Liverpool restored a morsel of pride in a disappointing season to date with a 2-0 win at Everton.
Everton's wretched week ends in derby defeat to Benitez's men
Liverpool restored a morsel of pride in a disappointing season to date with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over fierce Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
A match usually associated with passion and pride took on a new edge given the struggles of both sides, but it was Rafa Benitez's men who recorded what will be a massive win after a Joseph Yobo own goal and a second half tap-in from Dirk Kuyt.
The prelude to the encounter had focused upon the cloud of misery loitering over Merseyside, with both teams failing to meet respective ambitions in the Premier League and Liverpool having crashed out of the UEFA Champions League.
Everton would therefore argue that Liverpool's opener epitomised recent luck, while their neighbours would claim Yobo deflecting a Javier Mascherano shot into his own net in the 12th minute was a first piece of good fortune in several weeks.
David Moyes' men responded and enjoyed the better of the first half, having two goals correctly disallowed for offside, but they were fortunate not to be two behind at the interval after Tim Howard saved an Emiliano Insua header.
The second half followed suit, but was marked by the low confidence and form of both teams as the only real moment of quality was Jose Reina's sensational double stop from Tim Cahill's header and Marouane Fellaini's follow-up.
Everton, who had planning permission for a new stadium rejected by the government in midweek, were then further punished as Kuyt applied the second goal after Howard had failed to hold an effort from substitute Albert Riera in the 80th minute.
A two-goal win flattered Liverpool if the truth be told as the Reds were second best for the majority, but Benitez proved he is capable of selecting a team and tactics that is capable of recording smash-and-grab wins when neccesary.
Rarely can a Merseyside derby have been played out with both rival managers - David Moyes and Rafa Benitez - having had to handle questions over their longevity in their jobs.
Bitterest of rivals
The 212th clash between these bitterest of rivals certainly held the immediate futures of both seriously under-achieving clubs. Everton, fighting to get away from the relegation zone and Liverpool desperate to put their distressing season back on track.
Everton made four changes from the side that lost so poorly at Hull in midweek, Tony Hibbert, Jo, Fellaini and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov all returning with youngster Jack Rodwell the most notable omission with a groin injury.
Liverpool fielded the side that had won in Hungary against Debrecen, but could not save the Reds' Champions League lives.
And again there was no Fernando Torres in the squad, leaving young striker David Ngog to continue his Premier League education in the unforgiving glare of a derby battlefield.
With so much at stake, the opening exchanges were even more ferocious than usual.
Mascherano and Cahill traded kicks and warnings from referee Alan Wiley, with the latter 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.
Everton criminally 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 hopelessly 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 Reina right on the line.
Enemy territory
But there were other chances for Everton, with Bilyaletdinov managing to miscue 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.
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. 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.
| Everton |
Team Statistics |
Liverpool |
| 0 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 6 |
Corners |
4 |
| 15 |
Fouls |
12 |
| 6 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 75.8 |
Passing Success |
73 |
| 22 |
Tackles |
35 |
| 68.2 |
Tackles Success |
68.6 |
| 45.4 |
Possession |
54.6 |
| 54.7 |
Territorial Advantage |
45.3 |
|
