By ClockEndRider & 21stCenturyGooner
Once more we are up at Sparrowfart, as the Guv’ would’ve said, bushy-tailed ahead of a trip to the Northwest. This is our first and indeed last visit to Goodison, home of Everton for 133 years, but shortly to be abandoned for a shiny new riverside stadium.
Having left home at 4.50 am, we arrive at South Mimms services to pick up the coach which departs at 5.45 am. There has been much criticism among Arsenal fans generally of the poor outsourced ticketing experience, but this is one area they have got right. £30 for a return trip to Everton is darn good value, especially on a day which combines with Grand National day and has train ticket prices through the roof.
It is fair to say that with a combination of an injury list which must be the result of Mikel breaking a mirror while walking under a ladder in order to avoid the black cat crossing his path, the latest wholly explicable (sic) PGMOL cock-up which sees Tarkowski being available rather than quite rightly banned for his tackle on a Liverpool player the other day, and the prospect of playing a David Moyes team, with all the physicality and dullness that embodies, hopes are somewhat muted. Still, it’s an away trip and we’ll have a laugh along the way and a pre-match beer in the ground before watching The Arsenal. We are assured by that venerable, seasoned away traveller C100 that Goodison is a unique experience and one that I am glad 21CG will get to experience – a ground which is a real throwback to the ones older generations experienced before the sanitisation of the sport took place.
First port of call is Stafford services on the M6 for a scheduled comfort and food break. Rumour has it that the Michelin guide is considering upping its rating from “!” to “?”. At 8.30 am these services are unprepared for a coach load of football fans so we can’t have the standard issue away-day, low fat, cholesterol-free eggs, bacon, black pudding, chips, beans, mushrooms and tomato and have to settle for the ersatz Burger King version. Disappointing doesn’t begin to describe.
We’re back on the coach at 9.15 and arrive to park up next to Stanley Park at 10.20. From outside the coach we see Goodison, rising like a phoenix from the old 2-up 2-down terraced houses surrounding it, bathed in glorious spring sunshine, a phoenix rising from the ashes. The sight is every bit as awesome as C100 promised me it would be. We had time, so chose to wander round the area surrounding the ground. Outside the main entrance was the statue of Dixie Dean and we look to take a selfie. A steward immediately steps in and asks if he can take it for us. The first of many kind and welcoming acts shown to us. We wander further round and come upon the church of St Luke the Evangelist on the corner of Goodison Road and Gwladys Street. They have an exhibition on, celebrating the time Everton have spent there and some of their fabulous players. They have a whole section on players we have shared with them. We skip over Franny Jeffers and look at original programmes and pictures of Alan Ball and then latterly Anders Limpar and Kevin Campbell. Another really nice touch, we thought.
We left with a warm glow and wandered down the fabled Gwladys Street. I explain to 21CG how once upon a time, in fact not that long ago, all grounds were like this. The 70s and particularly 80’s were not pleasant times to go away and the tight streets around away grounds were to be feared rather than venerated for the cathedrals of working class culture that they, in hindsight, were. But it made me think how it used to be at Arsenal: hot dog sellers vying with fish and chip shops, badge and scarf sellers, the ritual stop at the programme seller outside Aubert Court opposite Lucerne Road, 50 yards from the Clock End. Soon this will all be just a memory for Evertonians and football fans worldwide who look to visit a proper old-fashioned football ground. While it is here it remains a kind of omphalos, the centre of the footballing world.
Merseyside police are helpful and chirpy as are the army of stewards, keen to assist. At 11.30 we go into the temple itself and, again, I am taken back to my first experience at the Arsenal. Old fashioned windowless concrete steps rising up and spewing you forth to get your first inside view of the pitch in all its glory. And it is a glorious sight. We take some pics and wander back downstairs for a beer. 10 quid for 2 pints of decent beer. Are you listening, Arsenal?
At 12.15 we’re back in place awaiting the traditional entrance of the players. The famous siren blasts and hairs stand up on my neck. The visceral familial connections to football flood back. My grandparents were evacuated from Islington during the war. My great-grandmother narrowly avoided death one night on Liverpool Road when a bomb fell as she was walking back from her job as a nurse. The Z-Cars theme starts up and the generational link between us and football once again wraps around me like a blanket in winter. I abandon myself to the emotion and thoughts of those gone before. Football is about so much more than the game.
The game starts and I am catapulted back to the present. We are well in control, despite the number of changes made by Mikel, which certainly surprised me. On 9 minutes the away fans and the whole ground erupts into singing “Super Kevin Campbell”, a lovely touch, remembering the passing but more the effervescence and sheer power of one of our own whom we shared with Everton. Very fitting.
