Everton strike back in row over Man United game

The timing of the match has been linked to crown trouble both during and afterwards. The time was chosen by the BBC, but Everton insist that the Police had the final say on when the match was played.

"The argument that we were pushing for a 5.30 kick-off for the TV fee is irrelevant." Said Everton's head of PR Ian Ross "We would still have got the same fee for a lunchtime kick-off or a Sunday game. Because of the nature of the match, it would have been screened at some time."