Man Utd writers share best memories of Goodison Park before final game

JOE GANLEY

It is nonetheless most likely my favorite away recreation of all: April 2007, and we’re locked in a tense and knotty title battle with Jose Mourinho’s seemingly indomitable Chelsea. It is a superb spring day at Goodison, and the air tingles with anticipation. However by half-time we’re one down. Inside minutes of the restart, it is two.

To make issues worse, I am within the residence finish, to the facet of a small pocket of Reds tucked away within the Bullens Street. Because the Toffees’ objectives go in, I’ve to face up and mix in, nevertheless crushed I really feel inside. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are forward. I really like Goodison Park’s intimacy however, let’s be trustworthy: it’s not nice when Everton are on prime. It feels claustrophobic. The gamers appear rushed on the ball. Each residence cross and deal with are urged on with spiteful intent.
However then the magic occurs: a traditional Fergusonian siege begins.

John O’Shea scores, then former Purple Phil Neville bizarrely smashes into his personal internet, because the strain mounts. With simply over 10 left, Wayne Rooney deceives Tony Hibbert and slides United right into a breathless lead. For the primary time, numerous Reds round me – silent up up to now – bravely go up. When Chris Eagles curls residence the fourth in stoppage time, it appears like half the stand is on its ft, celebrating! ‘Reds are right here, Reds are there…’

Brilliantly, Bolton are holding Chelsea in London, and we’re going 5 factors clear. Half an hour earlier, Mourinho’s lads had been joint-top.
There’s all the time one away recreation, on a title race run-in, that turns into the proving floor for potential champions. In 2007, Goodison was it, and Rooney, Ronaldo and co stood up in thrilling vogue. Looking back, it was the beginning of one of many biggest durations in United historical past. Halcyon days.