The game followed the inevitable pattern of Arsenal dominating the possession, tasked with breaking down another low block. Which made it all the more surprising that our goal came from a counterattack. Following a headed clearance from a hopeful Everton ball into the box, the ball found its way to the ever so popular Raheem Sterling who drove through the centre of the pitch. Instead of falling over or losing possession, Sterling was able to find a teammate in Leandro Trossard, who took a touch before slamming the ball across goal into the far corner on his left peg clinically. It was the kind of finish we’ve come to associate with the Belgian who is perhaps the best finisher at the club. And it was also a third assist in two starts for Raheem. Finding form in time for Madrid perhaps?
We saw out the remainder of the half and the mood on the concourse was nice and jovial. We were in total control and were playing at a good intensity. Another goal would certainly be enough. The sun shone, the beer was affordable, and Arsenal were surely on their way to a routine three points to set them up nicely for Real Madrid. The kind of day where nothing can possibly go wrong.
Then in the second half, the inevitable happened and for the umpteenth time, not just in the last few years but also just this season, the PGMOL representatives conspired to change the course of the game. Lewis-Skelly – who seems to attract inexplicable decisions the same way candy floss attracts blue-bottles – had a tussle with an Everton player outside the area which continued into it. MLS fell and then so did the Everton player. That we were not in the least surprised by the referee’s decision to award a penalty and the VAR representative confirming this decision, is in no way reflective of the nature of the tussle. Rather, it is reflective of the increasingly, let us say, downright odd way in which PGMOL seems to think games ought to be officiated. Fresh from a week in which we have seen the Tarkowski challenge be green-lit by both referee and VAR as not being dangerous and of excessive force (compare and contrast MLS vs Wolves) we have another abhorrent display of what the kinder members of the choir regard as incompetence. I’m sorry, but incompetence only takes this so far. The entire purpose of using TV evidence post event is, surely, to mitigate against decisions made incorrectly in haste or with a referee, understandably, not having the best sight line. When this evidence is not used for this purpose but rather for the sole purpose of backing up the initial decision then it becomes rather disconcerting. Everyone can see what happened. Everyone has a common understanding of how the rules have and should be applied. And yet the footballing commissars tell us to disregard the evidence of our own eyes and historical experience and that we have to agree with the verdict as set out by them. It is frankly Orwellian in its utter contempt for the fans, with the decisions of former days, weeks, years being memory-holed so that we are forced, not encouraged, to regard each incident as discrete, wholly unrelated to similar events before. It is truly sinister. No matter how much Big Brother tells me that we have always been at war with East Asia, I know that only last week Eurasia was the enemy. And so do you.
The rest of the game passed in the same vein it had before, with Arsenal in control and Everton doing what David Moyes teams do – stylistically take us back to the age where football was about how much you ran and threw your weight around with skill and style barely an afterthought. If public healthcare had moved on as little as David Moyes tactics, we would still be a nation of Rickets and TB sufferers. He truly is a footballing throwback. The most notable chance was generated by Martinelli who almost curled a beauty into the far corner but was denied by a fantastic save from Jordan Pickford. The Brazilian has looked much more dangerous in our last few games. He may well be our most dangerous player over the two games against Real Madrid.
We played fairly well and we deserved to win. We know the Title is well and truly over and the result was always secondary to avoiding any more injuries and we did that.
The referee seemingly had one more joke to play on the people who pay his salary, when, with time added on still to play, he decided to blow up for the end of the match. The entire ground and all the players were in uproar and eventually, and with a typical lack of clarity, he ultimately played on for another minute or so. I have no idea if this was sheer incompetence, or some kind of effort at footballing prestidigitation. Either way, this man should not be refereeing the village jam making competition let alone Premiership matches.
Let’s not end what was a fabulous awayday focusing on the negatives. Which, thinking about it, might actually be an appropriate epithet to apply to PGMOL. Because it was otherwise a fantastic day. A great trip there and back for a reasonable price; glorious spring sunshine; the warmest, most hospitable of welcomes; a tiny window back to a simpler, happier time and how things, football and social, used to be. Denizen of this place and awayday veteran, C100, is so right. Everton is a proper football club. Goodison is a proper football ground. I am so lucky to have attended a game there, possibly more so to have attended Arsenal’s final game there. Thank you, Everton. See you next year at Bramley Dock, I hope.
A marvellous read and one I’m sure both sets of supporters would enjoy. Thank you.
