Royal Blue Mersey - Everton Classic Game Rewind: The 1995 FA Cup FinalIt's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2020-03-21T20:00:00+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/209523832020-03-21T20:00:00+00:002020-03-21T20:00:00+00:005 Telling Stats from Everton’s Glorious 1-0 FA Cup Final Win Over Man Utd
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<img alt="Soccer - FA Cup Final - Manchester United v Everton - Wembley Stadium" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OAviJ3gQ4T7wAE1ol66ou6AfPj4=/0x0:7000x4667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66536770/650094472.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em><strong>What did the numbers tell us about the triumph?</strong></em></p> <p id="929hwp"><em>As part of our Everton Classic Game Rewind, the entire site coverage is taking you back to the fateful weekend of 19th-21st May, 1995 (</em><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21187043/everton-news-recap-manchester-united-fa-cup-final-1995-preview-royle-amokachi-classic-game-rewind"><em>more details here</em></a><em>). Here’s the stats recap from the epic win in that </em><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup"><em>FA Cup</em></a><em> Final.</em></p>
<p id="Pd3zLk">The Blues have done it! </p>
<p id="OmHq8Z">Our seemingly everlasting eight-year wait for a trophy has finally come to an end thanks to a 1-0 victory over <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> in the 1995 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> Final.</p>
<p id="G0R3Q0">So, it’s official: <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> are winners again!</p>
<p id="6Z5vSs">But what did the numbers tell us?</p>
<h2 id="dr5lSX">Royle-ty</h2>
<p id="aDhBXx"><em><strong>New boss ends season with 50% win rate</strong></em></p>
<p id="BlnYlL">It’s been a tough start to the Premier League era for the Blues and after last season’s great escape and a woeful start to the season under Mike Walker, Everton have finally flourished under Joe Royle.</p>
<p id="Y7Jdue">Everton won just one game out of a possible 16 under Walker, but Royle has worked a miracle since returning to Goodison Park, winning exactly half of his 34 games in charge – culminating in prized silverware at Wembley.</p>
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<h2 id="I58kvB">Rideout to the Rescue</h2>
<p id="VP31vA"><em><strong>Bags his 15</strong></em><sup><em><strong>th</strong></em></sup><em><strong> goal of the season</strong></em></p>
<p id="LVUxx7">It’s been a breakthrough season for Paul Rideout and he couldn’t have finished it any finer fashion.</p>
<p id="ukWhDD">His poacher’s finish at Wembley was his 16<sup>th</sup> of the season – almost double the amount he achieved in his first two seasons at Goodison Park.</p>
<p id="InXbdm">Duncan Ferguson was only fit enough to start on the bench at Wembley, but one would hope the Scottish striker – signed for a mammoth £4 million in November – will go on to form a lethal partnership as the Blues look to return to title contention next season. And let’s face it, if Blackburn can do it, surely Everton can too.</p>
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<h2 id="NlMZ9l">Unsworth Blossoming</h2>
<p id="8VusBP"><em><strong>7 clean sheets from last 8</strong></em></p>
<p id="8WtBLP">Young David Unsworth has grown immensely this season and he’s flourished under the watchful eye of Joe Royle and the perfect mentor in Dave Watson – who picked up the man of the match award - next to him.</p>
<p id="tTefXn">Everton have looked rock-solid at the end of the season, keeping 7 clean sheets from their last 8 games.</p>
<p id="mxpgPK">Despite being just 21 years of age, the strong defender has featured in every league game this season and one would expect him to get an England call-up sooner or later.</p>
<h2 id="bNKjU0">A Team To Build Upon</h2>
<p id="4Bf5aZ"><em><strong>5 players aged 24 or under</strong></em></p>
<p id="aEnWb5">If this performance showed us anything, it’s that the future looks bright under Joe Royle.</p>
<p id="Lpvanx">This young team, flanked by the experience Dave Watson, Neville Southall and Anders Limpar, saw five players aged 24 and under starting the game: David Unsworth, Gary Ablett, Barry Horne, Matt Jackson and Barry Horne – with even more fresh legs joining them from the bench in Duncan Ferguson and Daniel Amokachi.</p>
<p id="c22NG3">If Everton can keep this youthful spine together, exciting times await.</p>
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<h2 id="2oPNLn">8 More Years? Never Again…</h2>
<p id="hMEAu4"><em><strong>Everton finally end long 8-year wait for trophy</strong></em></p>
<p id="XZPQdu">No one can argue that Blues’ fans aren’t patient. It’s felt like an eternity since Everton last lifted a major trophy – the 1987 league title – but silverware will finally return to Goodison Park.</p>
<p id="142ffv">And with rumours of a new stadium on the horizon, plus with a squad bristling with young talent like David Unsworth, Duncan Ferguson and Joe Parkinson, Everton will surely be back challenging for domestic and European honours on a regular basis in the coming years with a bright young manager in Joe Royle at the helm.</p>
<p id="1W6gvG">COYB!</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/21/21189344/5-telling-stats-everton-glorious-1-0-fa-cup-final-manchester-united-1995-rideout-royle-unsworthPete Reynolds2020-03-21T19:20:25+00:002020-03-21T19:20:25+00:00Everton Classic Game Rewind: FA Cup Final 1995 | Live: Everton 1-0 Man Utd
