As Everton and Manchester United gear up for their upcoming clash at Goodison Park, it’s worth taking a stroll down memory lane to revisit some classic encounters between these two footballing giants at the historic venue. Today we took a look at five encounters at Goodison when Man Utd came out on top…
- December 1977: Everton 2-6 United
In a Boxing Day extravaganza in 1977, Everton, riding high in the First Division, faced a struggling United side managed by Dave Sexton. What unfolded was a goal fest, with Lou Macari bagging a brace and goals from Gordon Hill, Steve Coppell, and Brian Greenhoff contributing to a resounding 6-2 victory for the Red Devils. Macari, recalling the match, stated, “We won it for Dave Sexton,” marking Goodison Park as his lucky ground.
- May 2003: Everton 1-2 United
With the title already secured, Manchester United approached the final game of the 2002/03 season against Everton in a celebratory mood. However, Kevin Campbell’s backflicked header gave Everton an early lead. A stunning free-kick from David Beckham and a late penalty from Ruud van Nistelrooy secured a 2-1 victory, with the latter goal also securing the Golden Boot for the Dutch striker.
- February 2004: Everton 3-4 United
In a truly bonkers game of football, United faced Everton in 2004, marked by van Nistelrooy’s 100th and 101st goals for the club. The match saw an early three-goal lead for United, but a resilient Everton, backed by their home crowd, mounted a comeback. Cristiano Ronaldo’s assist set up van Nistelrooy for the inevitable winner in a thrilling 4-3 victory.
- April 2007: Everton 2-4 United
A topsy-turvy Saturday lunchtime clash in 2007 saw United trailing 2-0 to Everton after an hour. However, a dramatic turn of events, including goals from John O’Shea, a Phil Neville own goal, Wayne Rooney’s cool finish, and Chris Eagles’ maiden effort, secured a remarkable 4-2 comeback victory. The win played a crucial role in United maintaining their three-point lead in the title race.
- October 2015: Everton 0-3 United
In 2015, under the management of Louis van Gaal, Manchester United ended a run of three consecutive away defeats at Goodison Park with a convincing 3-0 win. Goals from Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera, and Wayne Rooney, facing his former club, silenced the home crowd and showcased United’s dominance on the day.
As we look ahead to the upcoming clash, it’s evident that Goodison Park has been witness to some unforgettable moments in the Everton vs. Man Utd rivalry. The history between these two clubs adds an extra layer of excitement to their encounters, making the upcoming match a must-watch for football fans. Whether it’s the ghosts of past victories or the anticipation of new heroes, Goodison Park remains a stage for the drama and magic of football.