royal blue mersey 
24-04-2024 23:56
24-04-2024 23:56
Everton 2-0 Liverpool: Match Report & Instant Reaction | Blues shred Reds title hopes
After the uplifting victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Everton were hoping that the momentum they had built could be the fuel needed to overcome their neighbours from across Stanley Park. This was the 244th meeting between the two sides in all competitions; Liverpool had 99 victories, while there had been 77 draws and 67 wins for Everton.
Team News
Finding a player to lead the line was a challenge for the Toffees. Everton assessed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who came off with a minor injury against Nottingham Forest last Sunday and thankfully he was deemed fit to start. The team is without Beto who must miss two games to meet the requirement of head injury protocols. Seamus Coleman was back in training but wasn’t yet ready to be involved. Everton made two changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest. Ashley Young was replaced at right-back by Ben Godfrey, while James Garner came in for Andre Gomes. Amadou Onana continued on the bench. Liverpool’s Diogo Jota was unavailable after sustaining an injury in the 3-1 victory against Fulham at the weekend. Jurgen Klopp shuffled the pack, making six changes to the side that beat Fulham. Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez returned to the starting line-up, along with Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konate.
Match Review
Andy Madley got the match underway and the Goodison crowd were in full voice for Jurgen Klopp’s last Merseyside Derby. Liverpool took no time to get on the ball and it looked like Everton were happy to let them control the ball. The first sight of goal fell to Everton after some nice buildup play on the right side but Doucoure’s shot was wide of the post. Luis Diaz then fizzed a ball that went straight through the Everton six yard box and Mykolenko was able to clear it to safety. A great challenge by Tarkowski led to a ball into the Liverpool box which was met by Calvert Lewin who was taken down by Alisson. A penalty and a yellow card but there was an offside on the play so the big call was overturned by VAR. A correct call. The Goodison cauldron was rocking and the fever pitch was peaking. The Toffees were almost undone by a lobbed ball over the top to Salah who laid it on a plate for Nunez only for Ben Godfrey to make a goal saving tackle. Ashley Young would not have gotten to that one! Everton were not backing down and another nice ball into the box from McNeil was met by Godfrey who was not able to get his header on target.
Jack Harrison was up for this one and his driving run resulted in a foul. The free kick went wide to Tarkowski who headed it back across the goal to Calvert Lewin who forced a brilliant save from Alisson. The high press from Everton was certainly creating issues for Liverpool. The visitors started to get more of the ball and had two quick corners in a row which were well defended by the Blues. Another free kick for Everton was delivered to the far post and was won again by Everton which was encouraging. Their 9th free kick was delivered into the box and the scramble that ensued saw Jarrad Branthwaite slide the ball under the sprawling Liverpool keeper. A VAR check was undertaken and this time he was deemed to be onside! A deserved lead to the Toffees and delight for Evertonians all over the world! Liverpool immediately got on the front foot. It was their 15th time going behind this season and the first time that Everton had scored first at Goodison since they won 2-0 under David Moyes 13 years ago. Liverpool were buzzing and Everton were being forced deeper. Darwin Nunez slipped behind the Everton back line and was one on one with Pickford but the Everton keeper made himself big and made a great save.
Virgil Van Dijk was the first in the referee’s book for dissent. Moments later, Mykolenko was on the ground and was in considerable pain. The Ukrainian was able to get himself off the pitch after rolling his ankle after landing on Mo Salah’s foot. It looked awful but he returned to the match. Pickford was on his game again when the Liverpool front three worked the ball to Diaz who was stopped point blank by Pickford. Seconds later Liverpool were in again but Mo Salah had two shots but neither troubled the Everton goal. Six minutes of added time was announced. Everton ventured forward but were not incisive as they had been earlier in the half. Liverpool were doing everything but scoring but Everton were standing firm. The whistle was blown and a perfect first half for the blue side of Merseyside. Very disappointing for Everton as Mykolenko was unable to continue which forced Dyche into bringing on Ashley Young. Evertonians he would make it to the end of the match without getting another red card as he did at Anfield. Liverpool were sent out early by Klopp and they stood waiting for Andy Madley to get the second half underway.
Virgil Van Dijk had the first chance when he met a cross but his header was easily handled by Pickford. Liverpool continued to control the ball and a dangerous ball from Robertson was nicely dealt with by Branthwaite. Liverpool were piling up the corners which was worrying. A lovely run by Doucoure on the counter attack ended with a feeble shot from Gueye but that was only matched by Salah’s shot moments later. Dwight McNeil showed them both how to do it when his shot was heading toward the corner of the net but Alisson was there. That was not true seconds later when another corner was delivered deep and it was met by Calvert Lewin who drove the ball down and into the corner of the Liverpool goal. “We don’t care what the red sh.te say, what the f*@! do we care....” The Goodison crowd was delirious and Klopp had seen enough as he prepared Elliott, Endo and Quansah to come on and change their fortunes. Everton were defending in numbers and they were getting chances on the counter attack. Deep corners by Everton continued to cause Liverpool difficulties as Branthwaite almost had his second.
