On this day: Kevin Campbell brace sinks Coventry City

It would be fairly safe to say that without the March addition of Kevin Campbell, Everton would have been relegated from the Premier League during the 1998-99 season.

The former England Under-21 international had arrived at Goodison Park in the absence of club legend Duncan Ferguson, who had not been properly replaced since his winter move to Newcastle United.

However, by the end of the campaign, Campbell's form had ensured that he would be looked upon almost as favourably as the Scot by the Everton faithful.

He scored nine goals in eight starts, the first two of which were scored when Coventry City made the trip to Merseyside 16 years ago today.

With the Toffees in the relegation zone, there were plenty of nerves among the home supporters, which were not eased by a slow start from their side.

Coventry failed to capitalise, though, and they were duly punished in the 28th minute as the man on loan from Turkish club Trabzonspor opened his goalscoring account.

He beat visiting defender Paul Williams to Nick Barmby's through pass, before showing good composure to round goalkeeper Magnus Hedman and roll the ball into an unguarded net.

It was a goal that seemed to lift the pressure off the Everton team, who started to play with more freedom.

Francis Jeffers, Marco Materazzi and Campbell all had opportunities to double the advantage after the restart, but a combination of Hedman and wayward finishing kept Coventry in the game.

The visitors then received a further boost five minutes from time when Everton defender Materazzi was handed a second yellow card for a foul on Darren Huckerby.

But in the 88th minute, Campbell's second goal of the contest secured three vital points for Walter Smith's men.

Barmby was again the creator, crossing towards the near post, where Campbell was waiting to prod the ball beyond Hedman's reach.

Speaking after the final whistle, Smith said: "The main thing was the win and we deserved it for our first-half performance. It was a bit tense at the end but we're delighted to get the three points."

Angry Coventry boss Gordon Strachan added: "There's no point in us turning up if we're going to play like that. We wasted the first 45 minutes and although we improved in the second half Everton were worthy winners."

EVERTON: Myhre; Weir, Short, Watson, Materazzi, Ball; Gemmill, Dacourt, Barmby; Jeffers (Grant), Campbell

COVENTRY: Hedman; Shaw, Breen, Williams, Burrows; Telfer (Aloisi), McAllister, Boateng, Soltvedt; Huckerby, Whelan