Royle, whose Everton team had been depicted as underdogs against the pedigree pooches from White Hart Lane. Royle, too, had experienced the fickle nature of semi-final combat, having watched despairingly as his Oldham Athletic side were denied at this stage last year by Manchester United.

United almost had the same feeling yesterday, levelling twice in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at Villa Park, where they will replay on Wednesday. Heroes abounded in the Royle ranks at Leeds. "Nobody let us down," he said. How true. Amongst the principal performers in this rhapsody in blue were David Unsworth, whose defending was of the highest order. In pursuit and use of possession, Joe Parkinson provided relentless support to his attack, in which Graham Stuart ran and ran and ran.

Stuart had added to Matt Jackson's opener before Tottenham showed signs of life. Jrgen Klinsmann converted an unjustly awarded penalty before Daniel Amokachi came on to score from two Everton breakaways. The Nigerian, a combination of muscle and finesse who has struggled to make his mark under Royle, was actually on the pitch by accident, having misread Paul Rideout's distress signals.

Amokachi's arrival on centre stage was a comic cameo

Within the manifold sub-plots of this 90-minute passion play, Amokachi's arrival on centre stage was a comic cameo. Rideout had limped to the far sidelines after 67 minutes but, having deemed himself fit to continue, indicated to the bench his readiness to return. By then Amokachi was on. "What a good mistake," Royle smiled.

Everton were so committed to the cause, so in tune with Royle's game-plan of closing down Spurs' creative sources and bypassing the visitors' defence, that Gerry Francis's stylish side had no chance.

"We came out of the traps very quickly," Royle added. "Semi-finals are traditionally tense and nervous but we came out and played well." None would argue, not even the Spurs diehards.

Everton, who under Royle have treated every match as a cup tie, began at whirlwind pace, Anders Limpar demanding three fine saves from Ian Walker in the opening 10 minutes. Crucially, they maintained the pressure. With Unsworth and Dave Watson shackling Klinsmann and Teddy Sheringham, and Parkinson throwing a blanket over the midfield, Everton were primed for goal.

After 35 minutes of spirited pressure, they broke through, Jackson rising at the near post to head in Andy Hinchcliffe's inswinging corner. What a gift. With no one defending the upright, and emergency left-back Stuart Nethercott the wrong side of Jackson, Spurs had only themselves to blame. Things might have been different had Justin Edinburgh, David Kerslake or Sol Campbell been fit. Darren Anderton, too, clearly felt the limitations of a knee injury.

Nothing should detract from Everton's energetic, intelligent display

But nothing should detract from Everton's energetic, intelligent display. Passing well and early, their menace never subsided. After 54 minutes, the scoreline rightly reflected what was unfolding before an impassioned crowd. Walker's underhit clearance was seized on by the tireless Rideout, whose shot was parried by Spurs' embarrassed goalkeeper but only to Stuart, who drove Everton further ahead.

Then came Spurs' contentious penalty, awarded for an alleged foul by Watson on Sheringham. Klinsmann scored his 26th of the season (and the only goal Everton have conceded in reaching Wembley), and suddenly, briefly, Tottenham hinted at a repeat of their amazing turnaround at Southampton.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 81st minute when Nethercott shot and Neville Southall saved magnificently with his legs. What could have been 2-2 promptly became 3-1 as Southall's clearance was conjured into another goal. Barry Horne and Limpar manoeuvred play the length of the field into Walker's box. Horne's lay-off was crossed to the far post where Amokachi scored with downward header.

Tottenham's massed entourage in the East Stand were silenced. The mass jubilation on the three other sides of the ground - a factor which lent the atmosphere a Goodison air -increased further with a second for their cult hero, Amokachi scoring following a link between Limpar and Gary Ablett.

For the vanquished, final frustration surfaced in differing forms, some acceptable, others sadly not: Walker, without whose instinctive first-half saves Spurs would have succumbed by more, slumped disconsolately on the turf while, to one side of the centre circle, 30 of his club's followers began brief skirmishes before five police horses marched on.

