Everton 1 – 2 Liverpool
Everton looked to really Liverpool in the first-ever Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium today in a clash of huge significance in the race for Europe after Everton slipping down to 10th in the Premier League table after other results this weekend.
But it played out much as so many derbies before… the pre-match hype that we could beat them thrown back in our faces yet again by poor mistakes and a failure to take some half-decent chances.
Regent Road is packed to the walls with Blues welcoming the team coach in a blaze of blue flares amidst the wonderful spring sunshine on this hugely auspicious day for Everton and the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton are without Jack Grealish but Charly Alcaraz finally returns to the bench after his myster injury, while Liverpool say they are missing at least half-a-dozen first-team players.
David Moyes sticks with the same team that drew 2-2 at fellow European-chasers Brentford last weekend.
First Half
Everton kicked off with Dewsbury-Hall’s up and under conceding possession straight away. Most of the early play was down the Everton left, with the Blues getting the first free-kick Garner’s delivery headed out meekly by Tarkowski.
Some great work from Beto got the crowd going, Ndiaye trying to benefit, but Garner crossing in, and Beto a great header, saved well by Marmite. Beto was played in well by McNeil but slipped as he tried to pivot his giant frame.
Liverpool got the first corner, headed away very well at the near post by Beto. Gaan had his feet swept away from under him by Gravenberch but no yellow… no surprise.
A brilliant ball forward to Dewsbury-Hall saw the Everton player shoved to the ground by Roberston — no penalty… no surprise.
At least when Gana went down rather easily, a free-kick was given, Dewsbury-Hall, firing in a great delivery but Marm passed it behind for a corner only the offical flagged for offside and
Beto got away from Konate and had just to get it on target but his effort was utterly abysmal. What an absolute joke he can be! McNeil was next to wiggle through but the sting was taken out of his shot, and Liverpool came forward to win another corner. It was a good delivery, but Pickford watched it all the way.
Everton were standing off a little in midfield, Gakpo given space to unleash a shot that Tarkowski had to defelct behind for another Liverpool corner, Pickford palming it behind. From the other side Branthwaite masterfully headed it clear.
A poor foul by Van Dijk from behind taking out Gana caused great anger, especially to Pickford, who was stupidly booked for his troubles — no surprise.
More fruity Red Shite tackles drew ire when Szoboszlai went after Garner. The free-kick was reworked and McNeil curled in a good cross for Tarkowski. who was pushed as he headed it.. but no fould… no surprise.
It was worked around again after a throw-in, O’Brien advancing and crossing, the ball falling to Iliman Ndiaye who smashed it into the Liverpool net. But np less than five Everton players had been ambling back as the ball was played forward by Pickford and had not got back onside early in the move and it was ruled out for O’Brien being offside… no surprise.
It had really been all Everton p to this point but after a terrible pass backwards by McNeil, Gakpo’s pass sliced open the Everton defence that had been playing well, Salah all alone to fire past Pickford… You guessed it: no surprise.
The nasty pushes and shoves continued from the hated locals, with no sanction offered from Kavanagh. Everton got forward again but Ndiaye lost the ball far too easily.
Mykolenko’s cross was put behind for their first corner, Garner’s decent delivery headed clear. But it was worked back in and Beto contested the ball, Roberston going down as a coming together, and of course a free-kick to Liverpool… no surprise.
Ndiaye was sandbagged by three reds but their attack was repelled until Gakpo got forward and tried to curl one under the bar, tipped over by Pickford. The corner was cleared and Everton tried to advance again but just weren’t getting it together, the goal having knocked the stuffing out of them.
With 2 minutes of added time, it looked like Everton would need to seriously regroup if they were going to lift a glove to the visitors, with Isak free to fire a low shot at Pickford. Szoboszlai was next to have a pop, deflected high and into Pickford’s arms.
At the other end, McNeil couldn’t sort his feet out for a snapshot that bobbled wide to end a hugely anti-climactic half after 28 minutes of excellent football from Everton had seen them dominate the early going, but with no reward. For long-time derby sufferers… no surprise there.
Second Half
Liverpool restarted and slowed the game way down to frustrate the Blues efforts to turn this around. But Gana did force a turnover and Ndiaye should have done far better with his cross, which sailed over Beto.
O’Brien did well to stall Gakpo and win a free-kick. Everton tried to build but Dewsbury-Hall lost the ball. Ndiaye battled to retain possession but the rest of the tean had little idea how to penetrate the Liverpool defence and Branthwaite had to be quick to stop Gakpo get forwad.
Liverpool did get a free-kick that Mykolenko headed away. But from an inocuous move down the left, Dewsbury-Hall suddenly accelerated and put in a first-time cross that Beto (55′) converted perfectly at the near post under strong pressure from a red defender.
Mamardashvili collided with Beto in goalscoring the move (surely enough to have the Everton goal scrubbed out?) and he was stretchered off, replaced by Woodman.
Gravenberch had a snapshot that squirmed wide. McNeil got into some space but overhit his shot beyond the top corner. Liverpool got behind the Everton defence, Salah crossing to Gagpo in acres of space, Tarkowski heading clear off the line behind Pickford.
It was more open and end-to-end until Everton were flagged offside. Beto did brilliantly to hold onto the ball but Dewsbury-Hall overhit his deep cross straight to Woodman.
A poor defensive moment almost gifted Liverpool a second but it was rescued buy Branthwaite.
Ndiaye brought down a long punt forward, and drove in but shot from a tight angle straight at Wodman. At the other end, Robertson was allowed to stride forward and shoot across goal.
Ndiaye and McNeil battled for possession, Mykolenko with a long throw, then a cross, then another cross but Beto and Konate clashed heads. McNeil got the restart but the cross came to nothing. Beto went down again, suffering from the earlier knock. Slot made changes while Barry replaced Beto.
Some crazy lofted balls forward look to cause Liverpool trouble, one saw Dewsbury-Hall get around Konate who then floored him. But no penalty… no surprise. Dewsbury-Hall created more space for Ndiaye but Barry failed to anticipate the cross.
George came on and showed some nice skill in trapping a cross, but his delivery was flawed and Liverpool were given another chance to come forward. Gakpo fouled Branthwaite with impunity and returned the ball to Gravenberch who shot over. Branthwaite was struggling with his hamstring after that and went down in distress before ominously being stretched off, Keane on in his place.
The game had been disrupted by the stoppages and concentration was a problem, George unable to get around Szoboszlai as 11 minutes were added on. Could Everton refocus and get the winner?
Liverpool put together a couple of threatening moves, Szoboszlai winning a late corner. And who else but Van Dijk headed the winner unopposed. A shocking end to yet another horrible derby.
Play continued for sme more minutes, Garner the first player booked for a foul after all those from the dirty bastards who win again as usual… no surprise there, unfortunately.
Everton: Pickford [Y:22′], O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite (87′ Keane), Mykolenko, Gana, Garner, McNeil (80′ George), Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Beto (73′ Barry).
Subs: Travers, Patterson, Dibling, Alcaraz, Röhl, Iroegbunam.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili (58′ Woodman); Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai ; Salah, Wirtz (83′ Mac Allister), Gakpo (83′ Frimpong); Isak (72′ Ngumoha).
Subs: Pecsi, Kerkez, Chiesa, Nyoni.
Attendance: 52,585