The title of the post is a cliche in football. But in this case, it is a literal truth.

On November 12th, 1904, Everton were playing reigning champions Sheffield Wednesday. They were on the back of a 5-1 win over Nottingham Forest and 4 wins in 5 games, so morale was high at the club. Everton took the lead after a couple of minutes thanks to a goal from Sandy Young. Sheffield Wednesday equalised after 10 minutes after a goal from Harry Davis. Everton then scored 4 goals in 19 minutes after a brace from Jimmy Settle and goals from Harold Hardman and Walter Abbott. At half-time, Everton were leading 5-1 and 2 points were surely in the bag. Or so it seemed.

In the 63rd minute, Sheffield Wednesday shortened the deficit to 3 goals after a goal from James Stewart. Sheffield Wednesday were awarded a penalty after a foul from Everton captain William Balmer on George Simpson, however Billy Scott saved it but couldn’t keep hold of it. As he was about to grab the ball and Stewart was about to kick it, the two collided and the ball crept its way into the goal. However, there was controversy surrounding the goal as Everton believed it shouldn’t have stood as they claimed goalkeeper Billy Scott had possession of the ball and Stewart had fouled him. It was also reported that Stewart handled the ball before he scored. The referee ignored their protests and allowed the goal to stand. To make matters worse for Everton, Scott was hurt in the process with a shoulder injury. As football didn’t have substitutes then, it meant that Scott had to carry on or an outfield player had to take his place and Everton would be reduced to 10 men. Scott opted to carry on, but his struggle was evident as Sheffield Wednesday scored another goal to make it 5-3. Scott was in so much pain that he didn’t have any power at all to stop George Simpson from scoring. Scott realised enough was enough and he retired from the game injured and Walter Abbott took his place.

It was fairly quiet for the next 15 minutes. 7 minutes from full time, ten-men Everton were still leading 5-3. But the next minute, Sheffield Wednesday made it 5-4 thanks to a goal from Vivian Simpson. The comeback was nearly complete. However, there was some hope for Everton as a couple of minutes later, Sheffield Wednesday themselves were down to 10 men after Harry Davis was sent off for punching Harold Hardman. It is unknown what provoked the attack, but the two were said to have had a bit of an argument following an aerial duel between them.

The clock reached 90 minutes, but the game was not over as time was added on. 30 seconds were added on after Sandy Young unreasonably kicked the ball into the crowd. The referee saw it and added time to make up for the time that was lost. How costly could that kick be? The answer: very. In added time, Sheffield Wednesday won a free-kick, and in the very last second of the game, Bob Ferrier scored an unlikely equaliser after the free-kick was put into Everton’s box.

Full-time score: Sheffield Wednesday 5-5 Everton.

Everton’s poor defending and decision-making cost them dearly. The injured goalkeeper certainly didn’t help things either. It was a day for Everton players and fans to forget.