Everton v Tottenham 12/04/97 3.00Everton (1) 1 Tottenham (0) 0 FT Speed 11 Dave Watson was savouring his first victory as Everton's caretaker player-manager tonight. And the three points gained thanks to Gary Speed's 11th-minute header should be enough to secure the club's FA Carling Premiership status. Watson has seen Everton lose to Aston Villa and draw with Leicester since temporarily replacing Joe Royle. His new role has not stopped him playing a big part on the field and he was immense in this bad-tempered game which saw nine players booked. Veteran keeper Neville Southall, often discarded by Royle, was also hugely impressive. Watson showed he was not afraid to make tough decisions in a bid to try and steer the club to safety. The club's record £5.75million signing Nick Barmby found himself relegated to the bench against his former club after a run of poor performances and Watson recalled midfielder Paul Rideout to the starting line-up for the first time since January. Rideout has had to put a move to Huan Dao Vanguards in China on hold until Watson is convinced their Premiership status is secured. Everton went ahead with a marvellous goal from Speed, his 11th of the season with Rideout playing his part. He held off Sol Campbell and delivered the ball to Graham Stuart on the right flank. He skipped past Justin Edinburgh and picked out Speed who powered a header beyond keeper Ian Walker. Tottenham hit back and Teddy Sheringham flicked a shot wide from close range after Edinburgh had driven the ball in. Then Southall superbly blocked a close-range header from Allan Nielsen following a cross from Stephen Carr with Watson mopping up. It was Nielsen's final move of the match as he was carried off shortly after following a nasty clash of heads with Watson. Everton should have extended their lead in the 28th minute when Stuart sprung Spurs' offside trap to release Duncan Ferguson. The Scotland striker took the ball on but his shot was weak and Walker was able to gather it comfortably. Sheringham was again out of luck eight minutes later when Ronny Rosenthal picked him out with a precise cross but the England striker mis-directed his header in front of the posts. His frustration boiled over in the 38th minute when he went in hard on Stuart, who then threw a punch. However, only Sheringham was booked. Spurs suffered another injury setback six minutes after the break when Carr suddenly pulled up and was carried off to be replaced by Ruel Fox. He immediately made an impact, floating in a fine free-kick from the edge of the box but Sol Campbell flicked his header wide. Barmby was given his chance in the 58th minute when he replaced the ineffective Michael Branch and was inches away from scoring an Everton second on the hour. Stuart knocked the ball across the face of the goal and Barmby raced in to steer the ball into the side netting with the crowd on their feet. Then Stuart saw Walker tip over his stinging 20-yard shot before picking up a booking for a challenge on Rosenthal. Sheringham curled in the free-kick only for Watson to clear off the line and Southall to beat away the rebound from substitute Neale Fenn. A minute later Everton were back on the attack and Walker positioned himslf superbly to take Ferguson's shot cleanly after he had raced into the penalty area. Everton, however, secured the victory they needed and should have banished their fears of Nationwide League football next season. 
Everton: Southall, Barrett, Watson, Phelan (Ball, 45), Stuart, Rideout, Ferguson, Speed, Thomsen, Branch (Barmby, 58), Dunne. Subs not used: Gerrard, Hottiger, Hills. Booked: Dunne, Ball, Stuart, Thomsen, Ferguson, Rideout. Tottenham: Walker, Edinburgh, Calderwood, Nielsen (Austin, 32), Sheringham, Dozzell, Rosenthal, Scales (Fenn, 46), Campbell, Vega, Carr (Fox, 51). Subs not used: Baardsen, McVeigh. Booked: Sheringham, Edinburgh, Austin. Attendance: 36,380. Referee: G S Willard (Worthing, W Sussex). |
