Result:
Everton (0) 1 - Liverpool
(1) 1
Scorers: Ferguson
(65); Redknap (26) <= Actually
an og by Thomsen.
|
Everton: Southall, Barrett, Dunne, Watson,
Short (Ball ), Unsworth, Stuart, Speed, Thomsen (Barmby, 58), Ferguson,
Branch. Booked: Dunne, Stuart. Sent off: Unsworth (82). Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Hottiger, Hills, Unavailable: Hinchcliffe, Grant, O'Connor, Parkinson, Phelan (all injured); Rideout (injured - returning to China) |
Liverpool: James, Jones (McAteer 75), Bjornebye, Wright, Kvarme,
Harkness, McManaman, Redknapp, Fowler, Barnes, Thomas.
Subs Not Used: Berger, Warner, Collymore, Ruddock.
Booked: Jones.
Sent Off: Fowler (82)
 Ref:
Steven Lodge
|
Att:
40,177
|
League Position: 12th
|
Results
and League Table
|
Previous Match: Everton v Tottenham Hotspurs -- Next Match: West Ham United v Everton
SoccerNet: Robbie Fowler was sent off as Liverpool's title ambitions were dented by Everton in this 156th League meeting of the Mersey rivals and will now miss Liverpool's Premiership run-in. The England striker was dismissed in the 82nd minute at Goodison, along with Everton defender David Unsworth.
The Everton defender sent Fowler flying with a challenge, Fowler flew at his opponent and punches appeared to be exchanged. Both will be banned for three matches, which now means Saturday's clash with Manchester United will be the last in the Premiership this season for 30-goal Fowler.
Liverpool were desperate for victory to draw level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premiership, ahead of their Anfield clash, and Jamie Redknapp gave them a perfect start when he completed a crisp move after 26 minutes to stab in his third goal of the season and his first in these parochial affairs.
Fowler knocked the ball wide to Steve McManaman, who put it low across the area for Redknapp to get the touch ahead of Unsworth. Everton had attempted from the start to cash in on their aerial superiority and the uncertainty of Liverpool goalkeeper David James, who has experienced such horrors recently.
After only five minutes of a frantic contest he ran from his line and flapped at a high free kick from Graham Stuart. He soon claimed the attention again, this time as he dribbled the ball past young Everton striker Michael Branch before completing his clearance as Duncan Ferguson moved in to challenge.
Everton knew, particularly with Ferguson as their spearhead, that they could give James and his defenders plenty of problems. But it was Liverpool who threatened with their quick passing and inter-changing as McManaman and Fowler continued the front-line partnership that was so successful in their 2-1 win at Sunderland on Sunday.
Richard Dunne, the 17-year-old giant from Dublin, set a record as the youngest player to appear in a Mersey derby. The defender was booked after only six minutes for a foul on Fowler - and he was soon to lose his record to Michael Ball. Ball, a local boy and a month younger than Dunne, was sent on after 22 minutes as substitute when defender Craig Short was carried off on a stretcher. He fell awkwardly after going over the back of Fowler and was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays.
Neville Southall, Everton's 38-year-old goalkeeper in his 40th derby, had to dive to his left to turn aside McManaman's swinging shot and then made a great save to keep out a Mark Wright header.
Liverpool manager Roy Evans stuck with the 11 who put them back on course at Roker Park after the disappointments of Premiership defeat at home to Coventry and a 3-0 beating by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their European Cup-winners' Cup semi-final.
Rob Jones, impressive in only his second full game of the season at Sunderland, was preferred on the right flank to £4.5million Jason McAteer, who was available again after serving a one-match ban. McAteer was named among the substitutes, who also included Stan Collymore, the £8.5m striker who cried off at the weekend with a hamstring injury, and Neil Ruddock, who forcibly expressed his opposition to reserve-team football earlier this week.
Everton caretaker manager Dave Watson was able to welcome back Unsworth and Short after injuries but kept faith with Dunne, who played a crucial role in Saturday's 1-0 win over Tottenham that took the club to the 40-point mark and virtual safety.
Nick Barmby, Everton's record signing at £5.75m, was again only named among the substitutes but was sent on after 63 minutes. Branch, the 18-year-old striker playing in his first derby for Everton, threatened down the left but drove his shot across the face of the goal.
At the other end, Liverpool moved with deadly affect inside the Everton penalty area, with Fowler's pass to McManaman, the low cross and the crucial stretch and touch by Redknapp for the goal.
