Speed bagged a hat-trick as Everton ran out comfortable winners at Goodison Park.
When Southampton travelled to Goodison Park for a game on November 16th 1996, they knew that they were about to face an Everton side that were unbeaten in their last five Premiership games. Nevertheless, they would have never expected what would transpire on that afternoon 20 years ago today.
Joe Royle’s men warmed up for the upcoming Merseyside derby by humiliating the Saints 7-1, with Gary Speed bagging a hat-trick.
Graham Stuart and Gary Speed celebrate Everton’s first
It was Graham Stuart who opened the scoring however, as he tapped in from a couple of yards for the home side. Just 21 minutes after the opener, it would be 5-0 to the Toffees.
Andrei Kanchelskis – who went on to join the south coast side in 2002 – showed some composure to double the lead before Speed swiftly added two more shortly after the half-hour mark.
Kanchelskis adds Everton’s second against Southampton
The Russian would make it five 10 minutes before the break. But it was Southampton that would have the final say of the half as Egil Ostenstad spoilt Everton’s hopes of keeping a clean sheet.
With the score 5-1 at half-time, Everton switched their attention to their next game as Neville Southall was replaced by Paul Gerrard in goal. The fact that the Welshman played against Liverpool suggests no injury motivated the change.
Speed, Barmby and Kanchelskis celebrate another Everton goal
The second-half saw the Toffees add two more goals as Nick Barmby scored from close range before Speed completed his treble with a header to complete the humiliation.
And two decades on, Ronald Koeman will be hoping that his players take some inspiration from that performance as they face the Saints at the end of this month.
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