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<img alt="Soccer - FA Cup Final - Manchester United v Everton - Wembley Stadium" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Cjni_0MiR2X14R9MYaqWEXFv_js=/44x0:2041x1331/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66536672/830843500.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean Dempsey - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Can the Blues finish off a miserable season with a piece of silverware?</p> <p id="kGwaRe"><em>As part of our Everton Classic Game Rewind, the entire site coverage is taking you back to the fateful weekend of 19th-21st May, 1995 (</em><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21187043/everton-news-recap-manchester-united-fa-cup-final-1995-preview-royle-amokachi-classic-game-rewind"><em>more details here</em></a><em>). Here’s the live blog from the epic win in that </em><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup"><em>FA Cup</em></a><em> Final, watch </em><a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2kg0qx"><em>the full game here</em></a><em>. </em></p>
<h1 id="JCtlFc">Live Blog</h1>
<p id="ickMZv"><strong>Fulltime Thoughts -</strong> What a brave and composed performance from this Everton side. They have looked efficient throughout the entire tournament and even more so today. Strong performances all over the pitch, Limpar led the way early, Watson was a giant in defence and Southall made all the timely saves. Fantastic, fantastic win! Everton’s first major trophy in eight years. and fifth <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> win. </p>
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<p id="8jpDr0">90+2’ - Giggs now wins a corner off the tireless Unsworth. Watson and Southall calming down their defence, Schmeichel in the Everton box too.. corner cleared, bobbles past him and now Amokachi breaks out of the box with the ball at his feet, and a gaping goal in front of him seventy yards away! <br>Schmeichel is not even trying to get back and it takes three United players to foil the Nigerian forward... AND THERE’S THE FINAL WHISTLE!! LIMBSSSS AT WEMBLEY!! Everton have won the FA Cup!! </p>
<p id="6JF2Ay">90+1’ - Irwin launches a ball into the box and the hefty Southall jumps up commandingly and pulls down the ball amidst a crowd of players. The Welshman really cuts an imposing figure on the pitch. </p>
<p id="9slrya">90’ - Now Amokachi concedes a needless freekick just inside his own half, Schmeichel screams at everyone to go into the box and will take this himself. Hoofed up high, Pallister heads back into the box and Hughes goes to shoot.. blocked by Watson! Leading by example our captain! </p>
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<p id="fTePPa">87’ - United have a freekick and Giggs will take it. What’s this, goalkeeper Schmeichel is up now too! Giggs puts it right at the penalty spot and the Dane jumps for it, but the defence rises highest and head away. Irwin tries to volley the ball back at goal and it bounces wide. Relief, for now. </p>
<p id="8Q7K7X">86’ - It’s starting to boil over now, Hughes is given a yellow card for a nasty tackle on Horne, who then promptly follows him into the book after taking out Ince. Both of United’s centrehalves have taken up residence in the Everton defensive third for now. </p>
<p id="kASTfJ">80’ - Another couple of chances for United, Ince’s diving header is blocked and Pallister’s header from a cross on the opposite wing gobbled up by inspired Southall. Hearts in mouths as Watson rallies his troops!</p>
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<figcaption>Southall saves from Scholes</figcaption>
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<p id="epWrp3">77’ - Southall you beauty! The pace of Giggs has been a terrifying for the Toffees to deal with and he set off on a mazy run through the middle before sliding in Scholes free on the right. The midfielder’s first shot was saved by Southall, but the ball was parried away straight back to Scholes and he tried to tap it past the Welshman and again the goalie saves, spreadeagled and kicking the ball away. </p>
<p id="rzmN5c">76’ - Chance! Ablett catches the United backline napping and feeds a cross into the box, Schmeichel charges out and Big Dunc bravely goes up against him, the goalie gets a fist to the ball just before a crunching collision. </p>
<p id="xtnvqR">72’ - Alex Ferguson sends on his second and final sub Scholes for Sharpe. Batten down the hatches Blues, this is going to be gripping. </p>
<p id="iwaV6w">68’ - More drama! Giggs has been lively since he came on, and his deflected cross finds McClair.. his looping header is palmed onto the bar by Southall, and then Parkinson clears as Hughes almost gets the rebound. <br>Royle knows he needs fresh legs, and takes off the Blues’ Man of the Match Limpar with Amokachi on now. </p>
<p id="Z0R5w5">67’ - Hinchcliffe finds an overlapping Ablett who neither shoots nor crosses as the ball spins away from him towards the corner flag. </p>
<p id="hofHGD">64’ - Oh boy. Unsworth put in a desperate tackle on McClair and the ball almost sat perfectly for Sharpe to tie it. </p>
<p id="fkREBk">63’ - Now Hinchcliffe, who still doesn’t look at 100%, gets behind the backline and his lofted cross is begging to be headed home, but Schmeichel parries it away. </p>
<p id="1PXDfy">61’ - Big Dunc almost ends the contest! The Scotsman got past Pallister and with just Schmeichel to beat chooses to cross and it’s cleared. <br><em>‘Dream On, Dunc’s Back’</em> says the banner held by an Everton fan.. and we were dreaming of a Wembley goal for the youngster there. </p>
<p id="Me2yS2">55’ - More of the same from the first half really, with Everton keeping United out with two solid banks of four. The Red Devils are winning the battle on the wings though and it’ll be an area of concern for Royle.</p>
<p id="KjHDij">51’ - Rideout got clattered by Neville and now will make way for Duncan Ferguson who is raring to go today. </p>
<p id="HUxwoj">47’ - Oof, double mistake almost evens it. Giggs did well to take advantage of a miss by Unsworth, and his low cross into the box was whiffed on by Ablett, and Butt pounced on the loose ball but it was smothered well by the onrushing Southall. </p>
