“My nerves were shot walking up to Goodison last night. I could feel the tension within me building as I approached the ground. I had a couple of pints of Thailand’s finest beer (Chang) before kick off to try and calm myself but it was no use, that tension didn’t stop until this morning when everything had sunk in properly. The game itself was a scrappy affair with each side just cancelling each other out and I thought the goal would never come but right at the death of extra time young Dan Gosling pops up in the right place at the right time to produce a superb curling shot which went beyond Reina and into the Park End net to send the blue army into ecstasy! I was hurled over several seats during the pandemonium! It was well worth the scraped knees and elbows!

The sheer emotion and passion around the ground was something to behold and the scenes at the end were incredible as the final whistle went. It will live long in the memory of thousands of Evertonians and rightly so.”

Ste EFC – FollowEverton Reader

“I live in Mexico and though the game was on live, starting at about 1 pm I had to start work at 3. I watched most of the game but had to leave before the end. I left my girlfriend watching the game with strict instructions to text should anything happen (she didn’t tell me about the sending off, she’s American and doesn’t really understand). So I’m sitting in the class trying my best to teach. My phone goes off and I check it, we’ve scored. Naturally I jump up and shout ‘Yeeesssssss’. This rather confused my students but when I explained it led to a discussion about the game and what it meant. I’d like to claim that I was objective and gave the Liverpool side of the story but that would be a lie. As a result my whole class are now Everton supporters and hate Liverpool. A result all round”

TeacherBlue – FollowEverton Reader

“I was sitting at home watching the game on ITV 1, my nerves were terrible during the game at Anfield, but this was worse; there could be no draw, there had to be a winner, I’d either be elated or depressed. Despite the lack of threat on the Everton goal from an unusally poor Liverpool side, I still had no nails left after 45 minutes. I was sure we’d get a few players sent off, but then went Lucas got sent off I started to believe that it could be our night. I was sure it was going to penalties, then suddenly with 2 minutes left ITV decided to go an ad break, after being persuaded to buy a Volkswagen and a BT phone they finally returned to the game. First thing I was the whole Everton squad lying on top of Dan Gosling, I looked up in the top corner and it was 1-0, I couldn’t believe I’d missed it, I couldn’t believe we’d scored, it was surreal. After jumping up and down for a few minutes I sat back down and started biting my nails again but once the final whistle went I could celebrate. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, maybe if I’d seen the goal I’d believe it.”

onejolylescott – FollowEverton Reader

“Possibly one of the dullest derbies I’ve witnessed for a while, chances were few and far between, and the game that had penalties written all over it. We all know how jammy the other lot are when it comes to spot kicks. Unfortunately ITV chose to switch some plugs around and I didn’t get to see the goal as it happened, but when what had happened was clocked, the celebrations started. For the final 4 minutes my legs felt like jelly, the heart couldn’t take it. Then the final whistle.
Unfortunately the game will be remembered for the way we couldn’t witness the goal live, but hopefully that should be ignored. 3 matches against the reds, two draws and a win, not a bad record for a ‘small club’.
And Dan Gosling, no matter how young, how little you have/may play in an Everton shirt, you are already an Everton legend.”

Toffeemax – FollowEverton Reader
“As I was walking through the turnstiles I could sense a big night ahead of us. Nothing beats the famous Goodison nights under the floodlights. As the team was announced I felt very confident. We hadn’t beat Liverpool since that famous September 9th 2006 Summer’s day. As And If Y’Know Your History came on i saw every seat filled up and everyone was bearing themselves for a big night ahead of them. Z-Cars came on and the roar was immense as the team came out. The games first talking point was Gerrards withdrawal and the crowd sounded like we had scored. I suppose it was a personal victory for all those haters of the cocky reds. Everton dominated most of the game after that with chances falling to Leon Osman twice- one of them crashing against the bar. Chants of F*** off back to Norway were ringing around the ground and the odd chant of “ladyboy” when Torres’ head popped out of Jagielka’s pocket. Lucas had recieved his marching orders for a silly challenge on Lescott and the Goodison faithful began to feel this was to be their night. The full time whistle blew and it was extra time. Dan Gosling, Jack Rodwell and Andy Van Der Meyde were all brought on during the second half and extra time. With 3 minutes to go Van Der Meyde recieved the ball on the wing whipped a cross in that evaded Arbeloa, it fell to 19 year old Dan Gosling who swivelled on the ball and placed the ball into the net via a small deflection. Goodison went mad and was literally rocking. Dan Gosling’s most important touch of a football since he was born had just happened. Everyone was standing and jumping on their seats waiting for the whistle and when it went the roar was so loud it was unbelievable. People running onto the pitch, standing on the advertisement hoardings, hugging each other and basically going mental. Celebrations were going on for at least 20 minutes and that took its toll on my poor seat! Broken and jarred but well worth it. Celebrations went on into the streets until the noise began to go smaller and smaller into the dark night. A truly memorable night for any Evertonian at Goodison Park.”

PaulLopez – FollowEverton Reader

Here is a video we love:

2 Responses »

1. Paul on February 5th, 2009 at 11:29 pm:

   How small time can you get – beating a ten man team and celebrating for 20 mins after the final whistle. Was nice to see you actually leave your own half for the first time in ten games once Lucas was sent off. Small club, small mentality. Enjoy the shopping at Tescos

2. Max on February 6th, 2009 at 8:17 pm:

   So then Paul, how do you feel being beaten by a small club and held at home two games in a row? CLearly our small mentality has led us to score more goals overall in all three games, get more out of all the games and best of all, knock you lot of your top spot and the cup. Enjoy another trophyless season after spending silly money in the summer.