EVERTON 0-2 LIVERPOOL

Everton Visit Official Site > Team Lineup 24 Howard 2 Hibbert 4 Yobo (85) 15 Distin 3 Baines 20 Pienaar 5 Heitinga 25 Fellaini 7 Bilyaletdinov 17 Cahill (82) 11 Jo (66) Substitutes 19 Gosling 31 Coleman 22 Yakubu (82) 8 Saha (66) 37 Baxter 23 Neill (85) 1 Nash Match Quotes "You have to earn your luck. We worked really hard and I was hoping we'd earn that luck but we didn't. It was disappointing. But we also missed some chances. The game was tight and I thought we were in the ascendancy in general. But after the game in the week, the players were asked to show great attitude and endeavour and it was there in abundance." - David Moyes

Everton 0 Liverpool 2 Scorer: Yobo (11 o.g.) Scorer: Kuyt (80) Attendance: 39,652 FT (15:22) Liverpool claimed a smash and grab Merseyside derby victory to claim fifth place in the Barclays Premier League on a day of raw tension at Goodison Park. But they will have sighed with relief after being pounded for almost all of this very local showdown, but somehow emerged with the points. An own goal from Joseph Yobo, deflecting a Javier Mascherano effort past Tim Howard saw Liverpool ahead at the break despite being almost permanently on the back foot as Everton poured forward. But their eighth win in their last 10 visits to Goodison Park was secured with 10 minutes to go when Dirk Kuyt scored from close range after another Yobo error. Everton were the dominant force, but could not turn their pressure into goals, with Liverpool now having lost just two of their last 20 league matches against the old enemy. The 212th meeting between these fierce rivals certainly held the immediate futures of both under-achieving clubs. Everton, fighting to get away from the relegation zone and Liverpool desperate to put their season back on track. With so much at stake, the opening exchanges were even more ferocious than usual. Mascherano and Tim Cahill traded kicks and warnings from referee Alan Wiley, with Tim Cahill finding himself dumped on the track by the Argentina captain. But it was Mascherano who was soon celebrating, having had a major part in Liverpool's 12th-minute lead. FULLY DESERVED Everton allowed the midfielder to advance towards their box, where he lashed in a 20 yarder that deflected off Yobo and into the opposite corner than had been intended with Howard wrongfooted. It was the lead Liverpool had craved, but one that ignited a fierce and sustained response from Everton. Twice they had the ball in the net before the break, but two efforts by Jo were ruled out for offside, the second when Fellaini blocked Jose Reina right on the line. But there were other chances for Everton, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov managing to shoot wide from six yards when it would have been easier to score. Reina saved from Russian winger, while the excellent Steven Pienaar was twice close as Everton surged forward in search of an equaliser they fully deserved. Liverpool were barely noticeable up front, although Kuyt fired over and Howard made a fine save from Emiliano Insua's close-range header. PERIPHERAL FIGURE But they were rare excursions into enemy territory for Liverpool in a one-sided first-half. Everton came out after the break intent on more of the same. They hurled themselves at Liverpool's creaking defence in which Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger were working overtime to keep the blue waves at bay. Liverpool were hanging on under the most searching of examinations. Saha replaced Jo after 66 minutes, still Everton rolling relentlessly forward. Yobo managed to deflect an Ngog effort wide, but that was a rare venture out by Liverpool. Reina produced a stunning double-save from Cahill and then Fellaini, Liverpool penned back and defending with increasing desperation. In all of this, Steven Gerrard was a peripheral figure. Clearly short of pace and movement he was unable to influence what was going on all around him, until taking a hand in the critical second goal. Ngog was finally withdrawn with 15 minutes to go, Yossi Benayoun arriving to play on the right with Kuyt taking the central attacking role. Albert Riera was next into the fray, in place of Fabio Aurelio, somehow Liverpool still ahead. But with 10 minutes left, all Everton's brave efforts came to nothing as Liverpool dealt them a sickening blow. Reina's long clearance was headed down by Kuyt with Yobo slashing wildly at the ball. It fell to Gerrard who set up Riera for a shot that Howard pushed into the path of Kuyt, who stabbed home the second. Ayegbeni Yakubu came off for Cahill, and Lucas Neill for a crestfallen Yobo. But it was all over for Everton, who will never know how they lost this one. Fantasy Player Pick Pepe Reina (Liverpool) The goalkeeper maintained Liverpool's advantage, making eight saves at Goodison Park. Play Fantasy Premier League > IKTS Snapshot Only seven per cent of IKTS players correctly predicted a 0-2 away win for Liverpool. I Know the Score > Email: Send this article to a friend Print: Print this page

Liverpool Visit Official Site > Team Lineup 25 Reina 2 Johnson 23 Carragher 5 Agger 22 Insua 20 Mascherano 21 Lucas 18 Kuyt 8 Gerrard 12 Aurelio (77) 24 Ngog (74) Substitutes 4 Aquilani 16 Kyrgiakos 37 Skrtel 31 El Zhar 11 Riera (77) 15 Benayoun (74) 1 Cavalieri Match Quotes "It was a great victory - everybody is really pleased. Today we worked so hard - they were tough and pushing and we did our job in defence and we had to play counter-attack." - Rafael Benite