Everton 1 v 0 Espanyol                             Mon. 13th Aug 2001

Att: 18,395

Everton : Gerrard, Watson, Weir, Stubbs, Pistone,Unsworth,Moore Gemmill, Pembridge, Ferguson, Campbell.

Subs: Simonsen, Clarke for Campbell(81m), Cleland for Moore(45m), Hibbert for Watson(75m), Chadwick for Ferguson(72m),

Scorer : Moore (25m)

It was great to get back to Goodison once again and the tears were flowing freely when Alex Young walked out on the pitch to the Z Cars tune. He was welcomed onto the pitch by the two teams and by Everton old boys. Over 18,000 turned up to pay tribute to one of Evertons all time greats,the Golden Vision.

Before the game started we had a minutes silence. Does anybody know why?

Everton were awarded a penalty after two minutes when Super Kev was held back running onto Big Duncs header. Up stepped Rhino who smashed his spot kick against the post. The Blues nearly went one up when Alan Stubbs had a header from a Pembo corner well saved. The Toffees were dominating the early stages and Joe-Max should have done better when he volleyed wide after being set up by a great header by Super Kev. Everton finally went ahead when Pembo whipped over a great free kick from the right into to the near post where Joe-Max flicked his header into the top corner.

The game started to get a bit silly when there were a few heavy challanges going in from both sides , but it went stupid when the shithouse Spanish number 8 blatently boot the back of Joe-Max's legs. From the free kick Big Dunc had a header well saved.

Rhino wanted to tell the Spanards that he was the hardest man on the pitch when he decided to boot the right back up the arse .He was soon surrounded by half the Espanyol side, but that didn't worry Unsy.            

Half -Time: 1-0

Not surprisngly Joe Max Moore was replaced by Alec Cleland for the second half . The second half produced very little entertainment and it only came to life when local Ref Cain asked Everton to substitute Duncan after he became involved in two run-ins with the Spanish right back. On came Nick Chadwick in his place. The Blues also decided to give Tony Hibbert and Peter Clarke their oppurtunities to impress in the closing moments. Everton seem to have a bright prospect in young Chadwick,who produced the only high light of the 2nd half when he hit a dipping volley just wide.

There was very little to shout about during the second half. But on our way home me Dad reminded me why we were there. He told me the reason for going was to pay tribute to the best player he has ever seen in an Everton shirt, if me Dad says that it must be true. So I would to thank Alex Young for giving me Dad and so many other Evertonians great pleasure and great memories. Thank You.