October 1, 1932
Liverpool show Everton how to shoot
Elisha Scott, who captained Liverpool at Goodison Park today in the 63rd League Derby match with Everton, was honoured because of his magnificent run with the Anfield club. He has now completed more than 400 league appearances, and with F.A. Cup-ties and international matches, is well on the way to 500 games.
When he took the field Scott, was greeted with a cheer his wonderful record deserved. Queues had formed outside the ground long before the gates opened, and an hour before the kick off the Goodison Road stand had “house full” labels posted outside. The early morning rain seemed to have kept many people away – at least there was plenty of room in the paddock. I should say there were 50,000 spectators present when the teams took the field. By the way, Scott holds the distinction of having appeared in more Derby games than any player on record. There were a few rattles and a big display of club favours, but except for the extra attendance of ambulance men and policemen, it was just an ordinary match day.
Teams:
Everton: Ted Sagar, Ben Williams, Warney Cresswell, Cliff Britton, Tommy White, Jock Thomson, Ted Critchley, Jimmy McGourty, Dixie Dean, Tosh Johnson, Jimmy Stein.
Liverpool: Elisha Scott, Willie Steel, James Jackson, Tom Morrison, Tom Bradshaw, Jimmy McDougall, Harold Barton, Gordon Hodgson, Dave Wright, Archie Macpherson, Gordon Gunson.
Referee: Mr. H.E. Hull (Burnley).
The Game.
Scott was given a wonderful reception when he went up to toss Dean and the referee extending congratulations. Dean won the toss and gained the advantage of the wind, though facing the sun.
Liverpool were quickly away, Morrison’s snappy feeding causing Sagar to run out and pick up with Gunson looming dangerous. Dean made a wry pass, and way went Barton, who was unlucky to find Gunson offside when he tried a short header. The Reds’ opening was strong and convincing. Soon McGourty weaved a spell in collaboration with Critchley, but Johnson’s find effort went behind. Liverpool tried to profit by the quick throw-in, but Cresswell was there to prevent danger, and when McGourty flung a wide pass to Stein, the Scot centred a beautiful ball, which was Dean’s or Scott’s.
Great Chance Missed.
Scott never moved, and Dean, by watching for Jackson took his eye off the ball and missed a great chance. Everton kept it up, Stein doing good work, thanks to judicious leading, Scott having to run out to pick up after Dean had robbed Steel. Steel held up the Dean-Stein combination in brilliant fashion, and Everton profited by some misjudged passing on the part of the Anfield men. Sagar had to field a high, bouncing ball, with Wright in attendance, and pull down a great shot from Hodgson after Wright had exploited a typical Dean back pass. Liverpool had a narrow escape when Stein’s centre was missed by McDougall and Jackson, and when Critchley flashed one by the post. McGourty displayed delightful football craft in drawing the defence and delivering a through ball, which Stein just failed to reach.
Hot Pace.
The game continued at a hot pace, with Everton displaying the more accurate combination, in that few of their passes went astray. Much of Liverpool’s attacking work was ruined through Wright getting offside. Cresswell was now back defending with great skill, but McPherson had to change places with Gunson. Scott had to race to the far post to clear from Stein, and there was a roar as Dean raced through to challenge Scott, the goalkeeper won. White was spoken to by the referee for an unnecessary foul on Barton, who was forced to go to the touch line for attention.
“Artillery” Silent.
Play continued exciting with Everton still enjoying the balances of play, but never bringing the artillery into action. In the first 35 minutes Scott had not been asked to deal with a single straight shot. There you have the vital difference between the teams. Liverpool attacked less, but looked more dangerous. Everton should have equalised when Dean ran through after Jackson had mis-kicked, but he moved away from goal when he called up Stein, and the Reds’ were given the chance to cover up in their most effective style. At last a direct shot from an Everton foot. It came after 40 minutes. Dean received another down-the-middle pass and this time, after giving a body swerve elected to work solo. He let go with his left foot, but Scott was able to get across and save on one knee. A close up free kick to Liverpool unquestionably ended in a player handling; whether he was Blue or Reds I have no idea –any way the attack fizzled out, thanks to some brainy interception by Cresswell.
