On April 22nd, 1893, Everton and Liverpool met each other for the first time since the split the previous year. It is disputed that this was the first ever Merseyside Derby. However, Everton’s reserve team (a.k.a. Everton Combination) participated in the tournament, not the first team; so technically, this wasn’t the first ever Merseyside Derby. But that didn’t mean the game was a friendly affair. The Everton-Liverpool rivalry started with a bang.

Run-Up

Preview

Newly-formed Liverpool went into the game winning the Lancashire League title at the first time of asking, narrowly pipping Blackpool and Bury for their first ever piece of silverware. Everton Combination went into the game winning 46 out of 54 games that season, losing only 4 times and scoring an incredible 267 goals – nearly 5 goals a game. Everton had also won the previous three Liverpool Senior Cups. So Everton were undoubtedly the favourites.

Line-Ups

The Match

Over 10,000 fans were at the match at Hawthorne Road in Bootle. Liverpool kicked things off and wasted no time in trying to break the deadlock. Established goalkeeper Richard Williams was forced to parry Hugh McQueen’s shot away for a corner, and he was forced into action again soon after, conceding another corner. A third corner was then taken, but to no avail. A terrific start for Liverpool, and they didn’t stop there.

The Everton defence were needed as Liverpool won a free-kick, which eventually resulted in another corner for Liverpool after Richard Williams saved John McCartney’s header. Aside from an interception from former Everton player Andrew Hannah, the Liverpool defence hardly moved – Everton couldn’t find a way to get into their half at all. They eventually managed to after good work from Abe Hartley, James McMillan and Jack Elliott, but the ball subsequently went out of play.

Richard Williams came to the rescue once again after saving a shot from Joe McBride. Liverpool’s dominance continued thereafter after a shot from forward (and occasional goalkeeper) Matt McQueen and an unsuccessful through ball by his brother, Hugh. Liverpool goalkeeper Billy McOwen was called into action for the first time in the game, but only to run out of his area and clear the ball away. Everton tried to get a shot at goal after great work from Patrick Gordon and Joey Murray, but Andrew Hannah stopped the attack.

A breakthrough soon occurred, and, to no surprise, it was Liverpool who scored the first goal of the game after 35 minutes. The goal came from an Everton free-kick – the free-kick was given after a handball from John McCartney, but after the free-kick was taken, the ball was in Liverpool’s grasp again and a neat pass from John Miller to former Everton forward Tom Wyllie, who subsequently scored with a low drive. Richard Williams was finally beaten.

It wouldn’t be a local derby without, at least, a slight tussle. After Joe McQue tackled Joey Murray, the two players had a bit of an argument before the referee, former Blackburn and England goalkeeper Herby Arthur, calmed things down. Liverpool then remained in control until half-time – a very one-sided game so far.

In the second half, Everton finally had a chance – John McCartney fouled James McMillan and John Collins placed the free-kick onto Jack Elliott’s head. However, Elliott couldn’t direct his header into the goal. Further chances ensued for Everton after Patrick Gordon continuously tried to find an equaliser, only to end up with corners instead. Afterwards, the game was end-to-end: both teams had their chances but failed to convert them. Liverpool had the chance to extend their lead but were prevented by good defending from John Collins and Tom Wyllie grazed the post.

The match was approaching its final moments, and there was huge controversy. Everton had a chance for an equaliser, but it then resulted in a corner. Liverpool dealt with it, but did they do it legally? The Everton players were furious because they thought they should have had a penalty for handball. They believed one of the Liverpool defenders punched it away. However, following consultations with the linesmen, Herby Arthur rejected Everton’s claims and no penalty was given. The game resumed after Arthur awarded a drop-ball and it was cleared, and Arthur blew the final whistle immediately after the ball was kicked.

Full Time: Everton Combination 0-1 Liverpool

The Everton players didn’t take Arthur’s decision not to give the penalty lightly. Usually, when a team wins a trophy, they have a presentation. But Liverpool didn’t get one. This was because the Everton players were so apoplectic with rage, they protested the result, blaming “the general incompetence of the referee.” Following the protest, the Liverpool Football Association decided to hold a meeting to discuss the matter. Everton’s protest was dismissed, and Liverpool were awarded the trophy after their 0-0 draw against Preston three days after the final.