The Cups. Liverpool derby at the Football League Cup – up and coming Everton vs mighty Liverpool. As derbies go, it was tense and difficult. The final ended 0-0. Liverpool prevailed in the replay – 1-0, thanks to Souness.
Nice picture, but it was battle on the pitch, both teams ambitious.
Perhaps Everton was not at its peak yet and they lost to more experience team. But it was nice challenge and good stepping point for better future.
Difficult victory, but victory. Confirming that Liverpool was the top club and also prevailing over local rivals, which matters a lot. A double does not come every day, especially in England, so it was great season for Liverpool.
The FA Cup opposed Watford to Everton. Well, Everton was truly climbing up, reaching both cup final this year. Watford wanted to get a trophy too. Class decided it – Everton won 2-0, Sharp and Gray scoring the goals.
Everton posed with the FA Cup. It was their 4th and the first one won after 1966.
Watford deserves two pictures. They reached the very possible top – it is arguable was it in 1982-83, when they finished in the championship, or this year, when they had a chance to win the FA Cup. No matter, really, for it was heroic effort of a small club. And a small club they were, unfortunately. Few ever did the kind of miracle Watford did: in 1976-77 they were lost in 4th Division – in 1981-82 they were promoted to the top league, only to finish 2nd in their first season. But it was not possible to go higher than that – Watford had some good players, but there was no chance to build a team of stars. They had to sell – Luther Blissett was already gone to Milan. At best, Watford could be mid-table club. Playing at the cup final was more or less the maximum, a peak more likely to not be repeated. Sorry for the darlings, but that was the reality.
Everton had a decent team for years, but nothing special. Their last triumph was in 1969-70, when they were champions of England. True, they were never in danger of relegation, but they also nothing more than solid squad – nothing to compare with their rivals Liverpool. Even now the team did not very impressive, but the work of Howard Kendall was: it was team going up, having good players, younger and ambitious, not at their peak yet. Since there were no first-class stars around, the best players were not attracting the interest of other clubs and there was room for development in relative peace. Everton was coming, that was made sure this year – noticeable championship and two cup finals. They won one, so ambition was backed up by success.
Lastly, there was something interesting happening: this was 3rd consecutive year when one club reached two cup finals – and won one. Before Everton, Manchester United in 1982-83, and Tottenham Hotspur in 1981-82. Never before 1982 such thing happened, but three years in a row was interesting pattern. Was it possible to continue?