The Toffees went into Sunday's Goodison Park clash as the form team in the city but conceded twice in the first 20 minutes through a Leighton Baines own goal and a header from Luis Suarez. They quickly hit back courtesy of Leon Osman's strike, and Steven Naismith equalised with 10 minutes still to go until half-time. That proved to be the final goal but both teams had chances to win the game, with Suarez seeing an injury-time effort ruled out by an errant offside flag. Centre-back Distin told evertontv:
"We look back with a bit of frustration but I guess we'll be happy after coming back from 2-0 down.
"It's a draw and we're disappointed, but that shows the ambition and determination of the lads.
"We once again wanted to win, so right now we feel disappointed. But when you look at the bigger picture, we've lost only one game out of nine in the league."
The result kept Everton six points ahead of Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League table, and one of their standout performers was former Rangers midfielder Naismith. The 26-year-old Scotland international moved south of the border in the summer and was delighted to net his first Everton goal in an atmosphere that was very familiar.
He said: "I grew up a Rangers fan so scoring in an Old Firm derby was special and it's difficult to compare but scoring in front of the Gwladys Street was great - I'll certainly remember it.
"I've had that experience of derby games. It's about who wants it more and I think we showed that we wanted it."
Scoring goals has certainly not been a problem so far this season for Everton, who have netted 17 times in nine Premier League games, and Naismith is hoping he can contribute a few more.
"I love scoring goals," he said.
"I got my fair share at Rangers so at least I'm off the mark now for Everton and I can build on it.
"When you've got guys like Kevin (Mirallas), Felli (Marouane Fellaini) and (Nikica) Jelavic, you know they're going to put the ball in there so you've just got to gamble and if you don't get in there you're never going to score.
"For me this first period is about settling in and getting used to the training as well as coming back from injury.
"I never came expecting to play every week but I work hard every day to get back to where I was before and this was just another step towards that."
Source: team_talk
