A game, or rather series of games, that seemed to typify Everton’s 1970s, ending in agonising late defeat at Old Trafford. It followed three attempts played over 330 minutes, spanning a calendar month. Everton were desperate to creep out of Liverpool’s shadows with some silverware, but after a 0-0 bore draw at Wembley on 12 March they were forced into a replay at Hillsborough four days later. There, Roger Kenyon’s late own goal seemed certain to give Villa victory, until Bob Latchford slammed home an equaliser from close range.
Nearly a month passed before the second replay. On 38 minutes Ken McNaught flicked on a Goodlass free kick and Latchford put Everton in front. Villa attacked incessantly, but just as it seemed as if Everton would hold out they struck two goals in two minutes. Mick Lyons scored a quick-fire equaliser and the game entered extra time. It seemed to be heading for penalties – a first in domestic football – when, two minutes from the end, a deflection off Goodlass wrongfooted the Everton defence and nobody could prevent Brian Little from grabbing a winner. And so, Everton’s search for a trophy continued.
