Everton v Liverpool: Five classic encounters

Everton take on Liverpool on Sunday and the two sides have played out some classic derbies down the years. Take a trip down memory lane with me and recapture some of the best, worst and most action-packed meetings between the two Merseyside giants.

EVERTON 2 LIVERPOOL 0

2010 FA PREMIER LEAGUE

 

This Merseyside derby was totally dominated by Everton as Moyes's boys piled the pressure on a beleaguered Liverpool.

Before kick-off both sides were feeling the heat. The two giants were in the bottom four and needed a win to kick start their season. The red half of the city was in particular need of a pick-me-up as new manager Roy Hodgson wasn't enjoying life at Anfield. A poor start to the season had compounded Liverpool's problems.

The Toffees had made their customary slow start to the season, but the Blues were the quickest out of the blocks in this encounter. Everton totally dominated the opening stages. Defensive duo Phil Jagelka and Slyvain Distain missed presentable chances to give the hosts the lead, while Yakubu also tested Pepe Reina from distance.

Everton finally gained a deserved lead on 34 minutes. Seamus Coleman created the goal with a buccaneering run. The right back eluded several defenders before cutting the ball back. Tim Cahill was the first to react and smashed a shot past Reina. The Evertonians in Gwladys Street End got the perfect view of the goal.  Goodison was rocking and Hodgson's men were on the ropes.

Liverpool's limp challenge was killed off five minutes into the second half. A Leighton Baines corner was partially cleared by the Liverpool defence. The loose ball fell to Mikel Arteta on the edge of the penalty area. The Spaniard sensed his chance and hit a first timer into the roof of the net. There was no coming back for Liverpool.

The defeat marked the beginning of the end for Roy Hodgson. Two months later he was sacked by Liverpool. Everton continued their improvement to finish seventh.

 

 

EVERTON 3 LIVERPOOL 0

2006 FA PREMIER LEAGUE

David Moyes has always had an eye for a bargain. The Scot has defied the odds during his decade at Goodison. Despite working on a limited budget the Everton manager has signed countless quality players.

In 2004 Moyes signed Tim Cahill from Millwall for a paltry £2 million. The South London club were crying daylight robbery as Cahill developed into a high calibre goalscoring midfielder. Cahill was one of many gems to be unearthed by the Glasgow-born gaffer. Moyes's splendid management helped the Toffees return to the higher echelons of English football. The dark days of Mike Walker and Walter Smith were a distant memory.

In 2005 Everton finished fourth in the Premier League, one place above Liverpool. This top four finish saw Everton qualify for the Champions League. Moyes attempted to build on this success by recruiting fresh talent. In the summer of 2006 striker Andy Johnson joined the Blues revolution. Everton shelled out £6 million to land the Crystal Palace hitman. The new Toffees faced a stern examination in this Merseyside derby.

The Gwladys Street end was delirious when the home side took a 23rd minute lead. The move began when Mikel Arteta made tracks down the Liverpool right. The Spaniard's cross was flicked on by Carsley into the path of Tim Cahill. With the Reds' rearguard rooted to the spot, Cahill swept the ball past Reina.

The Blues doubled their advantage 10 minutes before the break. Carsley's through ball was totally misjudged by Jamie Carragher. Andy Johnson didn't need a second invitation. The former Birmingham City striker raced clear before beating Reina at his near post.

Reina probably thought his day couldn't get any worse, he was wrong. With full time approaching the Liverpool keeper fumbled Carsley's hopeful pot shot. The ball looped up and hit the bar. With Reina is no man's land Johnson bundled the ball over the line.

The goal capped a memorable Merseyside derby for the all Evertonians.

 

 

EVERTON 2 LIVERPOOL 3

2001  FA PREMIER LEAGUE

The glittering history of Liverpool Football Club is littered with wonderful achievements. The 2000/01 season saw the Reds break new ground. Gerrard Houlier's side completed a unique treble. The Anfield club won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup during a memorable campaign.

 

Having beaten Birmingham City in the League Cup Final, a confident Reds made the trip to Goodison.

 

It was a different story across Stanley Park. Everton manager Walter Smith was fighting a losing battle as the the Blues flirted with relegation. In all fairness Smith was not helped by his penny-pinching board. Chairman Peter Johnson was the target of Evertonian anger. His refusal to splash the cash was only part of the problem. Johnson was also a self-confessed Liverpool fan.

 

The form book appeared to have been followed when the visitors took a fourth minute lead. Emile Heskey's low shot crept under the body of Everton keeper Paul Gerrard. But local derbies often inspire the underdogs and Everton were a tough net to crack. In the 42nd minute the home side equalised through Duncan Ferguson. Big Dunc latched on to a Kevin Campbell knock down and finished with aplomb.

A fine counter attack saw the visitors regain the lead. An Everton free kick was cleared by the Reds defence. The ball ran loose to Dietmar Hamman. From inside his own half the midfielder spotted Robbie Fowler in space. The majestic cross field pass was inch perfect. Fowler took the ball in his stride and delivered a low cross. David Unsworth failed to intercept the cut back and allowed the ball to reach Marcus Babbel. Babbel made no mistake and Liverpool were 2-1 up.