<p id="CDI0e7">46’ - Bruce does not return for the second half, and Giggs will replace him. His attacking threat is going to keep the Blues on their toes, though the Welsh winger is coming back from a hamstring injury of his own. </p>
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<img alt="Barry Horne of Everton (L) and Paul Ince of Manche" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cR7Vk33etWFUN26KW4oYUWo_D50=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19823612/51974200.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo credit should read GERRY PENNY/AFP via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>From left: Horne, Ince, Watson in the foreground and Parkinson</figcaption>
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<p id="iETDIh"><strong>Halftime Thoughts</strong> - United have controlled possession, but it’s Everton who have looked the most dangerous especially on the counter, and lead 1-0. Limpar has looked very lively and the defence has looked solid. </p>
<p id="m1BZaG">45+2’ - Butt almost gets in behind Ablett who looked to have tugged him back, no call!<br>There’s the halftime whistle! </p>
<p id="S6Rr9D">44’ - Blues win a corner on the left, Limpar takes it, blocked and another corner. Limpar takes again but Gary Pallister clears well. </p>
<p id="y0CtYP">40’ - Limpar has been the best player on the pitch for the Blues at least, right in the thick of everything Everton have done. A raking long ball down the right found Stuart running free, and his shot is blocked for a corner. <br>Hinchcliffe’s wand of a left foot with an inswinger that is somehow cleared, comes back to the magician and his cross is deflected, a shot from outside the box and another corner. The Blues are ending the half strong... ooh! Ablett nipped in ahead of the Danish goalie but heads it just over!</p>
<p id="A2FTRM">37’ - Chance! Limpar nicks the ball off Ince at the half line and he finds a streaking Stuart who stretches to shoot and it’s tame, right at the grateful Schmeichel. <br>The Everton fans behind the United goal are jubilant as if the Blues have this game all sewn up.</p>
<p id="BXhnHm">31’ - Don’t let if get forgotten that the goal came from a move started by captain Dave Watson just outside his own box. <br>Also that shot of Royle’s sly wink is one that should go down in history. </p>
<p id="gstADN">30’ - GOAL!! Everton take a shock lead! Stuart’s thumping shot comes back off the underside of the bar, bounces up into the air and Rideout reacts quickest with Bruce on the goal line and Schmeichel out of position to head home.. 1-0 Toffees!<br>Limpar had set off on a 4-on-2 counter attack as United had committed too many men forward, and he’d fed Jackson to the right. The rightback’s low cross was met by Stuart who really should have scored but his side-footed shot went off the woodwork. </p>
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<p id="h5Ox9t">27’ - Hinchliffe does well to find Ablett charging clear down the left, his centre into the box is poor though and cleared. </p>
<p id="a9JX9s">24’ - Blues win a freekick in the middle third on the left, Hinchcliffe’s cross into the box is cleared, falls to Limpar outside the box and his shot is wayward. </p>
<p id="Y3LChK">21’ - United might have an issue here, with Bruce hobbling around now holding his hamstring after a swift kick to his thigh. He’s trying to walk it off but is limping significantly. </p>
<p id="fNaTmT">20’ - The ref is letting a number of tackles go by and the Everton fans are not happy, as it’s been mostly in United’s favour. </p>
<p id="aWmYpY">16’ - Oooh close. Ball falls to Sharpe after another couple of heavy tackles, and scuffs it straight to Southall. Ince’s shot earlier was well blocked by captain Dave Watson.</p>
<p id="HmTYGW">12’ - Now Dennis Irwin has a go from distance with a 30plus yard freekick, blocked and it falls to Brian McClair, his shot is chipped just over the bar. </p>
<p id="yRNyqg">10’ - Chance for United. Sharpe gets free down the left and his cross is cleared for a corner by Ablett. Ince came rushing in to head it but it’s wide and resplendent in jazzy yellow, goalie Neville Southall has that covered.</p>
<p id="TBLXmf">6’ - The Red Devils strength is the wings, where Everton are weak, but the Blues are doing well to keep the play in the middle where they are thundering into tackles as Paul Ince is furious after getting clattered by Joe Parkinson. </p>
<p id="xsoPQo">3’ - United looking strong on the ball early on, rushing forward in droves. Lee Sharpe got his head to a Butt cross that went well over. <br>Now Everton attack on the right and Anders Limpar has a snap shot from just inside the box, Peter Schmeichel saves low at his near post and the Blues have the first corner of the game. Punched away for another corner. Taken short and eventually cleared. </p>
<p id="4jldHq">1’ - Referee Gerald Ashby gets us underway with Graham Stuart and Paul Rideout kicking off.</p>
<p id="0zkopM">Her Majesty’s Royal Marines are assembled here to play the unique Wembley hymn ‘Abide With Me’, once of those curious traditions about British football that we’ve grown to love over the years. <br>The players are now coming out of the tunnel to a great roar from the nearly-80,000 crowd. The guest of honour today is the The Prince of Wales, with his sons Princes William and Harry here for their first FA Cup Final. The teams are lined up facing each other for the national anthem now. </p>
<p id="rQj15B"><strong>Starting lineups -</strong> No real surprises here for the Blues, with Daniel Amokachi and Ferguson on the bench for Royle to throw on in the second half. Starting rightback Earl Barrett is cup-tied and unavailable hence Matt Jackson getting the nod. </p>
<p id="sZV75x">Alex Ferguson is very confident, and has youngsters <span>Ryan Giggs</span> and <span>Paul Scholes</span> on the bench, having named a mostly-veteran starting eleven apart from Gary Neville and Nicky Butt. </p>