We may not have had a particularly enthralling game of football to enjoy over this weekend but GHF’s tour de force contribution to the Goonerverse has been spectacular. Bath’s extensive preview coverage established a brilliant foundation which I thought would be difficult to top giving the quality of the fare served up at Goodison yesterday but this hugely atmospheric piece from CER and 21CG has, I think, managed to achieve that. Well done guys.
Given the injuries we’ve suffered this season, I think it’s probably unlikely that the title would have wound its way to North London even if PGMOL had been competent, consistent and not corrupt. Sadly, because of that organisations inability to match expectations on any one of these three Cs, this season is now ending with a very damp squib whimper and absolutely no bang.
Well done, gents. A hugely enjoyable and evocative report.
Thanks CER & 21CG, it was a pleasure reading about the trip and the experience of the Evertonian hospitality.
As the PL already over thanks to the PGMOL this game had a very little significance only not to lose and avoid injury and these were duly achieved.
I’ve never seen anything like this that a football game was ended and than somehow continued with a freekick. If you have ever seen anything like this please share.
One thing is clear as daylight PGMOL is not fit for purpose and if there is a legal way to end its participation in the PL than The Arsenal has to consider all the options.
Win the next one.
COYG
Excellent and evocative write-up, folks. I felt I was travelling with you there.
A fabulous and atmospheric description of a great and nostalgic away day CER. Long may it live in your memories.
Dears, (to whom it may concern) something changed with the outside connections of the Goonerholic site. The new articles usually are available via The Highbury Library collector site but not anymore. I don’t know that it is intentional or not but I miss the links. I come here regularly though but new fans will not find this conversations which is a pity.
A wonderful read, fellas ! Thank you for that fantastic effort !
I’ve made my feelings on PGMOL quite clear in the last bar and on more than one occasion. Suffice to say they are in line with your own. A non-foul by MLS, a dive by Harrison and all initiated outside the area. Decision: penalty against the young lad who was pulled over obto his back. Absolutely no hint of revenge (no Siree !) by the referee whose VAR decision was rescinded -also involving MLS and that ludicrous decision to red card him at Wolves.
Watching the Arsenal – something that was a hugely anticipated pleasure – is just making me angry of late. Nothing to do with the manager, the team, the club, the injuries or the failure to win the biggest trophies – it’s just the inevitable weekly fiasco as this bunch of mutually justifying and excusing mates wreck the best efforts of our club’s attempts to honestly win a marathon competition over three seasons and nine months of trials and tribulations.
Some people are so quick off the mark ….
Thanks for the kind comments, guys.
C100, that is pure genius!
Las @7, thanks for that. This is one of several unintended consequences of some behind the scenes activity. I believe scruz is working on it. Some unwanted effects have been reversed. We certainly don’t want to leave the Highbury Library. Your concerns are appreciated and shared.
CER & 21CG: I read that with unalloyed pleasure. Bravo.
And kudos for adding omphalos to the GHF lexicon.
Trev, l agree. I believe there is a deliberate intention to give the advantage to the other team by certain refs. This only works for them because the narrative has been created that Arsenal are whiners and generally disliked. Even when they got it so wrong with the MLS sending off they came back with the shite about Oliver being attacked online and charging the club for surrounding the referee. It’s so obvious they have a bias against Arsenal but it will take a whistleblower to confirm everything we already know.
Well put, SP. And I wonder how the investigation into the non-existent Oliver death threats is going. In the words of the terrace song of yesteryear, it’s all gone quiet over there. Memory-holed.
That’s a great piece thanks CER. And wot BtM said @2 .
@9 is brilliant and very amusing
@11 Bath, scruz – just a quick confirmation my posts are going up no problem now 👍
What an excellent read. Thanks very much, puts things into much-needed perspective.
The Torygraph has noticed the somewhat uneven application of the Laws of The Game by Webb’s Mafia and finally called it out:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/04/06/virgil-van-dijk-referee-decisions-preferential-treatment/
We are deeply endebted to the Countrymen and CER and son for the description and colour of away trips this season. I’ve been to Goodison but not seen a game there and this excellent report gives me a real feel for a game I did not see live. I’m on holiday with the missus in Norfolk and devoted the morning to her . But our away support as a club is magnificent and the chaps here
As it happens we drew a point closer to Liverpool this weekend and had the blind ref not awarded them a gift would have won.
Our attention transfers to Tuesday and a VERY big game
Thanks for so many kind words. 21CG and I appreciate it. We were a bit nervous in submitting yet as it is heart-on-sleeve and eschews the normal approach of trying to be analytical and to take the emotion out of things. Given we know what it feels like to leave a cherished home, we thought we would just write a more visceral piece.