But it was Everton who seemed inspired by that score. After 33 minutes Michael Thomas headed off the line from a Ferguson header after another lapse by James at a Stuart corner. Four minutes later James pushed a strong header from Ferguson over the crossbar and then made a fine stop to keep out a fierce, angled shot from Claus Thomsen.
Everton put on more intense pressure at the start of the second half and, just when it seemed as if Liverpool had come through the worst, Ferguson stunned them with a superb equaliser after 65 minutes. Steve Harkness tried to head out a Stuart cross and Ferguson pounced, turning and hitting a low shot into the far corner of the net from 25 yards.
It was a tremendous setback for Liverpool but they lifted themselves and twice within the space of a minute Fowler was within inches of regaining the lead. First he met a cross from Stig Bjornebye and powered a header against the bar and then hit a low shot against the outside of a post.
Richard Marland: Going to today's game I was thinking to myself "God I hate Derby's", coming away from the match I was thinking "God I love Derby's". Pre-kick off, the tension and nerves were clearly getting to me, however a Derby scripted as well as this one, one which extended our unbeaten run over them and seriously dented their title hopes, can't help but make you love them.
We showed yet another shuffle in our team line up, Short and Unsworth both returned from injury whilst Phelan didn't make it. The line up was Nev in goal, a back 3 of Dunne, Watson and Short, Barrett and Unsworth as wing backs (albeit rather defensive wing backs), a midfield trio of Thomsen, Speed and Stuart and Dunc and Branch up front.
As on Saturday, there was no problem with the players' commitment. However, the shape of the side didn't look so good. We missed the job Rideout did for us in midfield on Saturday, Stuart never being as effective as he had been, and Unsworth and Barrett didn't perform as well in the wing back roles as Stuart and Phelan had. Having said all that, we were by no means bad as we pretty much held our own in a frantic opening.
Liverpool probably had the balance of the first half, they certainly looked the most dangerous and clearly won the midfield battle. Whenever the play broke down it seemed that a red shirt was first to the ball. We also didn't have the personnel to play our usual pressing game on them, and they probably had more room and time than they have been used to in recent Derbys. Nev had a few early saves to make, the most notable being from Craig Short who instinctively put his head on a ball that was pinging around from a corner, only problem was that it was destined for the bottom corner. Soon after this, Short was taken out of the game by a sickening fall on the neck -- he went up for a header against Fowler, Fowler didn't jump and moved back into him, the referee giving a foul against Fowler, the result being that Short went right over the top of him and landed on his neck. It took four minutes to get him off the pitch. Michael Ball came on with Unsworth moving into the centre.
Midway through the first half ,Liverpool took the lead. They opened us up down our right to allow MacManaman to take the ball into the area where he found the incoming Redknapp and Thomsen. Thomsen had been a little slow to react to Redknapp's run and in his efforts to get back on terms it was his boot that put the ball in the back of the net.
Chances were fairly even in the first half, James made some horrendous misjudegements on crosses which always left us in with a chance (and allowed the crowd to chant "dodgy keeper" at him). Dunc had one header from a corner headed off the line with James beaten, and another well saved by James. Thomsen also had a crashing volley at the near post well saved by James. So, half time arrived 1-0 down but with encouraging signs of life in the Everton ranks.
The second half turned out to be much better for the blues as we stepped up a gear. Whilst at no stage dominating proceedings, we more than held our own, gaining a number of corners and with Dunc in irresistible form they always looked dangerous. Our equaliser finally came, from the expected source but perhaps not in the expected manner. A long ball was played towards Branch on the edge of their box, the ball then fell to Dunc. Still on the edge of the box, he turned Wright and got a good shot in on goal which found the bottom right hand corner of the net. A cracking goal and a timely reminder of just what the man can do on the deck. Goodison erupted and for the next 5 minutes or so the noise was truly deafening.
Both sides went in search of the winner, Fowler hit the woodwork twice in a minute. Once with a header which has to go down as a bad miss, and once with a shot from just inside the area. We also had chances but not as clear cut as theirs. The last noticeable action of the half was the flare up between Fowler and Unsworth. They had been niggling at each other all game; with ten minutes to go during a Liverpool breakaway, they had another coming together and ended up on the deck, as they got up Fowler started throwing punches. The referee stopped the game as players went in to seperate Fowler and Unsworth. The referee had no option but to send Fowler off, -- he had been the aggressor and he had thrown punches.