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<h1 id="AmEGJx">Preview</h1>
<p id="PRXG8o">Thank God this miserable season is almost behind us, and <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> have a chance to finish this in style despite the horrendous start. When the Toffees started the year with no wins in twelve games it did not look like things would end this way, but Premiership survival has been secured and now we have a decent shot at winning the FA Cup, so not all bad then. </p>
<p id="Mn37aV">Opponents <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> are wounded and dangerous - Alex Ferguson’s side saw their chances of a domestic double go up in smoke last weekend needing a win at <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham United</a>, and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/blackburn-rovers">Blackburn Rovers</a> still lifted the Premier League title despite losing at manager Kenny Dalglish’s former side <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>. </p>
<p id="3nGiVe">Joe Royle came in when the Blues were at their lowest in November and provided a shot in the arm with a Merseyside Derby win at Goodison Park in his debut. An inconsistent season plagued with injuries saw the Toffees save their top tier status by a narrow margin, but have been elite in the FA Cup getting to Wembley with just one goal conceded - a contentious penalty in the 4-1 win over <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> in the semi-finals at Elland Road. </p>
<p id="Jl2xSP">United though are United, laden with savvy veterans and talented youngsters, and led by one of the best managers in the modern game. The suspension of Eric Cantona for a violent flying kick incident at <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace">Crystal Palace</a> was barely a speed bump on their domestic road where they remained competitive until the final weekend of the league. If anything, the Red Devils showed they were weaker on the road with a draw at Galatasaray and deflating losses at Barcelona and group winners IFK Gothenburg led to a disappointing group stage exit in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>. </p>
<p id="E0blpn">Royle is going to look to set his ‘Dogs of War’ among the possibly vulnerable defending champions, with a close-fought game decided from a setpiece likely the result. </p>
<aside id="pYLwy9"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton Classic Game Rewind: FA Cup Final 1995 | Everton v Manchester United preview","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21186808/everton-classic-game-rewind-fa-cup-final-1995-everton-v-manchester-united-match-preview-wembley"},{"title":"Everton Classic Game Rewind: FA Cup Final 1995 | Man Utd challenge holds no fear for Royle","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21186526/everton-classic-1995-fa-cup-final-wembley-manchester-united-joe-royle-alex-ferguson-paul-rideout"}]}'></div></aside><h1 id="tj4rzW">Match Details</h1>
<p id="Tn0k5V"><strong>Competition:</strong> FA Cup Final</p>
<p id="cwrEif"><strong>Date and start time:</strong> Saturday, May 20th at 8:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m ET / 3:00 p.m. BST</p>
<p id="ZjZdbr"><strong>Stadium:</strong> Wembley Stadium, London, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/england">England</a>, United Kingdom</p>
<p id="fnWTKL"><strong>Capacity:</strong> 79,592</p>
<p id="62AsYC"><strong>Weather:</strong> 57°F/14°C, partly cloudy, 5% chance of precipitation, 10 mph winds</p>
<h1 id="k6zWnV">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN">Everton</h3>
<p id="spiptf">Starting XI - Southall; Ablett, Unsworth, Watson (c), Jackson; Hinchcliffe, Horne, Parkinson, Limpar; Stuart; Rideout</p>
<p id="vuyUIh">Subs - Kearton, Ferguson, Amokachi</p>
<h3 id="hYm7g5">Manchester United</h3>
<p id="WbxJVU">Starting XI - Schmeichel; Irwin, Pallister, Bruce (c), G. Neville; Sharpe, Ince, Butt, Keane; McClair, Hughes </p>
<p id="psX1zJ">Subs - Walsh, Giggs, Scholes</p>
<h1 id="rW42EQ">Last Meeting</h1>
<p id="WjyxKU">With the Blues mired in a relegation scrap all season long Everton hosted Manchester United in February trying to save their skins. The Dogs of War responded to the full-throated Goodison support on the day, and went hammer-and-tongs at the Red Devils and were deserved 1-0 winners thanks to a towering header from Duncan Ferguson. </p>
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<p id="Q0BeM0">More famously, the Blues had taken on the Red Devils in the FA Cup Final like today but a decade ago. On that day though, Everton were the clear favourites and a scrappy United side had upset them 1-0 to win the coveted trophy - today, the Blues will be looking to turn the tables. </p>
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<p id="xQpNHm"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/21/21189361/fa-cup-final-1995-everton-1-0-manchester-united-recap-reaction-rideout-royle-when-will-we-win-againCalvin2020-03-20T18:00:00+00:002020-03-20T18:00:00+00:00Everton Classic Game Rewind: FA Cup Final 1995 | Projected XI
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<img alt="EVERTON TRAINING" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j1CuYVftrRpgLKqzeAL1vSZJF5g=/0x33:2074x1416/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66532727/1217119.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Everton in training at Bellefield in West Derby</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Late fitness tests and the chaos of the semi-final leave Joe Royle with key decisions to make</p> <p id="vYFNkj"><em>As part of our Everton Classic Game Rewind, the entire site coverage is taking you back to the fateful weekend of 19th-21st May, 1995 (</em><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21187043/everton-news-recap-manchester-united-fa-cup-final-1995-preview-royle-amokachi-classic-game-rewind"><em>more details here</em></a><em>). Here’s how we see the Blues lining up for tomorrow’s </em><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup"><em>FA Cup</em></a><em> Final. </em></p>
