Source: Telegraph
Everton 0 Liverpool 2: match report
Sunderland's beach ball, Lyon's offside, Cameron Jerome's thunderbolt. If Liverpool have had their share of bad luck as their season has disintegrated, they more than made up for it with a priceless derby win against Everton despite being comprehensively outplayed. [LNB]Javier Masherano's shot deflected off Joseph Yobo's foot to hand Rafael Benitez's side an early lead, but Everton laid siege to their goal, seeing two efforts ruled out for offside and Pepe Reina produce a remarkable double save before Dirk Kuyt tapped home with 10 minutes to go to seal a crucial win. [LNB] Related ArticlesLiverpool's rivals have let them off the hookMerseyside derbyPremier League actionPremier League tablePremier League fixturesSport on televisionWhether they deserved it or not is a different matter entirely. Their confidence shattered after a run of just two wins in 11 games, Liverpool singularly failed to build on their initial slice of good fortune. Rather, Benitez's side withdrew into their shell, inviting Everton onto them. Cue an aerial bombardment. [LNB]David Moyes had selected Jo, rather than the in-form Louis Saha or Yakubu, for the added height he provided the hosts' attack against a side vulnerable to assault from the skies. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov should have drawn Everton level a mere five minutes after they fell behind. Sidefooting wide after Tony Hibbert's throw was flicked along the six yard line by the Brazilian, Maroaune Fellaini and Jamie Carragher. [LNB]The Russian, lively throughout, drew Pepe Reina into action with an overhead kick, while Jo could make only the gentlest contact with Fellaini's flick, directing the ball into the Liverpool goalkeeper's grateful hands. [LNB]Liverpool's luck looked like it could not possibly hold, after all that they have been through, but for the rest of the first half it grew stronger. Jo had two goals ruled out for offside, one marginally and one clearly, as the home side pressed forward, their visitors rocking back on their heels. [LNB]Benitez's side fashioned just one chance of any note, Emiliano Insua drawing a splendid reaction save from Tim Howard after leaping beyond Tony Hibbert to meet Glen Johnson's cross, but their subdued travelling support, rather than revelling in a derby lead, seemed pensive, as if they knew it would take a vast improvement if it was to last. [LNB]It was not forthcoming. Everton continued to pile forward, gifted possession by their nervy, anxious opponents, and almost gifted a goal when the usually unflappable Reina nearly allowed Steven Pienaar's speculative shot to squirm out of his arms and through his legs. [LNB]The Spaniard atoned for his momentary panic with a spectacular double save from Tim Cahill, stretching a palm low to his left to parry a glancing header, and then Fellaini, leaping to his feet to block the Belgian's shot from point blank range. [LNB]It seemed to draw Everton's sting. Their play became disjointed, and with barely their first real attack of the half, Liverpool sealed it, Kuyt tapping home after Howard saved substitute Albert Riera's shot. [LNB]