The referee also sent of Unsworth. I felt that Unsworth had been a little unfortunate, Fowler had clearly been the aggressor and for the most part Unsworth had merely been fending Fowler off., however maybe the referee just took the easy option and sent them both off. As they were walking off Unsworth said something to Fowler and Fowler went for him again, the Liverpool bench quickly intervened to lead Fowler away whilst Unsworth was kept on the touchline whilst Fowler was locked inside their dressing room. St. Robbie the great sportsman of our generation? Don't make me laugh.
The sending off rather took the sting out of the remaining 10 minutes. Strangely Liverpool never brought on Collymore or Berger to play up front. It almost seemed that they had accepted the draw, they certainly played with a surprising lack of urgency especially when you consider the stakes, somehow I couldn't imagine Man Utd mutely accepting a draw in such circumstances. For our part we were satisfied with our evenings work, a draw would do nicely and a come from behind draw is always infinitely more satisfying than a 0-0 or having been in the lead.
Team 7 Another blood and thunder derby performance. Defence was better that it has been of late -- our organisation seems better -- but still a long way from secure. Midfield struggled, but with the rather pedestrian Thomsen and the out of position Stuart this was hardly surprising. Still all in all a very encouraging evening's work.
Steve Kirkwood: Plenty for everyone this evening as a 'typical' Derby match climaxed in a double sending off with eight minutes left. By the time you see this, most of you will have at least seen the goals so I'll concentrate if I may, on some of the superfluous action which the BBC/Setanta/TV Scandinavia missed.
It was a typical derby in that there was plenty of commitment, goals came against the run of play (sort of), and the noise, jeez, the noise. At the end the game, we left the ground buzzing. Another moral victory which has seen their Championship chances take a dive, while the underdogs recovered from a goal down, and just about guaranteed Premiership survival. In broader terms, we shouldnt be pleased with a home draw, but it was the sort of night where the RS would have rubbed our noses right in it had they won, which they nearly did.
We started with recalling Unsworth and Short, so a back three of Watson, Dunne and Short, midfield of Barrett, Stuart, Thomsen, Speed and Unsworth and Ferguson and Branch up front. This was definitely 3-5-2, with Barrett right up on Bjornbye all night, and mirrored the RS 3-5-1-1.
5' Dunne booked for tackle (committed by Unsworth?)
14' Nev turns away a Macca shot
15' Wright header deflected (and saved on line?)
18' Short goes over Fowler's back (our free kick) and doesn't get up, stretchered
off. Ball on, Unsworth to centre back.
24' Thomsen runs thru, releases Branch who fires across goal. Our earliest
chance.
25' Fowler to Macca to Redknapp who walks it in. 0-1. (Its at this stage
I remember how lively things can get in the Exec seating, as the police move
in to calm things down. Lets say it got excitable)
29' Ferguson header from corner headed off line
32' Ferguson header from corner tipped over.
38' Good move ends with DF firng wide
43' Thomsen lashes left foot volley against post/James
47' Fowler fires past post.
First half impressions are Fowler's speed, James' uncertainty, Branch and Ferguson's ability in the air, MacManaman's comfort on the ball and they've had the balance of play in midfield. Its been passionate, but not ugly -- but we're losing.
4'7 Jones catches Speed late, and its a Yellow. The RS seem to have more
space (maybe they had plenty first half but the St End is so far away) and
running in on the Everton defence at will.
48' Speed heads over from corner
51' Thomas fires over from 20 yds, after Stuart fuckup
57' Macca has two runs, very scary
59' A RS corner, saved on the line by Nev. Looked like it was headed by Dunc....
61' Speed heads over another corner; Barmby on for Thomsen, more holes in
midfield.
65' As it built up I thought this looks like the Ferguson goal v Man U away,
and he turned and in it went!! Pandemonium. For those of you not there, it
took 5 minutes to die down, and there were still a variety of songs
70' Fowler heads against the bar from 3 yds
71' Macca squares and Fowler hits Nevs left hand post.. (You're garbage Fowler)
There's space everywhere now as the end to end stuff takes its toll on legs.
79'Macateer (on as sub) heads away Barrett cross from under his bar.
82' Major fracas involving Unsworth and Fowler on the way back from an Everton
corner I think. James ran 40 yards threw a punch and missed. Story of his
night I suppose -- but the ref is not to be denied. One red card, both off.
Fowler carries on as he leaves, the refs fault here. If they've been fighting
you send em off one at a time. They are taught that.. Continued in the tunnel,
according to radio.
90' Dunc header just past,
91' Harkness fires over from distance as we panic about a late collapse.