<p id="pkF2DR"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>’s whirlwind season is one match away from drawing to a close.</p>
<p id="Tu8XhY">Twelve consecutive matches without a win to start the season seemed like it should have derailed the Toffees permanently, but late results against <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>, <a href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/">Southampton</a>, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/ipswich-town">Ipswich Town</a>, and Coventry City have secured Everton’s place in the top flight for next season — leaving just this weekend’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> final against <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> to play.</p>
<p id="GZ5heh">Joe Royle has pulled all the right strings since taking the reins from Mike Walker in November, but Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils present an enormous challenge for the Toffees in their quest to procure silverware in what initially seemed to be a lost season. </p>
<p id="n2iU7J">United will enter the match with plenty of motivation, having been beaten out by <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/blackburn-rovers">Blackburn Rovers</a> for the league title on the final day of the season. Royle must then get his squad selection and tactics just right in order to have a chance to pull off the improbable.</p>
<h2 id="tzyMaQ">Tactics and Formation</h2>
<p id="CmZccX">United nearly won the league for good reason — this is a talented squad with a capable manager that will present a real challenge to the Toffees. The good news for Everton is that the Red Devils will be without three key players — Eric Cantona (suspended), Andrei Kanchelskis (injury), and Andy Cole (cup-tied).</p>
<p id="WMKe7W">That likely means <span>Mark Hughes</span> will lead the line for United, which I expect will come out in a 4-4-1-1 with Brian McClair playing off the main striker.</p>
<p id="F4Y9MM">What does that mean for Everton, tactically? Frankly, it doesn’t change much. The Toffees won’t expect to win the midfield battle against Nicky Butt and Paul Ince, so Royle will likely look to sit deep with two blocks of four, make life difficult for the second-choice United attacking duo, and rely on counters and set pieces to create chances.</p>
<p id="Lmm3LF">Oh, and of course a fellow by the name of Neville Southall to make a few timely saves.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TfFbT-5oWZ-PuOOB_4-egaGnzq8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19820884/lineup__44_.png">
</figure>
<h3 id="2M9v2r">Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)</h3>
<p id="hZEpVa"><span><strong>Neville Southall</strong></span> <strong>- 10/10</strong></p>
<p id="cKFcQs"><strong>Gary Ablett - 9/10</strong></p>
<p id="6OAUQS"><strong>David Unsworth - 9/10</strong></p>
<p id="j6sMN0">The youngster has been a revelation in the heart of the defence this season, and continues Everton’s proud tradition of youngsters coming through the Academy in that position. </p>
<p id="aUb1bV"><strong>Dave Watson - 10/10</strong></p>
<p id="EaKK2i"><strong>Matt Jackson - 10/10</strong></p>
<p id="EsyT9x">Earl Barrett remains cup-tied, after appearing for <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a> earlier in the competition. That leaves no real competition for Jackson at right-back.</p>
<p id="DXZN6k"><strong>Barry Horne - 9/10</strong></p>
<p id="BZnPfr"><strong>Joe Parkinson - 9/10</strong></p>
<p id="p8t6xl">It’s a tough spot for boyhood Evertonian John Ebbrell, who appeared in three of Everton’s four FA Cup fixtures before the semi-final against <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a>. Ebbrell missed out due to suspension in that one, and I just don’t see Royle making a change to the heart of his team after Horne and Parkinson played such a vital role in the thrashing of Spurs.</p>
<p id="2Ks95Y"><strong>Andy Hinchcliffe - 10/10</strong></p>
<p id="zfMFke"><strong>Anders Limpar - 8/10</strong></p>
<p id="2mBTby"><strong>Graham Stuart- 9/10</strong></p>
<p id="awnTVc"><strong>Paul Rideout - 7/10</strong></p>
<p id="iDBfXd">Royle’s most difficult decision will be up top. Rideout has been the main main for most of the season, with 14 goals in the league. But Duncan Ferguson could be healthy enough to start as well, and the Scot’s raw power should serve the Toffees well against United’s hefty centrehalves if the majority of their chances wind up coming from set pieces.</p>
<p id="jZlnze">The true wild card is Daniel Amokachi. The Nigerian striker came on as something of an accident following confusion about a potential injury to Rideout in the semi-final, but then proceeded to score twice in the final 20 minutes to close out the match against Tottenham Hotspur. </p>
<h3 id="2QOiK1">Bench</h3>
<p id="KdSM5X"><strong>Jason Kearton</strong></p>
<p id="l8FCeZ"><strong>Duncan Ferguson</strong></p>
<p id="dzbqv4"><strong>Daniel Amokachi </strong>- The more likely outcome, however, is that Ferguson and Amokachi serve as Royle’s options off the bench. The duo will give him some attacking options should the Toffees need a late goal.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="CzYw2X">
<p id="5OZZ7Z">Can Royle pull the right strings to complete the nearly miraculous turnaround at Everton Football Club this season? It’s a very tough road ahead, but he’ll certainly go down in history if he can pull it off.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21188109/everton-classic-game-rewind-fa-cup-final-1995-projected-xi-manchester-united-flashback-bellefieldAdam.Braun2020-03-20T16:00:00+00:002020-03-20T16:00:00+00:00Everton Classic Game Rewind: FA Cup Final 1995 | Man Utd challenge holds no fear for Royle
