It’s probably one of, if not the most important, moments for Everton in recent times. The ill-fated Champions League qualifiers against Villarreal in the August of 2005 were a gateway for the Blues to cash in on some of the riches of Europe’s top table. As it was, a horrendous refereeing decision put that dream out of reach, and potentially changed Everton’s fortunes forever.
After nearly being relegated and losing Wayne Rooney in 2004, Everton responded in a way that nobody could ever have envisaged, finishing in a remarkable 4th place and earning themselves a two-legged qualifier for the following season’s Champions League.
Manuel Pelligrini’s Villarreal side were probably the hardest opponents that the Blues could have drawn. David Moyes’ underdogs also had the added disadvantage of playing at home first, putting added pressure on to get a result under the lights at Goodison.
Everton 1 – 2 Villlarreal, 9th August 2005, Goodison Park
Everton started the first leg at Goodison brightly, closing down the Spaniards, refusing to allow them any time on the ball. The La Liga side soon found a way through though in the 27th minute, with Marcos Senna finding Luciano Figueroa who finished past Nigel Martyn.
Everton fought back and were level on 43 minutes, when James Beattie prodded the ball past the Villarreal ‘keeper Mariano Barbosa at the second attempt. The jubilation was short-lived, though, as Josico’s diving header put the Yellow Submarines back in front and in control of the tie just before the break.
The Blues failed to find a response in the second half and faced an uphill task for the return leg in Spain.
Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Pistone (McFadden 80), Cahill, Arteta, Neville, Davies, Kilbane (Ferguson 62), Beattie (Bent 63).
Villarreal: Barbosa, Rodriguez, Quique Alvarez, Javi Venta, Arruabarrena, Riquelme, Josico, Senna, Sorin (Pena 89), Forlan (Guayre 85), Figueroa (Tacchinardi 65).
Villarreal 2 – 1 Everton (4-2 agg), 24th August 2005, El Madrigal
Everton had a great chance to go ahead early in the first half, but Tim Cahill couldn’t convert Duncan Ferguson’s flick on, instead heading it straight at the keeper from 6 yards out. The home side responded by going ahead in the 20th minute, with Juan Pablo Sorin’s shot deflecting off David Weir and past Martyn.
The tie looked to be as good as over, but Mikel Arteta curled in a sublime free-kick in the 69th minute to give the Blues hope.
And then it came. Arteta floated in a corner, to which Ferguson rose highest to power home, only for it, astonishingly, to be ruled out. Collina, then regarded as the best referee in the world, appeared to cite an infringement by Marcus Bent as the reason, but replays clearly showed it was Bent himself who was being fouled. It was a painful blow, and with Everton still reeling, Villarreal hit them on the counter and Diego Forlan put the tie beyond doubt.
Villarreal: Barbosa, Rodriguez, Arruabarrena, Forlan, Josico, Riquelme, Figueroa (Tacchinardi 81), Sorin, Quique Alvarez, Javi Venta (Kromkamp 14), Senna.
Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Neville, Arteta, Davies (McFadden 79), Cahill, Kilbane (Osman 56), Bent, Ferguson.
Villarreal actually went on to reach the semi-finals that year, which puts Everton’s task and subsequent performances into some perspective. Of course, had Ferguson’s goal been allowed, it would only have meant extra-time and absolutely no guarantee of the Blues progressing. But to be robbed of the chance in such a blatant way was a cruel blow.
Conspiracy theories were rife, and weren’t helped by Collina retiring straight after. With Liverpool winning the Champions League the previous season but failing to finish in a qualification spot in the Premier League, UEFA faced an unusual situation and the prospect of 5 English clubs in the group stages, having allowed Liverpool entry to defend their trophy. Some have argued the easiest way to prevent such a large English presence in the competition was to make sure “plucky little Everton” didn’t get the chance to play the group stages.
Collina has sinced apologised for the incident, admitting he made a “mistake”, but that will always be of little consolation for the fans who saw their team robbed of the chance of playing in Europe’s premier competition, and a potentially tens of millions into the Goodison coffers.
The 05-06 season quickly became a write-off for Everton. The second bite of the European cherry ended in a 5-2 aggregate drubbing at the hands of Dinamo Bucharest in the UEFA Cup, and the Blues only found their league form after the new year, managing to finish 11th.
Nearly 10 years on, and the initial heart-wrenching frustration has long since waned, but the sense of disappointment will always be there. It’s why Villarreal, as the opponents for Duncan Ferguson’s overdue testimonial, will carry extra poignancy, and why any game against the Yellow Submarines will never be just a friendly.
