Our Everton in the 80s feature looks back exactly 28 years to the 1985-86 season. On Saturday 7th December 1985, Everton made the trip down the M6 to the West Midlands for a league fixture with West Brom. After a low-key start to the season the Blues are in the midst of a fantastic run as they continue to rise up the table in pursuit of Manchester United and Liverpool at the top.
Everton picked up a comfortable 3-0 win at The Hawthorns against bottom club, West Brom. A Kevin Sheedy strike and a rare Pat Van Den Hauwe goal enabled the champions to go in 2-0 up at half-time and England striker, Gary Lineker added his 11th league goal of the season in the 2nd half. It was a vital win as all the teams above Everton, bar Chelsea all picked up 3 points too.
Everton XI vs West Brom: Southall, Harper, Van Den Hauwe, Ratcliffe, Stevens, Heath, Steven, Lineker, Sharp, Bracewell (Wilkinson) Sheedy.
Everton have a busy week ahead with the Milk Cup 4th rd replay with Chelsea on Tuesday and a chance to exact revenge on Lineker’s former club, Leicester on Saturday. Everton lost 3-1 at Filbert St on the opening day of the season, one of 18th placed Leicester’s 4 league wins this season.
The draw for the third round of the FA Cup took place on Sunday, with Everton, looking to make a third consecutive final appearance, drawn against Exeter City of Division 4. The tie which is scheduled for Goodison Park will see Everton go into the game as huge favourites.