Everton Football Club, based in Liverpool, currently competes in the Premier League, England’s top football division. Since its founding in 1888, Everton has participated in the league for 121 seasons, missing only four.
This makes it one of the longest-standing clubs in English football history, after Arsenal. With nine league titles, five FA Cups, one European Cup winner, and nine Charity Shields. Plus securing third place in all-time points rankings.
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Who Is Everton’s Biggest Rivalry?
1. Liverpool F.C.
Everton’s main rival is Liverpool football club with 61% of Everton fans voting Liverpool. They are both based In Liverpool, England. This Intense rivalry is known as the Merseyside derby and is one of the longest-running top-flight derbies in England, dating back to October 1894.
The derby is fueled by the proximity of the teams’ home grounds, situated less than a mile apart across Stanley Park. Initially dubbed the “friendly derby” due to shared support among families in the city, the rivalry has evolved, intensifying on and off the field since the mid-1980s.
Despite this, violence between supporters in Liverpool is rare. Instead, moments of solidarity have emerged, such as fans rallying together after tragedies like the Hillsborough and Heysel Stadium disasters. The rivalry’s origins trace back to the late 19th century when a split occurred between club directors, leading to the creation of Liverpool FC.
However, both clubs have seen periods of success and dominance in English football. Historically, Everton experienced a revival in the early 1980s under manager Howard Kendall, challenging Liverpool’s dominance. Notable matches include FA Cup and League Cup finals where both teams battled fiercely.
In recent decades, Liverpool has often finished above Everton in the league standings, but the derby remains fiercely contested. Memorable moments include stunning goals, controversial decisions, and unexpected outcomes. While Liverpool has had the upper hand in recent years, Everton’s occasional victories add to the unpredictability of the rivalry.
2. Manchester United
Everton’s most significant football rivalry is undeniably with Manchester United, a historic and fiercely contested battle that has spanned decades. Originating in the 1960s, this rivalry is soaked in tradition and has seen countless memorable clashes between the two sides.
One of the best moments in this rivalry occurred during two FA Cup finals, both of which ended in surprising outcomes. In 1985, a ten-man Manchester United squad pulled off a remarkable upset by defeating Everton 1-0.
This victory came as a shock to Everton, who had recently been crowned League and European Cup Winners’ Cup champions. A decade later, in 1995, Everton exacted revenge, defeating a dominant Manchester United side 1-0.
These FA Cup finals display the intensity of the Everton-Manchester United rivalry. Beyond the pitch, this rivalry has occasionally been marred by crowd trouble.
The 2005 FA Cup match at Goodison Park was a particularly troubling incident, with Merseyside Police describing it as the “worst football-related violence seen in Liverpool.”
Despite the occasional off-field incidents, matches between Everton and Manchester United have continued to delight fans with their drama and excitement.
The Everton-Manchester United rivalry is not merely about the competition on the pitch; it symbolizes the rich history and pride associated with each club.
As two of the most storied and successful clubs in English football, their clashes carry immense significance and produce strong emotions among fans.
Matches between Everton and Manchester United are always eagerly awaited and hotly contested, making this rivalry one of the most exciting in the game.
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3. Manchester City
One of Everton’s most enduring and fiercely contested rivalries is with Manchester City. This rivalry stretches back to the late 1920s and early 1930s, marking one of the earliest examples of intense competition between the two cities.
It was during this period that a heated rivalry arose, fueled by a series of memorable encounters between Everton and Manchester City. A noteworthy turning point in this rivalry came with the transfer of Tommy Johnson, Manchester City’s then-all-time leading goalscorer, to Everton.
Johnson’s move to Everton saw him play an important role in their success, contributing to their triumph in the 1933 FA Cup Final against Manchester City. This transfer worsened tensions between the two clubs and added intensity to their meetings on the pitch.
In terms of head-to-head statistics, Manchester City has historically held the upper hand over Everton. They have emerged victorious in league fixtures against Everton on 73 occasions, making Everton one of the most frequently defeated teams by City in league history.
With 180 meetings between the two clubs, Manchester City’s dominance in these encounters underscores the competitive nature of their rivalry. Despite Everton’s history of defeats against Manchester City, the rivalry between the two clubs remains as fierce and passionate as ever.
Matches between Everton and Manchester City are anticipated by fans, with both sets of supporters bringing real energy to the stadiums whenever the teams face off. Aside from the results on the field, the Everton vs. Manchester City rivalry is deeply ingrained in the cultural identities of both cities.
4. Chelsea F.C.
Another of Everton’s biggest rivals is Chelsea F.C. with 24% of fans voting the Blues in the top 5. This rivalry dates back over a century to when both teams first clashed on October 26, 1907. Since then, their meetings have been intense competition and memorable moments.
Over the years, Everton and Chelsea have faced each other numerous times in different competitions, including the League Division One, FA Cup, League Cup, and Premier League.
Their matches have been described by exciting displays of skill and determination, with neither team willing to back down easily. One of the most notable aspects of this rivalry is the close competition between the two sides.
Both teams have enjoyed periods of success, leading to fiercely contested matches. Regardless of the competitiveness on the pitch, there is also mutual respect between the clubs and their supporters. Fans from both sides share a passion for their teams and the game of football.
In recent years, Everton has enjoyed some memorable victories over Chelsea, including a 2-0 win on December 10, 2023, in the Premier League. These victories fuel the intensity of the rivalry and keep the fans waiting for the next encounter between these two historic clubs.
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5. Newcastle United
This intense matchup has been brewing since way back in 1898 when the two teams first clashed on the field. They’ve faced off 170 times, creating a storied history filled with highs and lows for both sides.
Newcastle United initially held the upper hand, going unbeaten against Everton in six consecutive matches from 1900 to 1903. However, Everton managed to turn the tide, securing five consecutive wins between 1913 and 1920.
The rivalry included a remarkable 8-1 victory for Everton in 1931, countered by Newcastle’s dominant 8-2 win in 1959. Everton dominated From the late 1970s to the late 1980s, leaving Newcastle winless in 13 consecutive matches.
Nevertheless, Newcastle didn’t back down, clinching victory in nine out of 12 fixtures, including a historic 1-0 win in their first Premier League encounter.
One particularly exciting meeting was the 3rd round League Cup match where Everton emerged victorious after a tense penalty shootout, following a 2-2 draw in regular time.
The rivalry is also seen in individual brilliance, such as Alan Shearer’s unforgettable volley in 2002, which he considered one of the best goals of his career.
This spectacular strike helped Newcastle secure a crucial victory over Everton. Despite the ups and downs, the rivalry between Everton and Newcastle United remains as fierce as ever.
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