Our Everton jury have returned to have their say on the dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool
Everton and Liverpool played out a Merseyside derby classic as Goodison Park played host to the historic fixture for the final time. James Tarkowski equalised in the eighth minute of added time to snatch a 2-2 draw for the Blues that moved them 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
The goal sparked chaotic scenes as supporters spilled onto the pitch and, after the final whistle, a mass brawl between both sets of players broke out. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones were both sent off, as were Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff.
Beto had put the Blues ahead after just 11 minutes, but his effort was cancelled out by Alexis Mac Allister’s header before Mohamed Salah fired the Reds ahead 17 minutes from time. And with the derby fresh in their mind, our Everton jury have returned to have their say.
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Paul McParlan – Captain fantastic!
With the clouds of blue smoke and pungent aroma of fireworks lingering on Goodison Road last night, you knew that this was going to be something special. The noise, the atmosphere, the frenzy, the packed pubs as you approached the stadium was something extraordinary to behold.
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And it was fitting that the final ever Goodison Derby would be played under the lights, instead of being shunted to a midday kick off in December, which was what the TV broadcasters had originally planned.
The vibrant displays in the Gwladys Street End and the rousing, rapturous roar that greeted the Everton players was seismic. You sensed that there was no way Everton were going to lose this one. And who didn’t love that banner at the front, which simply read “We built this city since 1878”. A simple reminder to the football world that Everton were the first league club in this city and the first-ever title winners at Anfield! If you know your history!
From the kick off, Everton seemed energised by the passion inside the arena. Every tackle was cheered, and every pass was applauded. Then, when Beto slipped past a static defence, which allegedly contained the world’s best defender, to score the opening goal, Goodison Park erupted. And what a well-executed finish it was.
The loss of Iliman Ndiaye, our most creative player, was a cruel blow to Everton’s game plan, but even though it was 1-1 at the interval, Everton were the better team and deserved to be in front. Then against the run of play, the visitors scored with only their second shot on target. It looked as though a depleted Everton with limited options on the bench would never find a way back as Alisson continued to waste time with every goal kick.
And then, in the 98th minute, with the fans still urging their team forward, came a finale like no other. Vitalii Mykolenko launched a cross into the box, Tim Iroegbunam headed it on, and there was the Everton captain, James Tarkowski, to smash home a stunning equaliser that almost ripped the back of the net open.
Cue absolute bedlam as Everton fans went bananas, with a volume of deafening, delirious celebration that could probably be heard in the city centre. And what a joy it was to behold.
The customary long VAR delay whenever Everton scored seemed to drag on for an eternity, but when the goal was confirmed, a torrent of joy flowed around the stadium.
And when the final whistle went, the Goodison disco kicked in with fans staying behind to deliver a classic selection of Everton anthems as the Blues partied the night away, dancing in the stands.
It was a fantastic end to the game. And what a way to silence a team that doesn’t like playing cup finals.
And that strike from James Tarkowski will forever be written in football history as the last ever goal in a Goodison Derby! Thanks, captain!
James Kellett – An outpouring of relief, passion and ecstasy
‘Never forget lads, one Evertonian is worth 20 Liverpudlians’, words from one of Everton’s finest captains, Brian Labone.
His words come to mind after the events of last night’s thoroughly deserved 2-2 draw in Goodison Park’s last Merseyside Derby.
This felt like a derby we haven’t seen in a time, with flying tackles, aggressive off-the-ball altercations, and drama oozing from every corner of the grand old lady. Flashback a couple of months ago, the team looked worn and unclear in any direction.
It almost felt like an insult to see such poor performances in Goodison’s final season, but since the introduction of Moyes, it appears there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. By no means have Everton guaranteed their Premier League status, but week after week it seems we are getting a small step closer.
Rewinding to last night, in addition to the dramatic nature of the goal, we saw a team fight to the very end. It was an outpouring of relief, passion and ecstasy, something that has been missing from football and this city.
Addressing the quote at the top, not a single blue should have to justify the celebrations from last night; cherish it and embrace it, and to finish on another quote, ‘Those who don’t understand don’t matter.’
