NEVERSAY-DIE TOFFEES
NINETY minutes into the 1984-85 season, Everton looked unlikely champions.
Spurs left Goodison Park as 4-1 winners over Howard Kendall’s team, but by the time the sides met again at White Hart Lane in April 1985, they had one hand on the trophy.
The Toffees had put together a 17-game unbeaten run to take them three points clear of Tottenham – it was then two points for a win – and had a match in hand over their hosts.
Spurs boss Peter Shreeves said: “This game is as big as they come,” and Evertonians regarded it as the most important match in their club’s history since they wrapped up the title in 1969-70.
There were 48,108 fans squeezed into White Hart Lane that night – and they saw a save that drew comparisons with the greatest of them all.
Everton keeper Neville Southall (below) had a hand in the opening goal, after 10 minutes. Paul Miller could not deal with Southall’s long clearance and the ball dropped for Andy Gray to smash into the net.
Spurs’ defence blundered again just after the hour. Mark Bowen could not get the bouncing ball under control and Trevor Steven nipped in to steal it off him and then round Spurs keeper Ray Clemence before tapping into the empty net.
Graham Roberts handed Spurs a lifeline after 73 minutes and Mark Falco was certain he had levelled for Spurs with three minutes left.
Glenn Hoddle’s cross from the left found him unmarked six yards out and his firm header was destined for the roof of the net. But Southall instinctively flung his hands towards the ball and diverted it over the bar.
“I thought it was in,” said Falco. “So did our players and even Everton thought we had equalised. No one on that pitch could believe it.”
The press said they had not seen a save like it since Gordon Banks kept out Pele’s header at the 1970 World Cup. Southall shrugged: “The ball just hit me” and revealed Everton skipper Kevin Ratcliffe was far from impressed by his heroics and asked, “Why didn’t you catch it? You’ve given away a corner.”
The Football Writers’ Association were more impressed, naming Southall their player of the season after Everton won the league.