Football: Everton's greatest escape

Everton. . 3

Stuart pen 24, 81, Horne 67

Wimbledon. 2

Holdsworth pen 4, Ablett og 20

Attendance: 31,297

FOR 40 years now, Everton have been at the top level of English football, but for most of yesterday at Goodison Park, it seemed like it would be a day too long. Then, in a remarkable revival, the apparently condemned men saved themselves by clawing back a two-goal deficit with a courage and commitment that would surely not have seen them in such a predicament had they shown it previously this season.

At first, their nerves were raw, as they conceded an early penalty and an own-goal to the only cool eleven men in the ground. But a dubious penalty of their own gave them hope, a stunning volley turned it to expectation and finally a simple side-foot, aided by obliging results elsewhere, sparked tumultuous scenes of relief.

Goodison was crammed to witness it, many locked out climbing trees to peer through the building site debris at the Stanley Park end, through which Anfield could be glimpsed.

Indeed, Everton's fans, deciding that this was a day to back rather than barrack, played their part in the occasion. Bill Shankly used to say over the park that the Kop could suck in a goal; it seemed as if Gwladys Street did just that twice in the second half. 'I came here expecting fanaticism but they were unbelievable,' the Everton manager, Mike Walker, said.

After a mere three minutes, though, silence overcame them as, baffled, they watched Anders Limpar unchallenged at the corner of the penalty area stretch up a hand to Gary Elkins's corner.

Neville Southall, diving to his right, got both hands to Dean Holdsworth's penalty kick but the ball trickled cruelly into the net for the Wimbledon striker's 24th goal of the season.

Worse was to follow. Dave Watson and David Unsworth jumped for the same high ball, which dropped to Andy Clarke, whose mishit shot this time dribbled into the net off the shins of Gary Ablett.

The fillip of a swift response came fortuitously for Everton, Limpar this time in action in the right area for his side. As he plunged into the area, Peter Fear closed in and the referee ruled a penalty, which Graham Stuart tucked away.

Wimbledon looked the more likely to score again, though, Vinny Jones and Robbie Earle the stronger in the crucial centre of midfield. Holdsworth three times had headed chances to extinguish Everton but twice sent the ball over the bar and the other time allowed the on-edge Southall to scurry across his goal to save, Wimbledon appealing - and Everton later admitting - that Stuart had also helped with a hand.

Still, however, as ears turned to scores involving Sheffield United, Southampton and Ipswich, one wondered from where the Blues would acquire the equaliser that might see them survive. It came out of the blue. Barry Horne seized on the ball in midfield, strode on and when it sat up invitingly, he sent a volley from 25 yards over Segers into the roof of the net.

All was safely gathered in nine minutes from time when Stuart played the ball forward to Tony Cottee, received the return and surprised Segers with a swift strike from 12 yards for his second goal of the match. Belief had become relief for Everton; Wimbledon's holiday to Las Vegas promised by their owner, Sam Hammam, for five wins and a draw from their last six matches had slipped away. 'Las Vegas is naff,' read a banner.

Courage and commitment, adrenalin, and ultimately the survial instinct, but Walker, who had seen his side beat only Swindon in his previous 16 games in charge, will seek more quality. 'I said all along to those who bothered to listen that we wouldn't go down,' he said, admitting that his side had had some luck. 'We kept our heads and we kept going. Now we have a chance to build a team that will bring in 30,000 every week.'

Up to pounds 20m of investment could be forthcoming from the new owners, led by Peter Johnson. Romance counted for something yesterday, but it is finance that Everton will need now.