Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Everton a huge 2-0 victory over rivals Liverpool in the Merseyside derby in front of a raucous Goodison Park. The result propels Sean Dyche’s side even further away from the relegation zone. With four games to go they are eight points clear of Luton Town. At the other end of the table it is a hammer blow for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Everton took a giant step towards Premier League survival and dealt neighbours Liverpool’s title hopes a near fatal blow with a deserved 2-0 victory at Goodison Park.
The Toffees saw an early penalty award overturned by VAR but took the lead on 27 minutes when Jarrad Branthwaite squeezed a shot underneath Alisson and in off the post after a comedy of errors in the visiting defence.
Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz all blew big chances as the Reds’ recent profligacy continued before Dominic Calvert-Lewin was left unmarked to nod home a right-wing corner on 58 minutes. Diaz struck the post as the visitors desperately pushed for a way back into it but they were second best throughout and slumped to a fourth league loss of the season.
The result sees Liverpool remain in second spot, three points off leaders Arsenal with just four games to play. Manchester City are a point behind with two games in hand, leaving Klopp’s men needing some major favours to have any chance of ending the season in top spot.
The rare derby victory ensures 16th-placed Everton move eight points clear of the drop zone with just four games to play in what was Sean Dyche’s first all-Merseyside clash on home turf.
Liverpool must now bounce back at West Ham on Saturday to avoid seeing their final season under Klopp peter out with a disappointing finale. Everton host 15th-placed Brentford knowing they are close to securing their Premier League status. Liverpool’s dream of sending Jurgen Klopp off with the second Premier League title of his trophy-laden reign are all-but over. The German’s final Merseyside derby ends with a first ever loss at Goodison and it’s one that leaves his team now needing an unlikely wobble from BOTH Arsenal and Manchester City.
This was a below par display that demonstrated what looked likely in recent home losses to Atalanta and Crystal Palace – that the players have joined their manager in running out of steam.
Everton were worthy winners and despite their points deduction now appear heavy favourites to avoid the drop after securing a third win in their last four outings.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton). The forward was an injury doubt leading into the contest but you would never know it as he bullied Ibrahima Konate and made Liverpool’s defence look shaky throughout. His reward was a game-clinching header and a place in Merseyside derby folklore.
PLAYER RATINGS
EVERTON: Pickford 8, Godfrey 8, Tarkowski 8, Branthwaite 8, Mykolenko 7, Gueye 8, Harrison 8, Doucoure 8, Garner 8, McNeil 8, Calvert-Lewin 9. Subs: Young 7, Onana 6, Chermiti n/a.
LIVERPOOL: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 4, Konate 4, Van Dijk 5, Robertson 5, Szoboszlai 5, Mac Allister 5, Jones 4, Diaz 6, Salah 4, Nunez 4. Subs: Elliott 6, Quansah 6, Endo 5, Gomez n/a, Tsimikas n/a.
Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
27’ – GOAL! – Everton 1-0 Liverpool: (Branthwaite). It’s a comedy of errors at the back for the visitors as a miscued clearance drops for Branthwaite whose shot squeezes past Alisson and in off the post.
36’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! A slick move sees the ball touched to Nunez but he fires straight at Pickford with the goal gaping.
58’ – GOAL! – Everton 2-0 Liverpool: (Calvert-Lewin). Calvert-Lewin leaps unmarked at the back stick and easily heads home a right-wing corner.
70’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Diaz cuts in from the left and clangs the far post with a fizzing shot with Pickford well beaten.