Today I'm going back 34 years to 1989 and Tottenham's home fixture against Everton played at the old White Hart Lane in front of a crowd of 28,568. The game was played in the immediate aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster which had occurred exactly one week earlier in Sheffield during Liverpool's FA Cup Semi-Final against Nottingham Forest. 97 people died as a direct result of the disaster as well as there being numerous injuries and thousands of broken hearts as loved ones went to a football match but never returned home again. The photo adorning the cover of the programme shows some of the tributes made by ordinary fans from various clubs but mainly Tottenham supporters at the gates to the White Hart Lane stadium, a tribute that was echoed at football grounds up and down the country. The fact that the featured game was against a club based in Liverpool only added to the poignancy of the occasion.
With twelve minutes on the clock Spurs found themselves behind: Everton's Tony Cottee taking advantage of Gary Mabbutt's slip to rifle the ball home. Twelve more minutes had elapsed before the next goal which was an equaliser for Tottenham: Vinny Samways' incisive pass to Paul Stewart allowed Paul Stewart to advance into the box before his shot was saved by Neville Southall but it fell to Gary Lineker who converted at the far post against his old club. There was to be no further scoring in the first half and the next goal proved to be the decider. It went to Tottenham following a lightening counter attack. This time Lineker turner provider for Stewart who shot past Southall for 2-1 and victory.
The season proved to be something of a challenge for Spurs who found themselves bottom of the table in October despite investing heavily in the transfer market including £2 Million spent on Paul Gascoigne. Gazza would soon be elevated in the nation's consciousness at the summer's World Cup in Italy. Spurs eventually recovered their League form to finish sixth in the table. Everton finished two places lower in eighth which was a disappointment given their quality and achievements of recent seasons including League titles in 1984/85 and 1986/87. Champions were Arsenal who won a dramatic final day decided against runners-up Liverpool at Anfield, The two sides had finished on equal points and had identical goal difference. It was the first and only time that the Football League title was decided on goals scored. Relegated from the top-flight that season were Middlesbrough, West Ham United and Newcastle United.
CRB Match No. 611
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