Liverpool 1-1 Everton

Everton and Liverpool will meet for a third installment of the Merseyside derby series after a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

This time Everton scored first when Joleon Lescott headed home in the first half, but Steven Gerrard's second half leveller ensured a third meeting between the two sides in 17 days.

Liverpool began on the offensive and after just 20 seconds Xabi Alonso volleyed wide from the edge of the box.

Everton's first foray into opposition territory came in the fifth minute and resulted in Steven Pienaar going down in the box. Ref Steve Bennett played on, but replays suggested that Alvaro Arbeloa had clipped his heels.

Phil Neville tussles with Steven Gerrard

Everton's defending was, for the most part, resolute - with the home side struggling to create presentable opportunities.

Jamie Carragher sent a left foot shot into the side netting and Ryan Babel blazed horribly wide with a shot that actually went for a throw in.

A rare corner for the Toffees in the 27th minute then resulted in Lescott opening the scoring.

Liverpool again failed to mark Cahill and his goal-bound header was diverted past Pepe Reina by the former Wolves man.

Despite going behind, Liverpool still couldn't fashion a clear chance before the break, with Javier Mascherano's deflected long range effort the most notable threat to Tim Howard's goal.

Goalscorer Joleon Lescott is congratulated by his team-mates

And it was perhaps because of that frustration that Carragher was booked in the tunnel at half time for dissent.

Liverpool dominated possession early in the second period and equalised in the 54th minute.

Gerrard latched on to Torres' flick and rifled the ball in at Howard's near post.

But the American made up for his error two minutes later when he palmed a Gerrard strike from 12 yards over the bar.

With 20 minutes left, Dan Gosling was introduced for his first taste of a Merseyside derby, with Jack Rodwell following suit minutes later.

Everton captain Phil Neville salutes Lescott's opener

Liverpool continued to have the majority of play, but genuine chances were few and far between until Kuyt shot straight at Howard when well positioned with ten minutes to go.

That spurred the home side on again and a Torres effort was somehow blocked away from goal as the Toffees displayed admirable back-to-the-wall defending in the last five minutes.