The Cups – one final was pleasant contest between underdogs and the other simply continued the Liverpool rivalry. The Football League Cup final opposed Queen’s Park Rangers to Oxford United. QPR eliminated Liverpool at the semi-finals and overall was the likelier winner, having tradition and stronger squad in its favour. But this is England… In front of more than 90 000 fans, little Oxford practically destroyed QPR: 3-0!
QPR had stronger squad and desperately needed trophies, but trophies are to be won and winners score goals. Let say, it was wonderful achievement reaching the final.
Oxford was a pure delight – may be they did not play great football, may be they had rather anonymous squad, but victory of the underdog is always delightful. And it was very confident victory, nothing chancy – a triumph of commitment and desire.
Of course, Oxford was not going to win any more trophies, so the winners deserve a second look – the great team Oxford United ever had. The best moment in their history.
The FA Cup opposed Liverpool to Everton. Never-ending battle… Perhaps here the whole difference between the two rival clubs was fully displayed: Liverpool won 3-1. No matter how hungry Everton was, Liverpool was hungrier. And, overall, classier…
Everton lost twice to Liverpool this year and finished the season emptyhanded. However, it was not that much the lost tournaments, but the perspective – what works against Everton’s myth of stunted development is the fact that Liverpool usually prevailed over this very vintage of Everton: Liverpool prevailed in the 1983-84 League Cup final, they prevailed in this final, they prevailed in the championship. That is, Liverpool was getting the upper hand against this excellent Everton’s squad. Everton was a bit weaker…
Liverpool with double this season. Beating Everton twice. Simply great. Standing from left: Kenny Dalglish, Bruce Grobelaar, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Gary Gillespie, Ian Rush, Kevin McDonald. First row: Jim Beglin, Steve Nicol, Craig Johnston, Ronnie Whelan, Steve McMahon. It is always good to see who was sitting on the bench – otherwise the might of Liverpool could not be truly grasped. And that was the big difference between them and Everton… Liverpool was much deeper, had very strong and experienced players in the back. Even banished from European football Liverpool was not slowing down. On the other hand… it was quite boring to see Liverpool win year after year.