Considered one of the classic Victorian FA Cup finals, 1897 saw the two footballing heavyweights of the decade come face to face.
A record crowd for a final saw Villa take an early lead, but thereafter Everton really took the game to the Midlanders. John Bell, in particular, was in mesmerising form. ‘The game was made memorable by John Bell’s extraordinary efforts to win the match for his side, and no one admired his wonderful ability more than the supporters of Aston Villa,’ record William Gibson and Alfred Pickford in their seminal history of English football.
Everton took a 2-1 lead through Bell and Richard Boyle, but their defensive frailties let them down. Bob Menham, their hapless goalkeeper, was singled out for criticism as Everton fell 3-2 behind by the 35th minute. Extraordinarily, given the dramas that preceded it, the score remained the same until the final whistle.