The final quarter of the game arrived with Liverpool trying everything to break down the resolute Everton defending. Luis Diaz almost got a goal back when he cut inside and blasted the ball goalward only to have it rebound off the far post. Everton players were throwing themselves in front of everything.
As the final fifteen minutes arrived, Sean Dyche made his first tactical switch and brought off Gueye with Onana coming on to take his place. The little midfielder received a rousing response for his excellent match. Liverpool had 77% of the possession but there was no end product. Salah was wide open on the penalty spot and managed to put the ball into the upper Park End! A couple of minutes later Alexander Arnold almost put it out of the Park End over the roof!
Liverpool were fading and it gave Everton the chance to get more on the ball. Some nice footwork from Garner forced Endo into a foul on the edge of the box. Young’s effort was awful but it did not diminish the Spirit of the Blues that was being sung with passion by the Evertonians.
The final minute arrived and it was Pickford again who denied Harvey Elliott who’s shot was tipped over by the England number one. Five minutes of extra time was announced and Calvert Lewin was withdrawn to rapturous applause for Chermiti. The time ticked away and there was a noise like no other as the whistle was blown to give Everton their first home Derby win in 13 1⁄2 years! Men of the Match: Calvert Lewin and Tarkwaite - This was a team effort like no other. To give it to anyone would be unfair but the work by DCL up front and the coordinated effort at the back of our dynamic duo was from where the leadership flowed. So great to see Calvert Lewin giving his shirt to the young supporter who sang The Spirit of the Blues with passion.
Instant Reaction
There are games that we would have targeted where points could be more probable. This was not one of them. Liverpool had lost just one of their last 26 Premier League games against Everton (W12 D13), winning four of the last five and keeping a clean sheet in the last four so getting anything was unlikely which is why this was the sweetest of victories. We get closer to safety and simultaneously douse the chances of Liverpool winning the league. A great night that will be remembered for a very long time! This was the match that I should have seen had there not been a rescheduling in March. I was there in spirit and Evertonians around the world can smile until we do this again next season!
Jordan Pickford denied Liverpool point blank on several occasions and he seems to raise his game when the game is a big one and this was one of them. It could be argued that the Liverpool players were poor in their finishing but the sheer number of point blank stops that our keeper made was another reminder of why he is England’s number one.
It was a little surprising that Jurgen Klopp did not adjust how his team defended free kicks and corners that were delivered into the box. They struggled in the first half and nothing changed at half time which led to the goal from Calvert Lewin. A great game plan from Dyche although I wonder where this plan has been over the last few months after we had so much success in the early part of the season. However, thank you Jurgen for giving up!
How Quansah did not get a red card for his challenge on Doucoure I do not know. Perhaps Mark Clattenburg can write a letter to the Daily Mail for us! It was a scissor tackle and he was high. It was not even given as a foul! The VAR guy probably supports someone!!!!!!!!!!
Team News
Finding a player to lead the line was a challenge for the Toffees. Everton assessed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who came off with a minor injury against Nottingham Forest last Sunday and thankfully he was deemed fit to start. The team is without Beto who must miss two games to meet the requirement of head injury protocols. Seamus Coleman was back in training but wasn’t yet ready to be involved. Everton made two changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest. Ashley Young was replaced at right-back by Ben Godfrey, while James Garner came in for Andre Gomes. Amadou Onana continued on the bench. Liverpool’s Diogo Jota was unavailable after sustaining an injury in the 3-1 victory against Fulham at the weekend. Jurgen Klopp shuffled the pack, making six changes to the side that beat Fulham. Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez returned to the starting line-up, along with Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konate.
Match Review
Andy Madley got the match underway and the Goodison crowd were in full voice for Jurgen Klopp’s last Merseyside Derby. Liverpool took no time to get on the ball and it looked like Everton were happy to let them control the ball. The first sight of goal fell to Everton after some nice buildup play on the right side but Doucoure’s shot was wide of the post. Luis Diaz then fizzed a ball that went straight through the Everton six yard box and Mykolenko was able to clear it to safety. A great challenge by Tarkowski led to a ball into the Liverpool box which was met by Calvert Lewin who was taken down by Alisson. A penalty and a yellow card but there was an offside on the play so the big call was overturned by VAR. A correct call. The Goodison cauldron was rocking and the fever pitch was peaking. The Toffees were almost undone by a lobbed ball over the top to Salah who laid it on a plate for Nunez only for Ben Godfrey to make a goal saving tackle. Ashley Young would not have gotten to that one! Everton were not backing down and another nice ball into the box from McNeil was met by Godfrey who was not able to get his header on target.
Jack Harrison was up for this one and his driving run resulted in a foul. The free kick went wide to Tarkowski who headed it back across the goal to Calvert Lewin who forced a brilliant save from Alisson. The high press from Everton was certainly creating issues for Liverpool. The visitors started to get more of the ball and had two quick corners in a row which were well defended by the Blues. Another free kick for Everton was delivered to the far post and was won again by Everton which was encouraging. Their 9th free kick was delivered into the box and the scramble that ensued saw Jarrad Branthwaite slide the ball under the sprawling Liverpool keeper. A VAR check was undertaken and this time he was deemed to be onside! A deserved lead to the Toffees and delight for Evertonians all over the world! Liverpool immediately got on the front foot. It was their 15th time going behind this season and the first time that Everton had scored first at Goodison since they won 2-0 under David Moyes 13 years ago. Liverpool were buzzing and Everton were being forced deeper. Darwin Nunez slipped behind the Everton back line and was one on one with Pickford but the Everton keeper made himself big and made a great save.