Liverpool attacked only spasmodically, but Everton despite their pressure, never looked like getting a goal. Wright shot wide from the penalty spot, while Scott fisted away a lob centre from Johnson. McGourty was proving the cleverest footballers on the field, and following his good work Bradshaw was prominent in cutting Critchley’s well-judged centres. Dean ran out to help Stein, and shouldered Steel off the ball, so that Stein’s centre almost curled into the net, Scott having to push it aside for the first corner of the game. From this Critchley, with another even money chance, screwed the ball outside. Everton were having more of the game, and it was the Reds’ defence, which was kept moving at top speed. In 20 minutes the first argument arose. Liverpool got the ball into the net. The attack developed on the right, but Wright and Gunson were in offside positions. Sagar parried Wright’s shot, but with Gunson attacking, it fell down and cross the line. The whistle already sounded for offside.
Macpherson Hurt.
Macpherson was hurt in a collision with Cresswell and received a nasty cut over the eye, which necessitated him leaving the field. Cresswell also went off, and during their absence Liverpool took the lead through Gunson in 22 minutes. Williams elected to head a ball instead of leaving it to Sagar, and Wright had a chance for a shot. The centre-forward aimed well, but Sagar had the ball covered. At the crucial moment Williams touched the ball with his foot, and it turned across to Gunson who had an open goal to shoot at. Gunson made no mistake. Macpherson resumed at outside left, but it was still Everton who enjoyed the balance of attack, two corners being forced with avail, while Williams and Thomson joined in the shooting without troubling Scott. Liverpool were the fifth team visiting Goodison Park this season who had scored first.
Half-time Everton 0 Liverpool 1.
Everton had only themselves to blame for being behind at the interval. They had attacked for 30 minutes of the first 45, yet only two shots had been delivered to Scott. Fine constructive work was wasted, not only because of a reluctance to shoot, but an inability to finish. It was an exciting game, which kept the crowd at fever heat.
Everton’s 2-Goals-A-Minute Shock for Reds.
Victory Gained in Second Half Revival.
Liverpool’s “Fade-Out”.
The crowd had not perceptibly increased when the game was resumed, but Liverpool almost took a second goal when Barton was allowed to go on when he was at least five yards offside. He was well clear of any opponent when he received the pass, but as he went through Sagar came out to narrow the angle and saved, low down, when he appeared to have no chance whatever. Twice Bradshaw intercepted when all seemed lost, and twice Wright shot wide from distance. Following a free kick Dean headed on top of the crossbar. Macpherson had resumed in his usual position, and he delivered a vital pass, which left the Everton defence open, so that Wright got through with only Sagar to beat.
Sagar Saves Again.
Once again Sagar won the day, flinging himself out to turn the ball aside. There was a big thrill when Stein hit the upright. Sagar pulled down a shot from Hodgson, while he fisted two menacing lob centres, with the Reds’ forwards rampant. It was the same story, Everton always promising goals, but Liverpool being the side most likely to get them. McGourty had a fine chance for a shot, but elected to feed Critchley, whose centre flashed across the face of the goal with no one there top do the necessary.
The Equaliser.
At the 61st minute Critchley equalised with a really fine goal. The ball was flashed across from the left, and Dean outwitted Bradshaw when he edged it across to the right. Jackson seemed to have the ball covered, but Critchley, swerved around him at top speed, brought the ball under control, and crashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Everton piled on the pressure McGourty driving in a fine shot which took Scott all his time to clear. Everton should have taken the lead when Stein broke through following great work by McGourty and Johnson, but with all the goal to shoot at he placed by the near post. It was a bad miss. Dean gave Everton the lead in 73 minutes with a typical header. McGourty and Johnson had inter-passed with great accuracy, and Johnson whipped the pass out to Stein.
Dean’s Header.
Stein’s centre was brilliantly delivered, and before Scott could as much as come out to punch away Dean had levelled into the roof of the net. Within a minute Dean had placed Everton in the comfortable position of 3-1. He snapped up a pass from McGourty, rounded Jackson, and beat Scott all ends up with a right foot shot. Everton should have made it four when Johnson had a clear opening from Critchley’s pass, but he would not trust his right foot, and Liverpool were able to cover up. Liverpool had more of the game now, but they seemed to have been infected by Everton’s first half finishing style, and were more often than not off the mark. Bradshaw had to go to the line with a lag injury. Bradshaw soon resumed, and after Liverpool had exploited the offside game to their advantage, they came back to force two corners, but Sagar took command.
Final. Everton 3, Liverpool 1.
(Source: Evening Express: October 1, 1932)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 