November 3, 1941
Though football finance isn’t of any great consequence these days –except to clubs and directors guaranteeing overdrafts – it is worth noting that the two Liverton Derbies yielded over £1,500 gross – more evidence that the right sort of football still pulls. Goodison’s 14,500 paid £810, biggest war time gate here apart from the international two years ago.
More to the points, spectators got full value in a game which produced thrills galore. I reckon Everton deserved to win because of their second half pressure.
In the first portion there was little between the sides, though Liverpool, moving by long sweeping passes, were better in attack, gaining twice the ground with half the effort of Everton’s close passing game.
Unfortunately for Liverpool their defence did not quite last out the second portion, which Everton, mainly via heroic work by Stevenson, staged a sustained rally which kept it on the collar.
Liverpool upset home supporters by Done’s first-minute opportunist goal, but it didn’t upset Everton who took the lead through two good goals by Bentham. Just on half-time Liverpool notched a real another from Liddell the best shot of the day.
Everton gradually gained the ascendancy in the second half without being able to translate their advantage into goals, whereas Liverpool always looked dangerous when they got away. Then came a glut of four goals in the last ten minutes.
Two to Everton, by Jones (H.) and Bentham, were rather scrambling things through earned by the amount of their pressure then came a brilliant Liddell run half the length of the field, at the end of which the winger offered Done a grit goal; and finally a Lyon effort to make it 5-3.
On top of the night that counted we had three that didn’t – two to Liverpool and one to Everton.
Liddell and Stevenson
Obviously there was plenty of shooting above the average, as a matter of fact, but much was hasty and ill-directed. Had all the easy chances been taken twice as many goals would have been scored.
Outstanding forwards of the day were Liddell and Stevenson. The former is definitely in the international standard on recent showings. Stevenson was the power behind Everton’s revival with Bentham an admirable seconder, Harry Jones was unimpressive, and Owen and Lyon mediocre.
Everton’s half backs line was sound, with Mercer outstanding and Watson sound and solid. Liverpool’s attack, good in the first half faded out somewhat later, when Fagan tired and Nieuwenhuys became patchy.
Done was consistently dangerous. Carney was a grand worker, always in the thick of things and Whittaker and Kaye did well until the strain became too much late on.
The rear defences on both sides were good, though Cook had a tough task against Liddell.
In short, it was a grand game, not over productive of brilliant football, perhaps apart from individuals, but keenly contested and full enough of thrills to send the crowd away well satisfied.
(Liverpool Echo: November 3, 1941)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 