The day began with a peaceful protest. From the Royal Oak Pub at 1130am, on the corner of County Road, a couple of thousand fans marched up Spellow Lane and circled Goodison Park. The aim, once again, was to vent their disenchantment about Everton’s Board of Directors.
Farhad Moshiri, the major shareholder, Chairman Bill Kenwright and Denise Barrett-Baxendale, the Chief Executive, were fixed firmly in the firing line, with banners urging them to “get out of our club” – none of those named were there to see it, having elected to stay away for Arsenal’s visit.