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2 months ago
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England fans have hailed their semi-final victory over the Netherlands as revenge for former Three Lions boss Graham Taylor.
Gareth Southgate's side reached the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday in dramatic fashion after Ollie Watkins' 90th minute strike secured the victory, with Harry Kane earlier cancelling out Xavi Simons' first half opener.
It was the third successive knockout game at the tournament that England have won following substantial drama, with the Three Lions defeating Slovakia in extra time in the last-16, before they beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-final.
Former England boss Taylor, who tragically passed away in 2017, enjoyed a hugely successful managerial career for the likes of Watford, Aston Villa and Lincoln City.
However, he endured a difficult time in charge of the Three Lions, with Taylor resigning in 1993 after he failed to guide the national team to the 1994 World Cup.
England fans have claimed their win over the Netherlands was revenge for Graham Taylor
Taylor enjoyed a successful coaching career but resigned as England boss after a controversial loss to the Netherlands which led to the Three Lions failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup
Ronald Koeman was only booked despite dragging David Platt down when he was through on goal, before the current Dutch boss then opened the scoring as the Netherlands won 2-0
That was after England lost a crunch qualifier against the Netherlands, which came amid a slew of contentious refereeing calls.
This included current Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, a player back in those days, somehow avoiding a red card despite dragging David Platt down when he was through on goal.
Koeman then opened the scoring with a free kick, before Dennis Bergkamp made it 2-0 despite using his arm to control the ball.
Taylor was apoplectic on the touchline as he was left berating officials, knowing his fate was soon to be sealed.
As serialised on the 'An Impossible Job' documentary, he had told the fourth official: 'You see, at the end of the day, I get the sack,' before he added to the linseman: 'I'm just saying to your colleague, the referee has got me the sack. Thank him ever so much for that, won't you?'
And, following England's dramatic win on Wednesday, which came after the Three Lions were awarded a contentious penalty when Denzel Dumfries was adjudged to have fouled Kane, fans were quick to make a nod towards the hugely popular Taylor, which was even more pertinent given Villa star Watkins scored the winner.
One supporter said: 'Like to think somewhere Graham Taylor's having a wine and saying revenge is a dish best served cold.'
Another added: 'Thinking of Graham Taylor tonight. A warm, flawed man who deserves to be enshrined in legend. What goes around comes around.'
'That was for Graham Taylor,' another wrote, while a further fan said: 'I hope Graham Taylor is looking down at the result and thinking "Do I like that".'
Not only was Graham Taylor trending yesterday, but the BBC also did this wonderful little tribute to him after their highlights late last night - just wait for that smile at the end.
A ghost so satisfactorily laid to rest.
Now go and win it lads. ❤️🏴 pic.twitter.com/neakvFVZRV
England fans hailed the former Three Lions boss and claimed Wednesday's victory was for him
Meanwhile, others joined in on the sense of revenge as a further supporter quipped: 'Never a penalty. But Koeman on Platt was a red. RIP Graham Taylor. Villa man scored the winner.'
'They were better than us second half,' another said. 'Good. Remember Rotterdam 1993? How does it feel to be robbed, Koeman? That one's for Graham Taylor.'
A final supporter opened up on the cathartic experience of finally getting revenge for that fateful evening 21 years ago, with a nod to what became Taylor's personal catchphrase: 'Do I not like that'.
'I may have finally got over Rotterdam 93,' they said. 'K is for Karma, K is for Koeman. Revenge at last. Graham Taylor... I hope you're smiling now. Do I like that.'
English (US)