Former Everton players’ goal highlights
By Gary Pearson
Our friends, @evertonfcpics, have supplied us with some exquisite goal highlight packages from former Everton players, including Duncan Ferguson, Wayne Rooney, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Kevin Campbell and Andy Johnson.
Grab a coffee and a cinnamon roll, take a seat and enjoy the ride. Some of these goals feel like they were scored yesterday, while others a lifetime ago. Either way, I’m sure you’ll love every minute of these highlight packages from former Everton greats.
Kevin Campbell, the quintessential Everton poacher
This man had an innate knack for goal. Kevin Campbell was as positionally good as any Everton forward. He knew where to be and when to be there, often finding a seam between defenders and jumping on most opportunities. Campbell, who scored 45 goals in 145 games for Everton between 1999-2005, was absolutely lethal in front of goal.
He had a delicate touch yet pounded the ball with fury, executing his chances with consummate ease. Campbell provided Toffees’ faithful with numerous unforgettable moments and could score from almost anywhere in every possible situation. Dominant in the air, Campbell also had the ability to score with both feet from range. He was a footballer of the highest order.
Andrei Kanchelskis – the marauding genius
Andrei Kanchelskis played in 52 games for Everton. And what an impact the creative winger had in his somewhat short stint with the Toffees. The ingenuitive genius was a pleasure to watch. He scored 20 goals, many of the which may leave you short of breath. Kanchelskis scored in 38 percent of the games he played for the Blues, a quite remarkable goal return.
Personally, I can’t get enough of his goals against Blackburn.
Wayne Rooney looks better in blue
Some speculation suggests that Wayne Rooney might return to Goodison as a Toffee for his last few years. I think there’s more chance of Leicester winning the Premier League again, but let’s enjoy Rooney’s goal contribution when he did don the beautiful blue from 2002-2004. Rooney scored 15 goals in his 67 Toffees appearances, maybe none better than his wonder strike away to Arsenal.
It feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?
Duncan Ferguson – the imperious Scotsman
Duncan Ferguson, or Big Dunc as he was more commonly know, will go down as one of the most influential Everton players of the generation. Big Dunc was a Blue through and through. He devoted more than half of his playing career to Everton and is still coveted and revered by Toffees’ supporters across the world.
Powerful and imperious, Ferguson bossed proceedings on the pitch. He caused opposing defenses fits and never backed down from a challenge. The Scottish striker was a boisterous leader both on and off the pitch, further lionized for his unbridled passion.
Ferguson enjoyed two lengthy, fruitful stints – 1994 to 1998 and 2000 to 2006 – with Everton and scored 74 goals as a Toffee in 239 appearances. The 44-year-old is third on Everton’s all-time goal scoring chart, trailing only Kevin Sheedy and Joe Royle.
Without further ado, let’s have a look at all of Big Dunc’s Everton goals.
Next: Koeman shows F2Freestylers how to hit perfect free kick
Everton’s dominating Yak
Yakubu Aiyegbeni will forever be remembered for his goal-scoring heroics during the four seasons he played for Everton (2007-2011). He was a dominant force and scored his 100th goal in English football against West Brom as a Toffee during the 2007-2008 season.
The “Yak”, as he was affectionately known, notched 25 goals in 82 Everton appearances. Watching these highlights almost makes me feel a bit of sympathy for opposing defenses. The key word is almost. What a beast!
Who is your favorite player and do you have a favorite goal from the above highlight packages? And is there a player you’d like us to feature in next week’s segment? We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.