Game of the Weekend History: Everton vs Manchester United

Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park this weekend, hoping to extend their good recent home record against the Red Devils.

And with both teams having played in every Premier League season, there is a lot of history between the two.

Everton will be pleased with the start they have made, taking 13 points from seven games, sitting in seventh place.

United will be happier however, as a strong start from Louis van Gaal’s men sees them placed in third, only two points off rivals Manchester City at the top.

But the Blues have won the past three meetings between the two at home, without conceding a goal, meaning they will go into the game full of confidence.

First-ever meeting – (September 24, 1892)

Manchester United, formally known as Newton Heath, travelled to Everton in 1892 to play only their fourth ever game in the Football League. The Toffees, a founding member of the Football League in 1888-89, were much more experienced and raced to an easy 6-0 victory.

First-ever Premier League meeting – (August 19, 1992)

The first Premier League meeting between the two at Goodison Park ended poorly for the home side. A crowd of just over 30,000 watched United come out comfortable winners in a 2-0 victory. Brian McClair put the away side in front in the first half, before Steve Bruce sealed the points with a penalty in the 76th minute. The result lifted United into fourth place, and left Everton without a win in three.

Premier League meetings at Goodison Park: 23
Everton: 7
Manchester United: 14
Draw: 2

Memorable Premier League matches:

1. Everton 2-3 Manchester United (September 9, 1995)

United went on to record their third successive victory to climb up to second place, thanks to Ryan Giggs’ 74th minute winner. Ian Sharpe put the Red Devils ahead after only three minutes as he connected with David Beckham’s cross, before Anders Limpar stole in midway through the first-half to slot past Peter Schmeichel and level the scores.

United went back in front through Sharpe again just after the second half, as he converted another cross, this time from Paul Scholes. But Everton pegged the away side back again, as Limpar’s free-kick smashed the crossbar, only for David Rideout to follow up and give Everton hope.

However, all three points went back to Manchester as Beckham collected another assist, this time setting up Giggs for an easy finish.

2. Everton 3-4 Manchester United (February 7, 2004)

Ruud van Nistelrooy joined the hundred club for United as they survived a scare to come away 4-3 winners at Goodison Park. The Red Devils raced to a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to two goals from Louis Saha and a cool finish from the Dutchman.

But Everton came back fighting in the second half, as David Unsworth broke free at the front post to head home powerfully. The introduction of young blue Wayne Rooney lifted the crowd, and his presence in the box led to a goal mouth scrambled where John O’Shea knocked the ball into his own net.

And the comeback was complete when Thomas Gravesen’s free-kick was turned in by Kevin Kilbane, a miraculous recovery from a resurgent Toffees side. However; the party was spoiled, as Van Nistelrooy broke clear of his marker in the 89th minute to glance a header past Nigel Martin, taking all three points back to Old Trafford.

3. Everton 3-3 Manchester United (September 11, 2010)

An incredible comeback from Everton in stoppage-time stunned Sir Alex Ferguson’s United, as they scored two goals in the final minutes of the game.

Former Evertonian Wayne Rooney was dropped from the game following issues with his private life. The game started perfectly for the hosts who took the lead through Steven Pienaar. However Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov put United apparently beyond sight.

But there was more drama to come; as Tim Cahill’s trademark header gave Everton hope at the start of stoppage-time, before Mikel Arteta’s 93rd minute strike deflected past the United defenders and in to the net.

Did you know?

In the nine games Rooney has played at Goodison for Manchester United, he has only scored two goals, and has found the net just four times in 18 matches against his old club.