The losers' dressing-room was a dejected place. Gary Mabbutt, their captain, commented: "They didn't allow us to play our game. We've had a lot of acclaim this season but won nothing." The disappointment was palpable. In Klinsmann's case his upset was compounded by an incident as he ran from the pitch when a celebrating fan appeared to throw a punch at him.

The victors, Everton, must now redress their Premiership plight; transposing this spirit into their league form will surely ensure they remain where they belong, among the elite.

So, Wembley awaits more merry-makers from Merseyside, following Liverpool's Coca-Cola Cup success last weekend. All this and The Beatles back in the charts.

The Electronic Telegraph is a Registered Service Mark of The Telegraph plc

Started off early on Sunday..driving past large clusters of Everton supporters waiting to pick up coaches, scarves flying from the car windows.. .managed to keep up a fair lick on the motorway, (unlike the last semi at Leeds)..

We'd been going about 20 minutes when I saw a horse box in front with the words 'J. Pitman' in big letters on the back.. as we went past It had great big stickers on saying 'Royal Athlete: 1995 Martell Grand national Winner'..I said to Steve.."I think that could be a good omen..I can see the headlines now 'What a Royle weekend'" We decided to take Dave's option 4 to Leeds, via the outskirts of Bradford, and on to the Wheatsheaf where we hoped to stop and get some refreshments (and food cos I hadn't had anything)..anyway managed to follow it pretty well with one minor hiccough.. and as he said 'The Wheatsheaf' did stand out to the right... unfortunately we decided we'd try and park off to the left only to find ourselves facing the ground and being directed by the polis towards parking etc...

Seemed a bit pointless making our way back to the pub, so decided to go straight in the ground, which had just opened, ..Steve was in the West stand right on the half way line and Liam (his first away match) and I were behind the goal (the Amo one)..I must say I was very impressed by the whole set-up at Leeds, the police and stewards were very friendly and helpful and the ground was impressive..the first time I've been there since it's been done up.

The two big flags came out and people had lots of fun passing them over head and trying to manipulate them around pillars etc...it's a shame the white one spent most of it's time upside down, but it rippled impressively.

I was a bit worried about the ref beforehand as I think it was he who sent off Duncan Ferguson against Arsenal , although I could be wrong about this as I am just going from memory.

The match. what more can I say..I'm sure most people have seen it .we started off like a house on fire with Limpar looking as though he felt he could beat Spurs single-footedforcing saves from long-range efforts..Parkinson also had a long range dig ..and Hinchy worrying Spurs witless with his devilish corners from which Rideout should have done better with a clear header which went over and Watson forcing a save. I'm always most worried in a match when we've dominated it without scoring and Spurs slowly started to come in to it a bit more, with Sheringham having a couple of efforts which thankfully went over and wide, ..then more pressure from corners ( I actually fancied Hinchy to get one direct) and a flashing header from Jackson into the net bam!.

I must admit we couldn't tell from the far end who'd scored and we didn't care...the match carried on with Unsworth just majestic cutting out any threats from Anderton, Barmby etc..A well deserved half time lead.

The second half carried on as the first, with Everton completely dominant and Spurs defence starting to be carved open with Everton's slick passing, Rideout slammed in a rebound from a Walker save from Stuart's shot but the 'goal' was rightly disallowed for off-side..I must admit I assumed it was off from the beginning so I hadn't leapt up or anything.. luckily the second wasn't long in coming as Walker made a hash of the free kick, hitting it straight to Rideout who unleashed himself from the shackles of his marker to run clear on Walker and put in a firm shot which Walker got a hand to but which fell to Stuart to puch into the empty goal.. Yess...I think the first time I've been to an F.A. semi where Everton were two goals up..

Of course you can usually rely on the ref to change things and his award of an undeserved penalty was almost predicatable..Southall was unlucky not to stop Klinsmann's shot as he dived the right way, but it was well placed and with too much power. Darn it..for almost the first time in the match you started to have doubts...luckily the team just carried on playing as they had previously.. SPurs had a couple of efforts , but only the one that broke to Nethercott really threatened and pulled out an excellent stop from Nev..

