Liverpool 1 Everton 1: Cahill slams on the brake as Rafa's Reds are held

20 January 2009 02:02
Unstoppable: Gerrard lets fly and his shot beats Neville on its way into the net Benitez bit like a rabid dog when Sir Alex Ferguson suggested Liverpool would struggle to cope with the considerable pressure, and his players responded to that with an inept performance at Stoke. When the Liverpool manager then picked a fight with his employers, first over the control of transfers then because of their apparent reluctance to resolve the future of Daniel  Agger, he no doubt hoped they would unite behind him. But only from Steven Gerrard did he get the reaction he was looking for, and only in Gerrard does he seem to possess a player who can hold his nerve when responsibility rests heavily on those athletic shoulders. Before a day in court came this day of reckoning, and the Liverpool captain at least showed he is equal to the task.   More... MARTIN SAMUEL: Tension is too much for Liverpool as Fergie enjoys his red We're still in a very good position, insists Liverpool boss Benitez after Kop flop Liverpool v Everton - Sportsmail's top 10 Merseyside derbies Benitez blasts Liverpool's American owners over on going Agger contract saga EVERTON FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB On nobody was the pressure greater last night. The fear of losing ground to United. The fear of what might happen on Friday, when he appears before magistrates charged with assault and causing affray. In the 68th minute he delivered his verdict with what amounted to a brilliant goal, no doubt believing he had inspired his colleagues as much as he had reminded Ferguson why United's manager once described him as the most influential player in the English game. In his team-mates, however, there would appear to be weakness and in Benitez what will be seen as potentially decisive faults. Heads up: Liverpool’s Riera rises above Everton’s Hibbert in a battle to get to the ball first 'He's cracking up,' cried the jubilant Everton fans, and the wisdom of taking on Ferguson as well as the Anfield board will certainly be questioned, as will his refusal to sign that new contract. Add to that certain changes that were made last night and Benitez might have to be careful before he dares accuse his players of lacking the stomach for the fight. Why, for instance, did he turn to Lucas as a replacement for an exhausted Fernando Torres when Javier Mascherano would have been a far more sensible choice. In Mascherano he has the captain of Argentina and a midfield warrior when it comes to protecting a singlegoal lead. As it was, he sent on Lucas and before that Yossi Benayoun, and it was Benayoun's foul that handed Everton the free-kick from which Cahill scored. It was a decent delivery from Mikel Arteta, but one that nevertheless should have been dealt with by Liverpool's otherwise excellent defence. Benitez will point to the injustice of it all, the chance Torres so nearly converted, the penalty that referee Howard Webb clearly should have awarded shortly after the interval when Phil Jagielka brought down Liverpool's brilliant Spain striker. But Everton were as worthy of their point as much as Liverpool deserved no more than a draw, so determined were the visitors from the first whistle to the last. Good fortune might have been Jagielka's companion at one stage but it was good football for which Everton will be remembered here. Jagielka was terrific and so were the majority of his team-mates, sensing Liverpool's trepidation and punishing them accordingly - not least in the 87th minute when Cahill scored with a stunning header. Once again David Moyes proved himself quite a manager, so well organised were Everton in the absence of their striker and record signing, Marouane Fellaini. Moment of truth: Tim Cahill flicks home at the near post three minutes from time Liverpool's principal striker was back after missing the last two months but his partnership with Robbie Keane failed to spark, Benitez replacing the Irishman with Benayoun after 67 minutes. The match started , inevitably, with a chorus of support for Gerrard, the fans here only too aware how the working week would end for their captain. Gerrard thanked them with a clap of hands and then endeavoured to repay them with another determined display. This, however, is an Everton team enjoying yet another excellent season under the expert guidance of Moyes and they were quick to make their mark in this derby. An early shot from Victor Anichebe that forced a fine save from Pepe Reina sparked concern, as did the foul challenges Phil Neville and Arteta then made on Gerrard. Everton threatened when Cahill met a fine cross from Anichebe with a header that forced another super save from Reina. But when Torres demonstrated great poise as well as pace to win the chase for a long ball forward from Sami Hyypia ahead of Jagielka and Julian Lescott, he contrived to unleash a shot that shaved the outside of Tim Howard's post. Torres cursed in frustration, incredulous his magical touch had somehow let him down. Not that it compared to the disappointment that then followed.   More... MARTIN SAMUEL: Tension is too much for Liverpool as Fergie enjoys his red We're still in a very good position, insists Liverpool boss Benitez after Kop flop Liverpool v Everton - Sportsmail's top 10 Merseyside derbies Benitez blasts Liverpool's American owners over on going Agger contract saga EVERTON FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB  

Source: Daily_Mail