On This Day In Everton History: August 29th

In today’s ‘On This Day’ feature, we look back at perfect starts in royal blue for Howard Kendall in the dugout and Kevin Mirallas on the pitch, as well as a goal-scoring record that still stands to this day:

1978 - Latchford nets five as Blues run riot against Wimbledon

Today marks the 42nd anniversary of a record still in place today; the last time an Everton player scored five goals in a match.

It was Bob Latchford who managed the feat that no player in royal blue has reached since, netting a quintet in the Blues’ 8-0 thrashing of Wimbledon at Goodison Park. Martin Dobson also got in the act with a hat-trick of his own.

It was also the most recent match which saw Everton score eight goals; clearly, as the above tweet shows, it was all too much for the poor Goodison scoreboard to take in...

1981 - Kendall off the mark as Birmingham swept aside

At the end of a disappointing 1980-81 campaign, which saw Everton finish 15th and trophyless, Gordon Lee was sacked as Blues manager. In his place returned former player Howard Kendall, who had just missed out on promotion to the First Division with Blackburn as player-manager the year before.

Kendall wasted no time in revamping the squad, bringing in seven new faces including Neville Southall and Mickey Thomas before the 1981-82 campaign even began. As first impressions went, his debut as boss against Birmingham City, where he was given a hero’s welcome before kick-off, proved a positive one.

Not at first, though. Toine van Mierlo diverted home a Birmingham corner after four minutes to put the visitors ahead, but Everton fought back thanks to Alan Ainscow’s quick equaliser.

Asa Hartford missed a twice-taken penalty before the break, squandering the chance to put Everton ahead, but goals after the interval from Peter Eastoe and Alan Biley at either end of the second half ensured a good first day at the office for Kendall.

2012 - Mirallas at the double as Leyton Orient hammered

Another who enjoyed a strong start to Goodison life was Kevin Mirallas, who marked his first start in royal blue with a brace in this 5-0 home win over League One’s Leyton Orient in the League Cup second round eight years ago today.

Mirallas, whose Everton departure to Antwerp will reach its one-year anniversary tomorrow, was on hand to put his new side ahead after just 16 minutes - after a dog had comically invaded the pitch, that is.

The Belgian forward got his second and Everton’s third on the half-hour mark after Leon Osman had doubled their lead, before Victor Anichebe sent the hosts in 4-0 ahead at the break. Magaye Gueye capped off a good night’s work after the interval with a fifth, with Everton then drawn away to Leeds in the next round.