The Year We (Nearly) Won the League by Jonathan Baker

Author:Jonathan Baker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pitch Publishing
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

John Ritchie had proved his fitness by scoring four for the reserves, and he came back into the team for the resumption of hostilities with Everton. But Waddington sent shockwaves running through the fans by recalling him at the expense of Greenhoff. Partnering Ritchie and Hurst up front was seen as a sign that Waddington expected another tight and difficult game in which strength and power would be needed. But it was the first time he had dropped Greenhoff in the striker’s five years at the club, and it set tongues wagging at a furious pace. It was the only change for either side from the first encounter. Everton had followed up the purchase of Latchford with a further sign of their ambition, spending another £300,000 on Burnley midfielder Martin Dobson. But the paperwork was not completed in time for Dobson to feature in the game.

First Division: Stoke City v Everton

Don Revie is in the crowd, and Hudson surely impresses him with another display of control, awareness and probing passing. The England manager also sees Pejic and Smith perform strongly. Stoke have the more flair in midfield, but Everton more than match them in most other departments – hard running, hard tackling and good organisation at the back.

Salmons is again involved in some strong bursts down the left, with Ritchie heading one of his crosses just wide, not long after Hudson has powered a 25-yarder only a few inches the wrong side of the post. Latchford comes close for Everton before Hudson twice puts in Ritchie, but his first shot is deflected and Lawson saves the other. It’s an entertaining, high-octane contest, but at the interval the crowd is still waiting for the first goal.

It comes early in the second half, and it is Everton who go ahead. Latchford muscles past Dodd to bury a powerful header from a free kick. Farmer gets a hand to it but cannot keep it out. Latchford nearly repeats the trick later, but this time Farmer makes a great save, pushing another tremendous header over the bar.

John Mahoney is not best known for his goalscoring, but with 15 minutes left he is on target for the second time in four games. It is another header, the Welshman diving to head Haslegrave’s cross from the right past Lawson. Stoke finish the stronger, with Haslegrave and Conroy both missing good chances. Once again though, the Everton defence holds firm and their impressive start to the season continues as they return to Merseyside with a point. The Hurst-Ritchie combination, showing a preference for power over the subtlety and precision offered by Greenhoff, does not really come off.

Stoke City 1 (Mahoney 75) Everton 1 (Latchford 53)

Attendance: 27,594

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