Virgil Van Dijk was the first in the referee’s book for dissent. Moments later, Mykolenko was on the ground and was in considerable pain. The Ukrainian was able to get himself off the pitch after rolling his ankle after landing on Mo Salah’s foot. It looked awful but he returned to the match. Pickford was on his game again when the Liverpool front three worked the ball to Diaz who was stopped point blank by Pickford. Seconds later Liverpool were in again but Mo Salah had two shots but neither troubled the Everton goal. Six minutes of added time was announced. Everton ventured forward but were not incisive as they had been earlier in the half. Liverpool were doing everything but scoring but Everton were standing firm. The whistle was blown and a perfect first half for the blue side of Merseyside. Very disappointing for Everton as Mykolenko was unable to continue which forced Dyche into bringing on Ashley Young. Evertonians he would make it to the end of the match without getting another red card as he did at Anfield. Liverpool were sent out early by Klopp and they stood waiting for Andy Madley to get the second half underway.
Virgil Van Dijk had the first chance when he met a cross but his header was easily handled by Pickford. Liverpool continued to control the ball and a dangerous ball from Robertson was nicely dealt with by Branthwaite. Liverpool were piling up the corners which was worrying. A lovely run by Doucoure on the counter attack ended with a feeble shot from Gueye but that was only matched by Salah’s shot moments later. Dwight McNeil showed them both how to do it when his shot was heading toward the corner of the net but Alisson was there. That was not true seconds later when another corner was delivered deep and it was met by Calvert Lewin who drove the ball down and into the corner of the Liverpool goal. “We don’t care what the red sh.te say, what the f*@! do we care....” The Goodison crowd was delirious and Klopp had seen enough as he prepared Elliott, Endo and Quansah to come on and change their fortunes. Everton were defending in numbers and they were getting chances on the counter attack. Deep corners by Everton continued to cause Liverpool difficulties as Branthwaite almost had his second.
The final quarter of the game arrived with Liverpool trying everything to break down the resolute Everton defending. Luis Diaz almost got a goal back when he cut inside and blasted the ball goalward only to have it rebound off the far post. Everton players were throwing themselves in front of everything.
As the final fifteen minutes arrived, Sean Dyche made his first tactical switch and brought off Gueye with Onana coming on to take his place. The little midfielder received a rousing response for his excellent match. Liverpool had 77% of the possession but there was no end product. Salah was wide open on the penalty spot and managed to put the ball into the upper Park End! A couple of minutes later Alexander Arnold almost put it out of the Park End over the roof!
Liverpool were fading and it gave Everton the chance to get more on the ball. Some nice footwork from Garner forced Endo into a foul on the edge of the box. Young’s effort was awful but it did not diminish the Spirit of the Blues that was being sung with passion by the Evertonians.
The final minute arrived and it was Pickford again who denied Harvey Elliott who’s shot was tipped over by the England number one. Five minutes of extra time was announced and Calvert Lewin was withdrawn to rapturous applause for Chermiti. The time ticked away and there was a noise like no other as the whistle was blown to give Everton their first home Derby win in 13 1⁄2 years! Men of the Match: Calvert Lewin and Tarkwaite - This was a team effort like no other. To give it to anyone would be unfair but the work by DCL up front and the coordinated effort at the back of our dynamic duo was from where the leadership flowed. So great to see Calvert Lewin giving his shirt to the young supporter who sang The Spirit of the Blues with passion.
Instant Reaction
There are games that we would have targeted where points could be more probable. This was not one of them. Liverpool had lost just one of their last 26 Premier League games against Everton (W12 D13), winning four of the last five and keeping a clean sheet in the last four so getting anything was unlikely which is why this was the sweetest of victories. We get closer to safety and simultaneously douse the chances of Liverpool winning the league. A great night that will be remembered for a very long time! This was the match that I should have seen had there not been a rescheduling in March. I was there in spirit and Evertonians around the world can smile until we do this again next season!
Jordan Pickford denied Liverpool point blank on several occasions and he seems to raise his game when the game is a big one and this was one of them. It could be argued that the Liverpool players were poor in their finishing but the sheer number of point blank stops that our keeper made was another reminder of why he is England’s number one.
It was a little surprising that Jurgen Klopp did not adjust how his team defended free kicks and corners that were delivered into the box. They struggled in the first half and nothing changed at half time which led to the goal from Calvert Lewin. A great game plan from Dyche although I wonder where this plan has been over the last few months after we had so much success in the early part of the season. However, thank you Jurgen for giving up!
How Quansah did not get a red card for his challenge on Doucoure I do not know. Perhaps Mark Clattenburg can write a letter to the Daily Mail for us! It was a scissor tackle and he was high. It was not even given as a foul! The VAR guy probably supports someone!!!!!!!!!!