There was a worrying moment when Rideout went down in agony after a tackle from Anderton (who got the ball) and the physio called the stretcher on immediately... However it was abvious after a bit of treatment that they were hopeful Rideout could return as the physio put his hand up to the bench at least 3 times telling them to wait..Rideout was carted off to just off the pitch as treatment continued then all of a sudden (just as Rideout was standing up) Ammo was on.. (Apparently it came out later that this was a mistake,..Ammo thought he was going to come on and went to the pitch where the 4th official ushered him on..) Ridout looked a bit chagrined as he walked around the pitch to the dug-out..recieving a tremendous reception from the fans.

Anyway more or less straight from the Nethercott save, Everton zoomed down the pitch where a good move saw the ball cut to Graham Stuart on the right of the box where his perfectly weighted chip-cross met ammo almost unmarked to head firmly down and into the goal.. A few minutes later Ammo wraps it up further after a tremedous run from Gary Ablett who surged into the penalty area and cut the ball across for Ammo to slam in...

How nice it was to see Everton 'defending in their half' instead of just pulling everyone back...i've never been able to actually 'enjoy' the last few minutes of a semi-final before..it was superb .usually you spend all your time looking at a clock that goes backwards.

Must disagree with whoever only gave Parkinson 8, I thought the Everton victory was 'pivoted' on three '10-worthy' performances of Unsworth, Parkinson and of-course Stuart.

Some nice comments about Royle etc. after the match..

His opening comment at the post-match Press conference said it all: "Sorry about the dream final , lads"

Royle continued "We deservedly won the game. It could have been more in the end. We came out of the traps very quickly and passed it around well" "I was disappointed when Spurs got a penalty. It looked contentious. I thought 'here we go again'"

"But we responded magnificently. We played a lot of good football, which has probably surprised one or two of you" And revelling in a reversal of roles he added: "The only real problem we had with them was that they lauched a lot of long balls up to our centre-halves" :-)

"I thought we played all the football"

"They are obviously a very good and attractive side. And we have beaten then on merit"

Royle named Graham Stuart as his man-of-the-match, just ahead of Joe Parkinson and David Unsworth who returned from suspension. Said Stuart: "I thought we thoroughly deserved to win. We worked so hard. We desperately wanted to get to the final. We got nothing more than we deserved"

But they were all heroes for Everton , who had Duncan Ferguson, John Ebbrell and Vinny Samways suspended, with Stuart Barlow injured.

Royle who had considered playing three centre-backs praised skipper Dave Watson. The 33-year old former England defender had been bedridden with a virus in the week and admitted he felt like "someone had stolen my legs" in the second half.

Watson added: "We set our sstall out. We gave them an awful lot of problems , and could have been a couple of goals up in the first half"

Everton were the winners on and off the pitch, with their fans filling three sides of the ground and totally outsinging the Spurs supporters. Said Royle: "It was like a home semi-final. You could tell they were desperate for us to win. They were absolutely brilliant"

..The above was from the 'Daily Post'.

Great trip back to Liverpool..watched the highlights of the other semi without knowing the result, the watched the tape of our match again.. just to make sure it was true..

The only thing that annoyed me was Jimmy Hill kept saying that Ammo has had a lot of criticism and Stick from the fans...In my experience, completely the opposite has been the case..Ammo has has lots of support from the fans and it was JR who was getting stick for not playing him...

More good news..another match for Palace in their crowded schedule can't do us any harm, surely...Just have to wait til Wednesday to see what our 'Cut of the Wembley allocation' will be as 'Average attendances' are taken into consideration..

'Tell me ma, me ma....I don want no tea, no tea ..We're going to Wem-ber-lee, tell me ma, me ma'

BIG PROBLEM: team selection..glad I'm not JR...but puh-leese don't drop Jackson.