With time running out Liverpool wasted a golden chance to wrap up victory. Richard Gough hacked down Fowler inside the penalty area. Referee Jeff Winter had no doubts and pointed to the spot. The England striker stepped up and fired a left foot shot against the post.

 

The miss proved costly when Everton themselves were awarded a penalty. Abel Xavier was penalised for holding down Ferguson. Unsworth succeeded where Fowler failed and the Toffees were on level terms. The goal seemed to have salvaged a vital point as the game entered stoppage time.

Nicolas Alexanderson felled Gregory Vignal midway inside the Everton half. The whole of Goodison expected Gary McAllister to deliver the free kick into the box. But the Scot showed marvellous invention and set his sights on goal.  The 35-yarder swerved past Gerrard into the bottom right corner.

 

 

EVERTON 4 LIVERPOOL 4

1991 FA CUP 5th ROUND REPLAY

There have been many great clubs ties between the two clubs. The FA Cup Finals of 1986 and 1989 readily spring to mind, but I have selected this classic from

1991.

 

Having drawn 0-0  at Anfield the Merseyside giants met again at Goodison. It was first blood to Liverpool when Peter Beardsley scored. Ian Rush was put clean through in the 32nd minute. The striker's effort was cleared off the line by Andy Hinchcliffe, but Beardsley gobbled up the rebound to put the visitors ahead.

Everton responded immediately after half time. Greame Sharpe headed in Hinchcliffe's left wing cross. Liverpool regained their lead with a typical Beardsley goal. The former Newcastle man received the ball on the edge of the penalty area. Beardsley shimmied past Martin Keown and let fly. The ball arrowed past Neville Southall in the blink of an eye. Liverpool were now 2-1 up with 20 minutes remaining. But within two minutes the Toffees were again on level terms. Steve Nicol misjudged his back pass, the ball ran loose and rolled towards the Liverpool goal. Sharpe pounced to tap the ball over the line.

 

Four minutes later the Reds were back in front. Liverpool were awarded a right wing corner. John Barnes opted to go short, Jan Molby received the ball and floated in a searching cross. Ian Rush reacted quickest and nodded the ball past Southall.

The Blues refused to lie down though and equalised a minute from time. Neil McDonald's right wing centre eluded the entire Liverpool defence. Substitute Tony Cottee latched on the centre and prodded home. The goal sent the game into extra time. Remarkably Kenny Dalglish's side took the lead for a fourth time. Midway through extra time a beautiful goal from John Barnes seemed to have finally settled the tie. The winger cut inside and spotted Southall off his line. Barnes drew back his right foot and unleashed a curling shot. Big Nev was left hapless as the ball dropped over his head and into the net.

Everton were far from finished and restored parity on 114 minutes. Cottee intercepted an errant back pass and scored from a tight angle.

What a game. The 4-4 draw was one of the greatest FA Cup ties ever.

The drama wasn't over, two days later Kenny Dalglish resigned as Liverpool manager. The Scot ended his 14-year association with the Anfield club. In the press conference Dalglish cited stress as the prime reason for his departure.

Everton had the final word. The Toffees won the second replay 1-0.

 

 

EVERTON 0 LIVERPOOL 5

1982  FIRST DIVISION

The old saying "You always hurt the one your love", rings true for Ian Rush. The young Rushie was a boyhood Evertonian, who dreamt of scoring goals at Goodison.

In 1981 the Welshman was hot property. His exploits at Chester City had attracted the interest of several top clubs. Everton were rumoured to be interested in signing the Welsh striker. But when his boyhood favourites dithered, Liverpool seized their opportunity. The League Champions swooped for the 20-year-old marksman. Bob Paisley paid Chester £200,000 to capture the front runner.

 

A year later Rush came back to haunt the Blues. The gulf between the two sides was as wide as the Mersey. Liverpool dominated English football. For more than a ecade silverware was a permanent fixture in the Anfield trophy room. While Everton were a mid-table side struggling to keep their heads above water.

This Merseyside derby illustrated the difference in class.

 

Liverpool opened the scoring on 11 minutes. Alan Hansen's through ball pierced the Everton defence. Rush ran clear and rifiled his shot past Neville Southall. Rush grabbed his second 10 minutes into the second half. His crisp drive took a deflection and wrong-footed Southall. A Mark Lawrenson goal made it 3-0. The bearded defender converted Kenny Dalglish's right wing cross. Rush completed his hat-trick on 71 minutes. Yet again Dalglish was the architect. The Scottish striker gained possession on the half way line. He turned and played in Rush. His left foot shot hit the post but bounces back to him. Rush accepts the gift and fire into an empty net.

The Welshmen netted  his fourth with a carbon copy. Another Everton attack broke down 20 yards from goal, Sammy Lee surged forward and passed to Rush. He beat the offside trap and rounded the onrushing Everton goalkeeper. With the goal at his mercy, Rush tapped the ball into the unguarded goal.

 

Ian Rush made history on that autumnal day. This was the first hat-trick in a Merseyside derby for 47 years. In later years Rush would continue to torment the Blues. The St Asaph-born forward scored 25 goals in Merseyside derbies. This impressive haul made him the fixture's all-time leading goalscorer.

 

Calling all Everton and Liverpool fans: What has been your favourite derby game at Goodison Park? Whatever your view, we'd love to hear from you.