Everton FC 2 Liverpool FC 2 - EFC final whistle match report

28 October 2012 15:47
A KEVIN MIRALLAS inspired Everton FC retrieved a 2-0 deficit to claim a remarkable derby draw at Goodison today. Then the Blues survived what had appeared to be an injury time winner by Luis Suarez, ruled out for offside. Everton trailed to a Leighton Baines own goal and a Suarez header, but with Mirallas causing mayhem down the Reds' left Everton pulled a goal back fro Leon Osman then levelled through Steven Naismith. But the Belgian winger limped off at half-time and Everton didn't quite have the same threat in the second half, although they went close. But the first 45 minutes will live long in the memory. In an astonishing half of football Everton trailed 2-0, came roaring back to level and might have gone in at the interval ahead. They trailed in the 14th minute when Luis Suarez crashed a shot across the face of goal which crashed into Baines and flew past Howard for an unfortunate own goal. Suarez, clearly stung by David  Moyes' pre-match assertions about his theatrical tumbling, ran half the length of the pitch in celebration before throwing himself comically to the floor, right in front of a glowering Moyes. Six minutes later Suarez upset Moyes even further when he glanced Steven Gerrard's free-kick neatly past Howard. Liverpool were ecstatic, but Everton's reaction was instant. They forced a corner, curved in by the outstanding Mirallas, and when Jones' punch only reached the edge of the penalty area Leon Osman chested down before crashing his first derby goal in 18 attempts past the Reds keeper. Everton were in the ascendant and after 35 minutes they levelled after outstanding work by Mirallas and Fellaini. The Belgians combined for Fellaini to cross and Steven Naismith to arrive late in the box to crash past Jones from six yards.   It had been a breathtaking half. Raheem Sterling was cautioned, and then perhaps fortunate to escape a red when he tripped Leighton Baines. Then Phil Neville, comically, was shown a yellow card for simulation as he fell over in front of Daniel Agger. It had been that kind of surreal derby match. Both managers took stock of a remarkable half of football at the interval and both made changes, although Everton's was enforced. Mirallas had sustained an injury trying to cross into the box just before half-time and failed to reappear, but in keeping with Everton's sense of adventure Moyes ignored the option of bringing on Tony Hibbert and advancing Seamus Coleman and introduced young French winger Magaye Gueye. Liverpool made two switches of personel and one tactical. Sebastion Coates and Jonjo Shelvey came on for Suso and Sahin, as Liverpool reverted to three central defenders with Enrique and Wisdom pushing on as wing-backs. The second half was more considered, it could hardly have been as frantic, but there were still chances. Seamus Coleman got behind the Reds defence and squared for Jelavic, only for Skrtel to make a saving tackle and Howard pushed away a deflected  Steven Gerrard free-kick. In time added on Liverpool thought they had scored a winner. Leon Osman was penalised for fouling Gerrard, although there had clearly been no offence committed, Gerrard clipped the ball into the box, Coates rose above Jagielka to head down and Suarez shot into the roof of the net. But as Liverpool celebrated, the linesman's flag ruled the 'goal' out and Liverpool had to frantically defend a Blues breakaway.  It was a surreal end to a memorable derby match. Related stories From around the web Related Tags

Source: liverpool_echo