After almost a century of Merseyside derbies and four FA Cup semi-final derby encounters, Everton finally came face to face with their neighbours and great rivals in the final. A week earlier Liverpool had wrested the First Division title from Everton at the last, after a stunning run of wins in the latter part of the season overhauled Everton’s lead at the top of the table. Now Everton were bent on revenge.
Everton took a 27th-minute lead when Gary Lineker latched on to Peter Reid’s outstanding through ball and took it past Bruce Grobbelaar. With Everton deserved leaders at half-time, Liverpool’s unease was demonstrated by a flare-up between Grobbelaar and Jim Beglin. Both Kevin Sheedy and Trevor Steven went close to doubling Everton’s lead after the interval.
But then Jan Molby intercepted Gary Stevens’ aimless crossfield ball and played in Ian Rush, who sidestepped Bobby Mimms and made it 1-1. Soon after a back-pedalling Grobelaar tipped over Graeme Sharp’s header, and Everton’s best chance of regaining the lead was gone. Craig Johnston put Liverpool ahead, and Rush made it 3-1 to Liverpool with six minutes remaining.