Hope that captures the spirit and end to end nature of what occurred. Most enjoyable, very satisfying. Impressions of 2nd half. Our bombardment, our pressure, their breaks, our lack of width, their width, Dickie Dunne! 17? looks BRILLIANT, Liverpools inability to handle the long ball, worse than anyone else this season....
On the subject of the RS, hand it to Fowler, he is different class, very quick feet, and moves before the ball is played to him. Macca has good understanding of this. Well though Branch played, it shows how hard he'll have to work to reach such a standard. David James? Dodgy keeper as we kept reminding him.
Team performed well this evening and on balance we deserved the draw its
a collective will thing, we had it tonight.
Crowd. We can make a difference. And we did. 9/10.
William Johnson, Electronic Telegraph: LIVERPOOL'S frustration at failing to pick up the three points they needed to join Manchester United at the top of the Premiership boiled over at Goodison last night when their top scorer, Robbie Fowler, was sent off for fighting with Everton's David Unsworth, who was also dismissed by Barnsley referee Steve Lodge.
Fowler, who had struck bar and post in rapid succession as Liverpool, whose opening goal by Jamie Redknapp had been pegged back by Duncan Ferguson, went all out for a crucial victory, turned to striking an opponent and will be suspended for the conclusion of the championship.
Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, continued with his policy from last Sunday to utilise the skills of Steve McManaman in attacking mode just behind Fowler and the plan again produced early dividends. The two young England players, both scorers in the crucial win at Sunderland, combined to thrilling effect for Redknapp to break a tense deadlock in the 156th league confrontation between the clubs.
McManaman worked a clever one-two with Fowler to go skipping into the Everton box midway through a first half which was extended by several minutes because of a neck injury to home defender Craig Short, and Redknapp was alert to prod across goal to force the ball over the line.
Liverpool had already forced Neville Southall, extending his record in Mersey derbies to the 40-appearance mark, into two crucial saves -- an instinctive effort after a Mark Wright header had been deflected followed by a full-length dive to reach a curling McManaman shot.
Despite those incidents in their own goalmouth Everton were not outclassed in a highly competitive first half and carved out their own opportunities, notably when Claus Thomsen was found unmarked on the far side of the area and volleyed powerfully for David James to make an excellent save.
Shot-stopping is the impressive side of England's new goalkeeper. Dealing with crosses remains his Achilles heel and he nearly presented Everton with an equaliser by coming too far in a vain attempt to gather a Graham Stuart corner. Ferguson beat him to the high ball and the ensuing header was cleared off the line by Michael Thomas.
Ferguson would not be denied, however, and he again showed that he is the man for the big occasion by producing a spectacular equaliser out of only a semblance of a chance. There seemed little danger to the Everton defence when Steve Harkness headed clear but Ferguson, with his back to goal, swivelled and directed a low drive past James.
Liverpool, possibly trying to conserve energy for Saturday's potential title decider, were stung into more positive action by that strike and twice in a minute Fowler was extremely unlucky not to restore their lead. A rare error by Southall in trying to cut out a Stig Bjornebye cross saw the ball arrive on the head of the 30-goal striker who was aghast when it struck the crossbar.
Report Copyright The Electronic Telegraph
Peter Ball, The Times: EVERTON are having a miserable season, but they continue to provide a serious obstacle for Liverpool. Last night they extended their unbeaten run against their Merseyside rivals to six games, coming from behind to earn a point in a match that proved a severe set-back to Liverpool's hopes of winning the FA Carling Premiership.
They missed the chance to go top of the table before meeting Manchester United on Saturday, and will almost certainly lose Robbie Fowler for the final three games of the season. The striker was sent off, along with David Unsworth, eight minutes from time for retaliating to the Everton player's tackle.
The result leaves Liverpool two points behind United, who have a game in hand. Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, nevertheless put a brave face on his side's failure to turn superiority into a win. "It doesn't put us out of it," he said, "that may be the point that wins it for us."
Evans, however, was unable to disguise the likely damage to their prospects of the loss of Fowler. "The consequences would seem to be quite severe," he said. "To lose your top striker for three games is a huge blow."
Yet, until things got heated, as Everton battled back after the interval, Liverpool seemed to have won the physical contest as well as the test of skill. Michael Thomas gave them extra steel in midfield and, for a time, Everton's only grounds for optimism were some further misjudgments by James, the Liverpool goalkeeper, who sallied forth for crosses and missed them with alarming regularity.
