Everton FC 0, Liverpool FC 2: Fortune deserts the brave

FORTUNE DESERTS THE BRAVEDON'T tell anyone at Everton that fortune favours the brave. Fortune shamelessly abandoned the brave - and then cruelly sucker-punched them for good measure during the 212th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.For large parts of this game Everton were the only side moving the ball with any purpose and creating chances with slick, vibrant football.They were transformed from the side which capitulated in Hull last week, and proved they have been listening to the harsh words their manager has been forced to dish out during a disappointing campaign so far.In the run-up to the game David Moyes had reminded his side that the absolute minimum required of them was to "run about", and consequently the Blues started the brighter and more energetic of the two teams.In fact Everton soon established a swagger to their play that would have even won them a thumbs up from the watching Henry Winkler, better known as Happy Days' The Fonz.Steven Pienaar set out his stall early with some typically eye-catching skill to beat Insua and then hit a wonderful cross which was just beyond lone front-man Jo.Then Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, restored to the side after serving a ban, almost slipped Tim Cahill in before Tony Hibbert joined the attack, sending in another dangerous cross.Nobody should have been surprised to have seen Hibbert brought back into the first team, a smart move in recognition of his years of derby experience. He was never going to let anyone down, and helped establish the early pressure Everton cranked up.Tim Cahill, another derby veteran, was firing on all cylinders looking to take the fight to a subdued Liverpool who were missing their Spanish talisman and carrying a clearly half-fit Steven Gerrard.

Source: Liverpool_Echo