Scenes of unbridled joy, a berserk release of mass ecstasy, a collective freeing of frustration and dread, an uncontrollable urge to grab anyone within reach, hug them, squeeze them, kiss them and finally rag them everywhere - whilst simultaneously roaring like a wild banshee on electric kool-aid - and all thanks to Leighton Baines magnificent 119th minute 25 yard left foot free kick .
In homage to LB's sublime last-minute-of-extra-time strike, there was a post yesterday on the excellent The Peoples Forum asking for Evertonian memories of late, late equalizers, which got my own recollection juices flowing. So, while the memorable triumph against Chelsea has momentarily allowed us to take our worried minds off the current malaise enveloping the club, here are four of my own personal memories [in the sense that I was actually in the ground at the time] of last gasp equalizers and as yesterday, the unique euphoric celebrations they brought with them:
And in Chronological order:
Everton's victory over Chelsea not only went some way in putting the 2009 FA Cup Final to bed, it also, by a Lampard proxy, may well have laid another ghost to rest:
5: [@3.32]As a 10 year old I witnessed Bob Latchford's flying header in the 1979-80 FA Cup semi-final replay at Elland Road:
4: [@1.12] Kevin Sheedy's late free-kick in the 1984-5 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park:
3: Gary Lineker's equalizer versus Luton on the plastic pitch in the 1985/86 FA Cup at Kenilworth Road. Well almost, I can't find the bastard so here is his goal in the replay at Goodison:
2: Tim Cahill's 86th minute leveler at Anfield in the 2008/09 campaign [thanks to Rob]:
And in honour of the 6000 who were there, straight in at number 1:
1: Leighton Baines unstoppable last-minute free-kick in the 2010/11 FA Cup 4th round replay at Stamford Bridge
Great goal, great day and hat's off to the 6000!!
Neil, the Cahill equaliser was in a league game. Lescott scored the opening goal in the Cup game, cancelled out by Torres.
ReplyDeleteA good shout would be Stuart McCall stabbing in the winner at the Gwladys Street in a quarter final v Wimbledon; not sure how late on it was but it was deep into the second half and the Street End went absolutely potty, the cameras panned out and it was just a sea of bodies flying from side to side, up and down - it was demented. McCall's last minute equaliser in the 89 Cup Final also provoked amazing celebration, and how about Mountfield poking in an equaliser at home to Ipswich at Goodison in 1985?
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob, ammendment made!
ReplyDelete