<figure>
<img alt="Joe Royle - Everton manager" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31kQ6nzn1mSJvf-9CmJ1V6I8YdY=/0x327:4078x3046/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66531691/828425832.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Malcolm Croft - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Blues have already beaten Alex Ferguson’s side once already this season</p> <p id="GN0oKW"><em>As part of our Everton Classic Game Rewind, the entire site coverage is taking you back to the fateful weekend of 19th-21st May, 1995 (</em><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21187043/everton-news-recap-manchester-united-fa-cup-final-1995-preview-royle-amokachi-classic-game-rewind"><em>more details here</em></a><em>). The pre-match press conference has just ended and the Blues are ready for tomorrow’s FA Cup Final. </em></p>
<p id="0GdwlK"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> manager Joe Royle says his side go into the 1995 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> Final against <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> with “no complex whatsoever”, despite beginning the game as huge underdogs.</p>
<p id="ZtXfLg">The Toffees spent the majority of the season battling against relegation at the foot of the Premiership, with their top flight status only secured in the final week of the season courtesy of a 1-0 win at Ipswich.</p>
<p id="lRW9cs">Manchester United meanwhile has been battling away with Blackburn for the title, though the Red Devils agonisingly missed out on the championship by just a point on the final day of the season last weekend.</p>
<p id="7w5bqs">However, Everton’s form under Royle, who replaced Mike Walker in November with the club rooted to the bottom of the league table, is akin to that of a top six side rather than a relegation struggler.</p>
<p id="rgE5l6">The Merseysiders eventually finished 15th, five points clear of the bottom four, with their successful survival bid including a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in February, courtesy of a towering header from young Scot Duncan Ferguson.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Everton v Manchester United" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KprC9QghRgSUNt1bTlESuMMHcmc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19818227/828907994.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by John Giles - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Duncan Ferguson’s winning goal against Manchester United at Goodison Park</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="RObhcf">Buoyed by that result and with their battle against relegation finally won, Everton can stride out on to the pitch under the twin towers freed from the pressure they have been under for the past six months.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="IEzLBr">“We go in with six defeats in 33 games, so we have been hard to beat. We’ve drawn too many but of course we have beaten United 1-0 at Goodison, so we go into without any complex whatsoever.</p>
<p id="DL9ji9">“When I went there (to Everton) in November, if you promised me then that we were going to survive and go to Wembley I would have taken that. We are here to enjoy it, (but) having gone this far, let’s go and win it.</p>
<p id="fmS0Kb">“This is the first time we have been totally focused on the cup through all the rounds and hopefully if we perform like we did in the semi-final, which is our best performance of the season against Tottenham, it will be a great game.”</p>
</blockquote>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Soccer - FA Cup Semi Final - Tottenham Hotspur V Everton - Elland Road, Leeds" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tqGl8ub3iDDVh8pcqN5VW4dVI_k=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19818238/650090932.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Steve Morton/EMPICS via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Daniel Amokachi celebrates his brace that sunk Spurs in the FA Cup semifinals</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="UJDXzf">Royle is no stranger to relegation battles having conjured up some great escapes during his time as Oldham Athletic boss.</p>
<p id="g6fA2S">However, he says the pressure is even greater at a club like Everton, who haven’t been relegated for 45 years.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="WbbGaw">“I’ve had three years going into the last week of the season looking up the table. And with all due respect it was never quite the same with Oldham as this was Valhalla, the marvellous Premier League, and they really enjoyed it. </p>
<p id="paQAi6">“But there’s personal pride. You don’t want to be relegated.</p>
<p id="bbaOtx">“It looked like it was going to go to the last week again this season. And I know people may say Everton were in a bad way when I went there with eight points, but it still wouldn’t have mattered as it was my name on the corpse.</p>
<p id="dZzZyP">“We have restless public and the bigger the restless public, the bigger the pressure.”</p>
</blockquote>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Soccer - FA Cup - Semi-Final - Manchester United v Oldham Athletic - Wembley Stadium" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9pgor1Lj8TqN1M6pEzlC1FGc7So=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19818230/649715622.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Ross Kinnaird/EMPICS via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Mark Hughes scores his epic goal to pull Manchester United level against Oldham Athletic</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="uIUTak">Royle will also be hoping it will be third time lucky in the FA Cup against Alex Ferguson. In 1990, his Oldham drew 3-3 in a thrilling semi-final at Maine Road, only to lose the replay three days later.</p>
