Manchester United’s next Premier League fixture comes at 15:00 BST this Saturday; a clash with 7th-placed Everton at Goodison Park.
A win for United will see them keep the pressure on rivals Manchester City ahead of next weekend’s derby – but if it’s The Toffees who emerge victorious, they will level with the Red Devils on points and Louis van Gaal’s men will be at risk of falling behind Arsenal and City.
However, instead of focusing on the present, we’ve decided to delve into the past with this article – and look at some of the key early meetings between the two sides, dating back to the 19th Century! Here they are…
Everton 6-0 Newton Heath LYR – 24th September 1892
Still operating under the name “Newton Heath” and playing in the now famous green and gold, United didn’t exactly give a good account of themselves in their first fixture against Everton – shipping six goals.
The game came at Goodison Park, where the sides will meet this weekend; but in front of a crowd of around ten thousand, as opposed to the forty thousand that will watch Saturday’s clash.
Two of Everton’s goals were scored by Fred Geary – who managed an astonishing record of 78 goals in 91 league games for the Toffees. Everton legend Edgar “Hooky” Chadwick also picked up a brace against Newton Heath.
Manchester United 3-0 Everton – 22nd April 1907
United’s first win against The Ev’ didn’t come until 15 years later, in the seventh game between the two sides. Most notably, United legend Billy Meredith notched the first goal in this tie, which was played at Bank Street in Clayton. The stadium no longer exists – the car park for Manchester Velodrome is on the old site.
Also in the United side was Sandy Turnbull, who scored the first ever goal at Old Trafford on 19th February 1909 – just under two years after this first victory against Everton. Turnbull was given a lifelong ban from football for alleged match fixing in 1915 but unfortunately, died in combat during the First World War. He was posthumously reinstated as a footballer in 1919.
Manchester United 3-2 Everton – 6th April 1910
This was a notable fixture because it was the first between the two sides at Old Trafford, with the attendance a mere 5,000. To put that into perspective, when United beat Everton 2-1 at Old Trafford last season, the attendance was 75,294. The growth of football in that sense has been absolutely astonishing over the last 100 years.
Jimmy Turnbull scored twice for the home side in what ended up being his final appearance for the club before moving to Bradford City in September. United’s third was added by none other than Billy Meredith.
Meanwhile, Everton’s goal-getters were John Sharp and Walter White (no, not the bloke from Breaking Bad!). White made 52 appearances for the Toffees before moving to Fulham and we’re fairly certain he spent none of his time outside Goodison Park making crystal meth in a caravan.
Back to present day
United’s record against Everton is very tight, thanks in part to a large early dominance by the Toffees in this fixture. It stands at 82-41-69 (W-D-L) in all competitions – will Louis van Gaal and his men pick up an 83rd United win on Saturday or will the boys in Blue send us home from Merseyside with a lot to think about?
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