Initially Everton had no one around to exploit those errors as Liverpool probed purposefully, and Southall was in much greater danger than his opposite number. Soon after Short had landed on his neck and been carried off an X-ray subsequently showing no serious damage Liverpool took the lead, McManaman and Fowler opening the way and Thomsen turning the ball past Southall in his efforts to keep it away from Redknapp.
The goal spurred Everton and, as James faltered, a series of set pieces began to offer them hope. However, Thomas denied Ferguson on the line, with James absent, and, instead, the equaliser just past the hour came from an unlikely source, Duncan Ferguson turning right to drive a low shot into the net.
"When we were behind at half-time, with our second half performances recently, I feared the worse, but the response from the lads was absolutely fantastic," Dave Watson, the Everton caretaker player-manager, said.
Liverpool's response to the setback was electric; it was also unlucky, as Southall marked his fortieth derby appearance with a brilliant save to deny Redknapp and Fowler hit the woodwork twice in three minutes before clashing with Unsworth.
Report Copyright The Times
Guy Hodgson, The Independent: Wasted, Squandered. The words look like they are going to haunt Liverpool this season. They lost a chance to overtake Manchester United at the top of the Premiership last night but, for once, what they will be missing was as bad as what they missed.
Robbie Fowler, their top scorer with 30 goals, turned a disappointing result into a thoroughly demoralising one by being sent off seven minutes from time. Saturday's game against United will be his last of the season as a three-game suspension is a certainty, but a heavier punishment could be forthcoming because the England striker threw out his arm at David Unsworth as both left the field, dismissed for brawling.
It was an extraordinary climax to a Merseyside derby that, by the standards of these matches, had been relatively benign until its ugly and dramatic end. Liverpool, dominant in the first half, had taken the lead through Jamie Rednapp but Everton had replied through Duncan Ferguson. The visitors had been unlucky in that Fowler had hit the bar and a post, but nothing unusual seemed likely. Just a continuation of Everton's three-year unbeaten run of derbies.
That changed drastically just after Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, had left Goodison smiling at what appeared to be a satisfactory result. Fowler and Unsworth challenged for the ball once and when it broke to them again the Everton defender lunged in from behind.
As play continued down Liverpool's right flank, the two players remained locked together for a second until aggressive words became punches. The referee, Stephen Lodge, had little option but to send both of them off but as they left the field Fowler raised his arm again and had to be restrained by the reserve team coach, Sammy Lee.
'If the referee had seen the initial foul and blown up I don't think it would have happened,' Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, said. 'He didn't and it flared up. Unsworth came right through him from behind.
'The consequences are severe but we can't do anything about it. He's a top striker and to lose him for three games is a big blow. I can't say more than that.' Nor would he reveal whether Fowler would be fined, saying the matter will be dealt with internally.
The match was a continuation of Liverpool's theme of missed chances. After a couple of scares thanks to David James' sloppy handling, their precise passing and movement took them on to a plane that Everton could not cope with. Neville Southall had to dive to make saves from Steve McManaman and Mark Wright but the Everton goalkeeper did not have a chance with the 26th-minute goal.
A masterpiece it was, too, the sort of goal Liverpool's style is made for. McManaman played a delightful one-two with Fowler on the left and as the Everton defence charged to fill the breach he slid a lovely ball into the six-yard box. The movement had been so quick, the passing so precise that there was an empty net to aim for as Rednapp slid in, although Claus Thomsen seemed to get the final touch.
This was the prelude to a furious second-half onslaught by Everton who, having sensed James' weakness, pursued a policy of aerial attack. It was not pretty but it was effective and frequently Liverpool had to resort to uncharacteristic hacks anywhere to clear.
When the equaliser came, therefore, the only surprise was its build-up. Ferguson, a ferocious opponent last night, got the goal but instead of his signature headers he turned sweetly 20 yards out and struck a low shot into the corner of the net.
Liverpool needed a win as a prelude to Saturday's meeting with United and were desperately unlucky not to get it as Fowler headed against the bar after 69 minutes and shot against a post a minute later. It seemed it would not be his night until a moment of madness ensured it definitely would not be.
'This does not put us out of it,' Evans said. 'It's a point and it might be the one that wins the championship for us.' After last night that seems unlikely.
Ian Ross, The Guardian: Liverpool's famous resolve will be tested to its limit now after a black night on the blue half of Merseyside. That they defeat Manchester United at home on Saturday is imperative if they are indeed to return the league title to Anfield for the first time in seven seasons.