<p id="YRKPmt">In last year’s semi-final, the Latics led going into stoppage-time at Wembley before a spectacular <span>Mark Hughes</span> volley broke their hearts and forced a replay, which United then comfortably won 4-1.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="rDK1VF">“David and Goliath, they were terrific matches, certain things swayed them in each game.</p>
<p id="xZgakR">“The 3-3 game at Maine Road was terrific, as good an advert for British football as you will see.</p>
<p id="aFRM21">“The game last year were we played a much more tactical game, we got most things right against United bar one burst of inspiration from Mark Hughes, any other player and the ball would still be in orbit.</p>
<p id="BVuudY">“If it was scored by a Brazilian you would be seeing it on TV all the time.”</p>
</blockquote>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21186526/everton-classic-1995-fa-cup-final-wembley-manchester-united-joe-royle-alex-ferguson-paul-rideoutTom Mallows2020-03-20T09:00:00+00:002020-03-20T09:00:00+00:00Everton news recap: The 1995 FA Cup Final weekend
<figure>
<img alt="Soccer - FA Cup Semi Final - Tottenham Hotspur V Everton - Elland Road, Leeds" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nw45e2fyyrDzSwHCvLIIVUkgjS8=/0x0:4096x2731/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66529799/663437360.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Steve Morton - PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>Recapping the Everton news with a classic game rewind</em></p> <p id="JVetHj"><em>As part of our </em><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/"><em>Everton</em></a><em> Classic Game Rewind, the entire site coverage is taking you back to the fateful weekend of 19th-21st May, 1995. For more information, </em><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/19/21186886/everton-classic-game-rewind-fa-cup-final-1995-winners-manchester-united-1-0-rideout-goal-royle"><em>see this post</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p id="e8SN3M"><strong>Your daily dose of </strong><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/"><strong>Everton</strong></a><strong> news and rumours</strong></p>
<p id="PM0f6T">Tomorrow, the Blues aim for cup glory when they take on <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> Final. Over their last 10 meetings, the Blues have three wins, one draw, and six losses. In their most recent match against the Red Devils in February, Duncan Ferguson headed home a triumphant effort to guide the Blues to a 1-0 victory. Can we expect to see more of the same tomorrow? COYB!</p>
<p id="jnsT7o">Watch the highlights from their last meeting below (Dunc’s goal at 3:27).</p>
<div id="Uki9fd"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1WQm1zwUF7M?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="dbCzlb">And the highlights from Everton’s semi-final win over <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> a month ago.</p>
<div id="ybSort"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/515QJhovCvw?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="ntW3ec">Check out the match report from the semi-final victory. [<a href="https://www.11v11.com/matches/tottenham-hotspur-v-everton-09-april-1995-217047/">11 v 11</a>]</p>
<p id="K0mdyt">“<em>I wanted them to hold on for a few seconds but Daniel</em> [Amokachi] <em>wandered on to the pitch, the fourth official held up the board, and that was it. He was desperate to play but he should not have been on. What a good mistake it was,” </em>said manager Joe Royle on the famous phantom substitution. [<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/amokachi-completes-evertons-perfect-day-1615105.html">Independent</a>]</p>
<p id="erOyex">Read up on Everton’s historic trip to the final. [<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/19/21186886/everton-classic-game-rewind-fa-cup-final-1995-winners-manchester-united-1-0-rideout-goal-royle">RBM</a>]</p>
<p id="Yi31pX">Watch the build-up for tomorrow’s match.</p>
<div id="oOfkJZ"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LdJqmLIMPrg?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="P1qNFy">David Unsworth was at 21 arguably the best central defensive prospect in the Premiership and destined to become the youngest player to appear in that position in an FA Cup final since another Everton defender, Derek Mountfield, in 1984. [<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/unsworth-the-worthy-1619447.html">Independent</a>]</p>
<p id="ogp26O">Joe Royle and Alex Ferguson sit down and discuss tomorrow’s duel.</p>
<div id="UtCvHl"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QvJt9dxi2g8?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="cCw03P">Gary Ablett is aiming to become the first player to win the FA Cup with both Everton and LIverpool. [<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/why-ablett-has-only-good-memories-of-wembley-1619917.html">Independent</a>]</p>
<p id="b8nBDz">The players have their say.</p>
<div id="W2uVWk"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sT05BMF829s?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="gQ7kLE">Check out the programme for tomorrow’s match. [<a href="http://www.evertoncollection.org.uk/object?id=796%20EFC%2f8%2f1%2f103">The Everton Collection</a>]</p>
<p id="oWVRlP">We’re going to be in for a war of attrition as Royle’s Dogs of War come up against Fergie’s experienced pack. [<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/everton-ready-for-a-war-of-attrition-1620370.html">Independent</a>]</p>
<h1 id="SDOyqK">What To Watch</h1>
<p id="7mxq97">Matchday! Everton face Manchester United at Wembley in the 1995 FA Cup Final tomorrow!</p>
