Toffees dent Liverpool's title bid with Merseyside derby stalemate at Goodison Park
Sunday 3 March 2019 19:50, UK
Everton manager Marco Silva has demanded a repeat of the passion shown on and off the pitch in Sunday's Merseyside derby draw with Liverpool.
The Toffees entered the 233rd meeting with Liverpool having lost nine of their last 15 Premier League matches, and without a win over their closest rivals in eight and a half years.
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But a battling display earned a credible point against their title-chasing neighbours, denting the Reds' hopes of a first league title in 29 years as they finished the day off the summit for the first time since December 7 having played the same number of games as the champions.
"It was a tough match for both teams. Both teams wanted to win, both teams had dangerous crosses, but we were the better team in the second half," Silva told Sky Sports.
"We pressed higher in the second half and our team improved with the fresh players. We played more in the middle, but we had to be aware of their counter-attack.
"What I wanted to give the fans was the three points, but we gave them a good performance and desire. We showed a good attitude and they want to see that always.
"The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic. If you can repeat this then I am 100% sure that 20-30% our job is done.
The fans can push our team to win, not just this game but any game - they were the 12th player on the pitch and I expect 80 per cent of that in the next game here."