It is a task made the more difficult not so much by the careless loss of two more points but by the imminent loss of their most influential player, Robbie Fowler. As this frenetic parochial squabble edged towards its conclusion Fowler, along with David Unsworth, was sent off by Stephen Lodge after a bout of bare-knuckle fighting.
The pair had spent most of the evening squaring up to each other and the surprise was that they waited until seven minutes before the end before pressing flesh, an unpleasant tackle by Unsworth acting as the catalyst. Having been dismissed for violent conduct Fowler, the scorer of 30 goals this season, will now be suspended for the final three goals of his club's campaign.
He will be missing against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield and away against Wimbledon and Sheffield Wednesday. It may be even worse. As he walked off his composure deserted him for a second time and he clearly lunged again at Unsworth, an action which may precipitate a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.
'He is our top striker and to lose him for three games is a huge blow,' said the Liverpool manager Roy Evans. 'It would seem that the consequences for him are quite serious but that is something we cannot control. If the referee had seen the initial foul and blown for it, it wouldn't have happened.'
Liverpool had arrived at Goodison Park with their destiny in their own hands. They retreated back across Stanley Park knowing that they may overwhelm the old enemy from Old Trafford on Saturday morning and still be denied the Premiership.
Had luck favoured the overtly skilful rather than the grimly committed they might have won by a distance. Instead, Everton's commendable and courageous rally leaves Liverpool two points adrift of United having played one game more. Between Everton's second-half equaliser and Fowler's dismissal, the striker could have altered everything with his normal standards of marksmanship. His close-range header skimmed off the bar and he then struck the post from another clear chance.
Where Merseyside derbies are concerned, there is nothing like kicking one's rivals when they are up. Everton made no apologies for removing the iron fist from the velvet glove. Times are hard and it is their way at present. Liverpool knew what to expect. Everton flooded midfield, snapped and snarled at passing traffic and ensured the game was played at such a pace that thought was a luxury.
Liverpool have not beaten Everton for more than three years but there was more urgency to their football even than is normal on such occasions and, having negotiated safe passage through an uncomfortable early spell, they seized control. With possession came chances but the breakthrough they deserved did not come until the 26th minute. McManaman and Fowler combined effortlessly to cut a swath through the blue back-line and, as Rednapp lunged for the cross, it was Thomsen sliding in with him, who got the crucial touch into his own goal.
Everton's best chance of recovery appeared to lie in the flapping hands of the Liverpool goalkeeper James, who currently seems more juggler than last line of defence. Everton's attacks lacked creativity but with 25 minutes to go Duncan Ferguson, making something glorious out of something innocuous, turned smartly and steered a left-foot shot inside a post. It was a fabulous strike but not, according to Evans, a fatal blow to Liverpool's aspirations. 'Who knows, this might just be the point that wins the title for us,' he said.
Wednesday, 16 April 1997
EVERTON 1-1 LIVERPOOL 40,177 Ferguson(65) Redknapp(26) NEWCASTLE UNITED 3-1 CHELSEA 36,320 Shearer(12,35) Asprilla(30) Burley(62) WIMBLEDON 2-0 LEEDS UNITED 7,979 Holdsworth(19) Castledine(74)
Table after 16 April 1997
Club P W D L GF GA GD Pts Manchester United 33 19 9 5 66 38 28 66 Liverpool 34 18 10 6 57 30 27 64 Arsenal 34 18 9 7 57 28 29 63 Newcastle United 33 16 9 8 64 39 25 57 Aston Villa 34 16 8 10 43 30 13 56 Sheffield Wednesday 33 13 14 6 44 39 5 53 Wimbledon 33 13 10 10 44 40 4 49 Chelsea 34 13 10 11 53 53 0 49 Tottenham Hotspur 34 12 6 16 40 46 -6 42 Derby County 34 10 12 12 41 51 -10 42 Leeds United 34 11 9 14 26 36 -10 42 Everton 35 10 11 14 41 50 -9 41 Leicester City 33 10 10 13 38 47 -9 40 Blackburn Rovers 33 8 13 12 35 35 0 37 Coventry City 34 8 12 14 32 48 -16 36 Southampton 34 8 10 16 45 53 -8 34 West Ham United 33 8 10 15 31 43 -12 34 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Middlesbrough 32 9 9 14 44 52 -8 33* Southampton 33 7 10 16 43 53 -10 31 Nottingham Forest 34 6 13 15 29 52 -23 31 * Includes 3 pts deducted from Middlesbrough for illegal match postponement
This League Table Update provided by Lawrence "Leagueman" Breakey