TTG @20 – Tuesday is as you say a huge game now. Arteta, to my mind, did exactly the right thinking in switching the side around to spread the minutes and assist with some of the players coming back from injury. These are the games we dream about. I think the ground will be rocking.
There is a lovely piece in today’s Sunday Times by David Walsh about the great Frank Mclintock. I’m not able to access it online but it’s well worth reading .
CER – why would you want to take the emotion out of anything g to do with football. VAR is already attending to that and it’s killing the game.
Abuse- No. Emotion – Every day !
Thanks for that, Peter. I see him occasionally, prosaically at the local Sainsburys, less so in the local pub. He lives round the corner from me.
Hang on. I live round the corner from him. There is a difference…..
Here’s that David Walsh piece about the Skipper (as Pat Rice still calls him). Paywalled I’m afraid but maybe someone can unlock it.
My night at Emirates with McLintock, the Arsenal legend even Henry bows to
https://www.thetimes.com/article/a2c782a0-113e-46dc-a2f3-580fcc730581?shareToken=9755612978ea69bf9661fa8598a4452b
That is a really good article on McClintock, C100. Thanks vm.
Bath@19 – that article on van Dyke now possessing the Fernandinho/Rodri Cloak of Unbookability is paywalled unfortunately. If someone could do the honours I’m sure it would provide a very interesting read.
Thanks C100, nice article.
I seem to be able to read it in full, not being logged in or having paid.
CER @26, it will perhaps be unlocked in due course elsewhere.
Spare a kindly thought for Aaron Ramsdale today; it is his third relegation from the PL — and he’s only 26.
C100@25: Thanks for the link. A delightful read. Seeing the names of that Double team again reminds one of how good it was. Not a weak link.
Armstrong or Saka? Now, there’s a question.
If you haven’t already seen it, take a look at the highlights if the U-18 win away at Leicester at the weekend. Very brief highlights, I know, but 15 year old Dowman continues to look very good indeed.
https://www.arsenal.com/news/u18s-highlights-leicester-city-3-5-arsenal
The estimable Arseblog makes some good points this morning about games where the title has been lost , in terms of games drawn. Looking at the table this morning, think how different it might have been without PGMOL, erm, oddness, without which we would have had more points:
– City away – 2 points
– Brighton at home – 2 points
– Brighton away- 2 points
– Everton away- 2 points.
– Liverpool at home – 2 points. And 1 point fewer for them.
With those points, we have 72 to Liverpool’s 72. And we have drawn fewer games than them.
This is before you take into account the sending off of one of the fastest defenders in the league away at Bournemouth for a foul on the half way line which apparently prevented a goal scoring opportunity.
Buying a striker would have improved us. But what if he had been injured? It’s a part of the game and is down to pure bad luck. That can happen. What can’t be legislated for is decisions so egregious that even MoTD calls them out.
Thanks for the piece about Frank McLintock, great to see they are still in touch and
several of them are fighting fit.
Thanks guys for a wonderful write up suggesting a great day out.
I only watched the highlights but given how the MLS penalty unfolded I couldn’t help but think that if Trossard had gone down earlier when under challenge in the area, rather than staying up and shooting straight at Pickford, that it would have been hard to deny us a penalty.
Small margins indeed.
UTA
A good piece from Pedro along the same lines as CER, 21CG and Blogs, adding the observation that until the PGMOL mafia are straightened out/ abolished/ incarcerated, buying a new striker isn’t going to make a huge difference!:
https://www.le-grove.co.uk/p/premier-league-product-takes-another
C100 @32 – while I agree wholeheartedly with your comments, precisely those issues are what several / most / all of us have been saying since that farcical sending off of Declan Rice vs Brighton.
It’s also why I said with long term injuries and Jesus, Trossard possibly, and Sterling definitely leaving, we really need two strikers in the summer. To expect one to carry the entire load and hope that Havertz, Saka, Martinelli suffer no recurrences is a big gamble to say the least.
A belated thanks to CER / 21cG for a winder full match repirt – up there with the very best.
Some excellent links posted by C100 & Bath. The FrankMcClintock link brought back wonderful memories of that short lived period – a great team dis-assembled ( including Frank) by Bertie Mee all too soon. Many lean years followed.
With regard to PGMOL awful decision making for Arsenal matches, it’s just not the past couple of years. Stats were regularly produced over the years as to the ratio of cards issued v fouls conceded compared with other clubs – referees were carding us much more pro rata. Of course it’s a pure coincidence that most of these controversial decisions have come from the North West cabal of referees!!
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