Leighton Baines has scored on 30 April on two separate occasions in recent years… and earned Everton four points into the bargain...
The Blues hadn’t won in seven Premier League games when Bournemouth came to Goodison Park ON THIS DAY in 2016, and during that time had also suffered late FA Cup semi-final heartache against Manchester United at Wembley.
But Tom Cleverley gave Roberto Martinez's Blues the perfect start against the Cherries with an excellent finish from the edge of the box after just seven minutes.
The lead didn’t last long, though, and shortly after, Callum Wilson crossed the ball into the box for Marc Pugh to turn past Tim Howard.
Nerves were jangling at Goodison but there was redemption in the shape of Baines in the 64th minute. Aaron Lennon provided the cross and the Blues left-back supplied a close-range finish.
Just before the end of the game, Kieran Dowell came off the bench for his Premier League debut, replacing Ross Barkley as Everton held on for a much-needed 2-1 win.
Baines had also scored ON THIS DAY five years earlier… but this time Martinez was in the opposition dugout.
Everton were playing relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic on 30 April 2011 and needed a Baines penalty to earn a 1-1 draw.
The Latics took the lead in the 21st minute. Future Blue James McCarthy played the ball to Charles N’Zogbia and, even though he was forced away from goal, the Frenchman had the presence of mind to curl the ball over Howard and into the net.
Nine minutes before the break, N’Zogbia turned villain when he fouled Leon Osman inside the box. Referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot but Ali Al-Habsi saved Mikel Arteta’s kick.
The second penalty of the match came in the 78th minute when Hugo Rodallega handled the ball from an Everton corner and this time Baines made absolutely no mistake against his former club.
Everton were at Wembley Stadium ON THIS DAY in 1989 for the final of the Simod Cup.
The competition wasn’t popular with supporters and only 49,000 attended the final against Nottingham Forest, but those who made the effort saw a seven-goal outcome.
Colin Harvey’s Blues took an early lead through Tony Cottee, but Forest drew level when Gary Parker netted in the 37th minute.
Four minutes into the second period, Graeme Sharp restored the advantage, but Parker was at it again midway through the half with another leveller.
With no further goals, the contest went into extra-time and Forest took the lead for the first time through Lee Chapman in the 92nd minute.
Cottee grabbed his second goal of the game to drag Everton level but Chapman became the third player of the match to score a brace when he converted the winner three minutes from the end of the added 30.
