For the first of my memorable matches, I was considering starting at the top with the 1995 FA Cup Final that followed this game, where we beat Man United 1-0. However, that is pretty much the only piece of silverware we have won since I started supporting them (I was a bit too young for our 80's heyday), and so I plumped for this epic FA Cup semi-final game instead so as not to blow my load too early. This was the game which galvanised my love for the toffees and made me stand up and say 'Yes, I am proud to be an Everton supporter!'
As I recall it was the summer of 1995, and all was not well at the club. Under the tutelage of Joe Royle we were severely struggling in the league and the threat of relegation looked like a very real prospect. So much so in fact that Big Joe, by his own admission, had hardly given the Cup its proper attention until we found ourselves faced with the prospect of playing Spurs at Elland Road in the Semis. This was the Spurs which featured arguably the greatest strike partnership the Premiership has ever seen in Sheringham and Klinnsmann, and as such our chances were not fancied.
However, once the game began it became clear that Tottenahm really were not up for it, whereas we were performing like a team, playing for each other and really going all out to win the game. The first goal came on the 35th minute from Matt Jackson, a player I have literally no recollection of, then a second from Graham Stuart. Klinnsmann then pulled one back for Spurs, as they started to get a foothold in the game.
But then something strange happened...
After an apparent mix-up on the bench Joe Royle sent on Daniel Amokachi by accident, and the Nigerian went on to score two more goals, making the game 4-1, and effectively sealing our place in the final. I saw a quote from Royle regarding this bizarre mix-up - something along the lines of it being the best accident he ever made, but I can't find it on the internet anywhere. I'm pretty sure I didn't make it up. In any case, we had beaten an excellent Spurs team with no small amount of aplomb, and we were on our way to the final.
But that is a story for another day...
Anyway, here are the highlights of the Semi, but the only version I could find has 'Altogether Now,' by The Farm playing over it, only with some bastardised Everton references crowbarred into it. Enjoy nonetheless!