Bould was missing replaced by Keown with McGoldrick in for the injured Dixon. Schwartz and Jensen made up the midfield with Merse Campbell Parlour and Smith the forwards. Everton started the game very postively incouraged by a surprisingly large crowd. Stuart caused loads of porblems down the right hand side with direct runs through the huge gaps in front of Winterburn. Furgeson continually caused Adams and Keown problems at the back. It was no great surprise when Everton took the lead. Schwartz gave away a free kick just outside the box. The ball was touched sideways and as Campbell closed the shot scuffed well wide. Eddie took it upon himself to knock the ball back into the middle whereby a mishit goalward shot was helped in by an Arsenal defender. Not very pretty. A couple of minutes later saw the Everton crowd celebrating their first win. A sweeping move ended with a low shot into the far corner. Fortunately, I guess this is the sort of thing that happens when your bottom, Amokachi had strayed offside right in front of Seaman. Seemed a bit harsh but there you go. Ten minutes later and Schwartz picked up the ball thirty yards out. He touched it forward and steadied himself. As no Everton defender came to close he rifled in the shot from 25 yards. These are also the sort of things that happen when your bottom. The seemed to knock Everton right back. Schwartz played Campbell through but some fine defending prevented him from getting in a shot. Just before half time Smith layed a ball through to Merson who clipped the ball past Southall and past the far post. Would have been a bit unfair if Everton had gone in behind. The second half lacked a lot of the football that the first had promised. Everton failed to produce anything telling from what possession they had. Merson wasted the best chance after failing to convert a Campbell cross. Probably the best run that he had been on and a fine cut back saw three Arsenal players in the box to convert. Merson though curled his shot over the gaping goal from 12 yards. Limpar was eventually bought into the fray, but his one run ended up with a woefully wide shot. Amakachi managed a shot that Seaman comfortably gathered. Linighan replaced Merson with 15 minutes to go as George seemed to accept a draw being a fair return. In the final minutes Winterburn went in for a crunching blocked tackle. He was stretched off with what looekd like a serious injury. It was apparently not as bad as first feared but I haven't heard anything else. Selley came on as replacement. Everton played the better football but we had the better chances. I thought all round the players looked a bit on the jaded side, the CCC may have taken some affect. I thought the Everton crowd was superb creating a fine atmosphere. Personally I think it will be a shame if they go down.
Report by Trev Collins