Everton v Middlesbrough 14-09-1996

[@munckymagic]

Gave the ball away in the end but Emerson at 1:25 he was unbelievable in that first month of the season

[@81chipper89]

He was, I was there that day I've always remembered how well he played. Everton fan.

[@munckymagic]

@@81chipper89that’s interesting to hear. Shame he didn’t keep it going after his head was turned by Barcelona interest

[@81chipper89]

@@munckymagic yeah, I still tell people about how much he impressed me all these years later. I was a season ticket holder at Goodison in the 90s so I saw the wave of foreign players arrive after the '94 World Cup. And Emerson was as good as anyone I saw at Goodison in that time period. I vaguely remember he seemed to go missing for a while then returned to the team but never recaptured that early season form. Amazing that Boro team got relegated, even with the points deduction.

[@munckymagic]

@@81chipper89 it was crazy the drop off in form. Part of Boro folklore that he looked like a world beater, press were drooling over him and he made Ince look like a schoolboy preseason. I remember being very envious you guys snapped up Kanchelskis ahead of us. And John Collins…

[@81chipper89]

@@munckymagic I remember how Andrei was linked with your lot in '95, I was sure he'd go there because of Bryan Robson but, thankfully, we got him in the end. He was awesome and is my all time favourite Everton player, along with Big Dunc. Obviously. What's going on with Boro this season? I put you on my acca when I picked the winners of each division, I backed it each way so I only needed you to finish in the top 4 but that doesn't look likely now. You seemed to be flying under Woodgate last season, have you had injuries or just inconsistent form?