Club Guide
Team: Everton FC |
Stadium and Pitch: 5/10
For a Premier League ground I was very disappointed and found Goodison Park the least favourite of the fourteen away grounds I visited during the 2006-07 campaign.
Although they used the up to date ticketing system which is now used at Bramall Lane I found the facilities hugely disappointing and were no better than park standard toilets. Visiting supporters where housed in the Bullens Road Stand nearest behind goal.
Sweeping behind us was a two tiered structure which went behind the opposite goal whilst opposite stand was a rickety three tiered stand which looked like it was about to collapse.
Everton and Liverpool FC have made it quite clear that both clubs wish to leave their respective homes of Goodison Park and Anfield; and after visiting them both its quite clear as to why they do!
Programme: 6/10
The Everton programme dedicated just four pages to Sheffield United although it did cover some interesting statistics such as hat-ticks netted for and against the Blades. Elsewhere they showed an image from a past game between the two clubs and wrote information about the players involved; on this instance they chose a Division One game in 1972 when the Blades and the Toffees drew 1-1 at Bramall Lane.
Performance and Result: 4/10
:: Everton 2-0 Sheffield United ::
It was a pretty dour performance by United, but things didn't go their way when midfielder Mikel Arteta (13 minutes) headed home early doors and the visitors saw defender Claude Davis sent off for a foul inside the box on Andrew Johnson. James Beattie stepped up and tucked away the spot kick.
From then on it was very difficult for the away side to get back into the game, they came close in the first half via a Colin Kazim-Richards close range header but it wasn't to be as the Blues claimed all three points.
Atmosphere: 6/10
The Evertonian's failed to be aroused by the team entertaining the field to the tune of 'Z Cars' which they have famously done for quite a few years now. The United fans however were in full voice and the five minute singing of 'When the Blades go marching in...' will live long in the memory.
Overall: 21/40
:: Previous Visits to Goodison Park ::
- 21.10.2006 - Everton 2-0 Sheffield United