Man Utd writers share best memories of Goodison Park before final game
JOE GANLEY
It’s still probably my favourite away game of all: April 2007, and we’re locked in a tense and knotty title battle with Jose Mourinho’s seemingly indomitable Chelsea. It’s a glorious spring day at Goodison, and the air tingles with anticipation. But by half-time we’re one down. Within minutes of the restart, it’s two.
To make matters worse, I’m in the home end, to the side of a small pocket of Reds tucked away in the Bullens Road. As the Toffees’ goals go in, I have to stand up and blend in, however crushed I feel inside. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are ahead. I love Goodison Park’s intimacy but, let’s be honest: it’s not pleasant when Everton are on top. It feels claustrophobic. The players seem rushed on the ball. Every home pass and tackle are urged on with spiteful intent.
But then the magic happens: a classic Fergusonian siege begins.
John O’Shea scores, then former Red Phil Neville bizarrely smashes into his own net, as the pressure mounts. With just over 10 left, Wayne Rooney deceives Tony Hibbert and slides United into a breathless lead. For the first time, countless Reds around me – silent up to this point – bravely go up. When Chris Eagles curls home the fourth in stoppage time, it feels like half the stand is on its feet, celebrating! ‘Reds are here, Reds are there…’
Brilliantly, Bolton are holding Chelsea in London, and we’re going five points clear. Half an hour earlier, Mourinho’s lads were joint-top.
There’s always one away game, on a title race run-in, that becomes the proving ground for potential champions. In 2007, Goodison was it, and Rooney, Ronaldo and co stood up in thrilling fashion. In retrospect, it was the start of one of the greatest periods in United history. Halcyon days.