<h1 id="cm3gF0">Follow Us</h1>
<p id="084HQc"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/rbmersey"><strong>Twitter</strong></a> | <a href="http://www.instagram.com/rbmersey"><strong>Instagram</strong></a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rbmersey"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/20/21187043/everton-news-recap-manchester-united-fa-cup-final-1995-preview-royle-amokachi-classic-game-rewindPat Mariboe2020-03-19T19:00:00+00:002020-03-19T19:00:00+00:00Everton Classic Game Rewind: The 1995 FA Cup Final weekend
<figure>
<img alt="SPURS V EVERTON" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iWbe2mx2aIV9f8mzT2t3O-2T45k=/4x0:1950x1297/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66526824/1254021.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Royle and the Everton fans celebrate a goal in the semifinal win at Elland Road</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We kick off a new series by going back in time, very specifically to Thursday 18th May, 1995.</p> <p id="KDNV6X"><em>Picture the scene, it’s a Thursday, just like today, but we’ve gone into the time machine and have altered the date slightly. Instead of the calendar reading 19th March 2020, it’s actually saying 18th May 1995.</em> </p>
<p id="pRK6c4">The 1994-95 Premiership season has just ended. <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> ended the year in 15th place in the 22-team league, with the bottom four sides getting relegated. It has been a miserable year for the Blues who started the season with a hideous eight points in total from their first fourteen games with just one win in that time. </p>
<p id="qVLzg8">Mike Walker’s Houdini act that ensured the Toffees stayed in the top flight last season was quickly forgotten during a 12-game winless streak and the manager was summarily dismissed less than a year into the job. Everton looked so boring and aimless at times under him that we cannot imagine things will <em>ever</em> be this bad in the future. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="0" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4zDd4iVjREL34y19sHLrdY9_Ei8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19818778/829969158.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Fiona Hanson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>A despondent Mike Walker after yet another loss, this time at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="MhUhqC">Club legend and player-turned-manager Joe Royle took over the reins, and his first game in charge was the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. He inspired the team to a 2-0 win, and the Blues picked up another couple of victories in consecutive games after that. By mid-January Everton had climbed out of the relegation zone and were headed for a comfortable mid-table finish, but that was not what had captured the imagination of Blues everywhere. </p>
<p id="bLrUnj">While ensuring Premiership survival, Royle had somehow also engineered an epic <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> run for the ages where the Blues are now all the way to Wembley conceding just once the entire tournament. Two 1-0 wins in the early rounds, home to <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/derby-county">Derby County</a> and away at Bristol City had set up a Fifth Round tie at Goodison against <a href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/">Norwich City</a> soon after Valentine’s Day. </p>
<p id="OnOULY">The fans showed up, and so did the players in a sweeping 5-0 win with goals from Anders Limpar, Joe Parkinson, Paul Rideout, Duncan Ferguson and Graham Stuart. Then, drawn at home against <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> in the quarterfinals, the Blues won 1-0 again with Dave Watson grabbing the winner. Into the semifinals went the Toffees, and in an inspirational performance, thrashed <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> 4-1 with goals from Matt Jackson, Stuart and a late Daniel Amokachi brace sandwiching Jurgen Klinsmann’s penalty for Spurs.</p>
<div id="vYaGOs"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/515QJhovCvw?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="NNsoJF">Going into the final week of the Premiership season, Everton sat in 17th place four points clear of relegation. The trip to bottom-of-the-table and already-relegated <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/ipswich-town">Ipswich Town</a> proved to be a successful one for the Blues as a sole Rideout goal got them three points and ensured safety for the season. A draw away at Coventry City on the last day of the Premiership was more an exercise in keeping the players fit and their minds on the key prize coming up this weekend, the FA Cup Final against a bitter <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> side. </p>
<p id="JDuLs7">Alex Ferguson had been pipped to the post by Kenny Dalglish’s <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/blackburn-rovers">Blackburn Rovers</a>, who lifted the championship on the last day of the season despite losing 2–1 at <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, with the Red Devils held to a 1–1 draw at <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham United</a>. With Fergie’s dream of a domestic double gone, the Scotsman wants to ensure his team do not finish the season empty-handed. </p>
<p id="isTyrE">So here we are, Thursday 18th May, 1995. For the next three days, Royal Blue Mersey is going to preview the FA Cup Final, cover the game itself, and follow with post-match reaction through till Sunday evening, please enjoy this ride back in time with us. </p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2020/3/19/21186886/everton-classic-game-rewind-fa-cup-final-1995-winners-manchester-united-1-0-rideout-goal-royleCalvin