December 22, 1919
Goalless ‘Derby’ game.
The first of the local “Derbies” ended in a drawn game. On the play Liverpool could certainly lay claim to the distinction of being the better side. The forwards could do everything except beat Fern, and their inaccuracy in front of goal prevented the Anfielders taking full honours.
In the first half Liverpool looked to have the game well in hand. They were quicker on the ball and more reliable in defence than Everton, while their attacks had plenty of snap till the final stage was reached when they seemed to vanish into thin air.
After the change of ends play was more even, and in the closing stages Everton made their most vigorous attacks, but the Anfielders defence came through the ordeal successfully. The game was never really brilliant although both sides played hard earnest football.
Early in the second half Chambers was badly injured, and the line was reshuffled, Chambers going outside right and Lacey centre. The rearrangement did not work well and Chambers left the field twelve minutes from the end.
Liverpool gave evidence of their keenness right from the start, and in the first few minutes the Everton goal had a wonderful escape. Lacey headed in a beautifully placed ball from Sheldon and, with Fern beaten, Page who was standing in the goal, got the ball away with his knee. Liverpool claimed that the ball was over the goal line when Page cleared, and their claim appeared to be justified, but the referee ignored the appeal.
Everton’s best effort was a long swift volley from Clennell, and Campbell made a glorious save by scooping the ball away with his right hand. There was a perfect understanding between Lacey and Sheldon, and their work in the first half was excellent. Lacey often tried to force the issue on his own initiative and Fern cleverly saved several fine shots from the Liverpool inside men.
Page was again instrumental in saving the Everton goal when he kicked the ball out of goal after Pearson had hooked it in from the goal line with Fern yards away. Chedgzoy made a gallant bid for the winning point in the closing stages, and Campbell saved a perfect shot with rare skill.
Liverpool were a well-balanced side, and their display was a great improvement upon any of their previous games. The defence was rarely in difficulties and Longworth was vigorous and confident. Of the half-backs one did better than Bromilow.
Pearson and Lewis did not blend well, Lacey and Sheldon being easily the better wing. The Everton defence was not really so certain as the Liverpool rear division, and the half-backs were often overwhelmed by the swift movements of the Liverpool forwards.
The Everton attack had very little sting in it. Kirsopp was a poor leader, Jones and Chedgzoy were badly paired, and Clennell and Harrison were easily subdued.
Teams:
Everton: Tommy Fern, John Page, Louis Weller, William Brown, Tom Fleetwood, Alan Grenyer, George Jones, Sam Chedgzoy, Billy Kirsopp, Joe Clennell, George Harrison.
Liverpool: Kenneth Campbell, Ephraim Longworth, Donald Mackinlay, John Bamber, Walter Wadsworth, Tom Bromilow, Jack Sheldon, William Lacey, Harry Chambers, Harry Lewis, Albert Pearson.
(Liverpool Daily Post: December 22, 1919)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 