Super Southall

The hex that Liverpool have held over Everton in recent seasons has been broken and with the beginning of a new era at Goodison Park, the future at Anfield is looking decidedly less prosperous.

Liverpool, who have dominated English football for the past 15 years, look like a club at the end of a dynasty with a less than certain future.

Losing to Luton was expected on their plastic pitch, but against their closest rivals the Reds noticeably lifted their game with more than just pride at stake.

The Toffeemen were hopeful that Liverpool's incredible run of luck against Blackburn Rovers and Brighton could not hold out forever and in the shape of Neville Southall it did.

A despairing Rush said Liverpool would have won if it had not been for "world class Southall."

Threatened

Everton manager Howard Kendall was delighted that his side had finally triumphed in this epic FA Cup Fifth Round: "At long last Neville may have learned to dive the right way when Rushie is through on his own. Long may it continue."

Apart from Dave Watson's goal in the 11th minute, Everton rarely threatened Grobbelaar, but predictably it was a high ball that did the damage.

Ray Atteveld's free-kick on the halfway line caused Glenn Hysen some problems and Graeme Sharp outjumped him and Gary Ablett.

Martin Keown benefitted from his knockdown, but Grobbelaar's flailing left boot denied the central defender but his partner, Dave Watson, stabbed the ball home.

As early as the third minute Rush signalled his intentions when he turned Keown, but Southall was equal to Rush's low strike to his right.

Rush again punished Keown's hesitation in the 47th minute, but Southall pulled off another inspirational save.

Rush was having a tremendous game and he set up Steve Nicol in the 55th minute, but the Welsh keeper again made a remarkable save and denied the same player again nine minutes later.

Rush has scored 23 goals in Merseyside derbies but Southall was determined he would not achieve his 24th and with Rush their most potent threat, it was clearly evident that Liverpool's luck had run out.

Southall also turned over a header by Peter Beardsley, but it would have taken a deflection or a penalty to beat him in this inspired mood.

Everton 1, Liverpool 0

Half-Time : 1-0.
Attendance : 40,201.

Team : Grobbelaar, Hysen, Vension (Speedie 73), Nicol, Molby, Ablett, Beardsley, Houghton, Rush, Barnes, Staunton.

Substitute not used : Tanner.

Copyright - Press Association.