Everton 0-2 Liverpool

Everton's wait for a home win will continue into October after a bitterly disappointing defeat to Liverpool in the 208th Merseyside derby.

Two goals from Spain's Fernando Torres in the space of four second-half minutes consigned the Blues to defeat.

And to make matters worse, influential talisman Tim Cahill was dismissed for a straight red-card by referee Mike Riley with 10 minutes left to play for a foul on Xabi Alonso.

After the pain of an early exit from the Carling Cup in midweek, Everton showed steel and heart here but were left to rue missed opportunities.

The visitors enjoyed the greater share of the possession for much of the afternoon - but at the interval it was the home side who were able to reflect on the better chances - not least a great opening that fell to Cahill six yards out.

Instead, Torres showed a clinical eye for goal in the second half with two well-taken goals in front of the Gwladys Street End.

Everton were able to provide Marouane Fellaini with his full home debut and Louis Saha was introduced in the second period as the Blues went in search of more firepower.

But it was the loss of Cahill that ultimately killed Everton's spirit and resolve.

The first caution of the game was handed to home debutant Marouane Fellaini for a challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa - but it was a ruling met with derision from the home fans, who clearly felt it was a harsh decision against the Belgian international.

The first chance came in the 14th minute when a corner from Mikel Arteta bounced through the six yard box but Tim Cahill couldn't get enough on the ball with the goal seemingly at his mercy.

Yakubu in an aerial challenge with Jamie Carragher

At the other end, a sharp turn by Fernando Torres presented him with the chance to shoot but a timely block from Phil Jagielka denied the Spanish international.

With 16 minutes of the opening period remaining a great cross from Lescott was missed by Pepe Reina and fell to Fellaini. His volley goalwards was cleared off the line by Jamie Carragher but, unbelievably, the referee had already blown for a foul on the keeper.

On the stroke of half-time Yakubu latched onto a flick from Tim Cahill and turned Martin Skrtel only to drag his left-foot shot wide from the edge of the box. Moments later and a collision between Cahill and Carragher led to calls for a penalty.

Early in the second half Yakubu was booked for simulation by referee Riley as he charged into the penalty area.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard rifled a low drive wide from 25 yards seven minutes into the second period.

Gerrard was then involved in the build-up for the opening goal which culminated with a Robbie Keane cross volleyed in by Torres to the dismay of the Everton defence and the Goodison faithful.

Before the Blues could regroup Torres had netted again - coming four minutes later. He drilled the ball into the roof of the net after a great tackle from Jagielka had denied Keane.

In the minutes that followed Dirk Kuyt and Torres both had strikes disallowed and David Moyes made his first change, withdrawing Tony Hibbert to be replaced by Louis Saha for his first taste of action at Goodison in a blue jersey.

Saha had a great chance from a corner moments later but his shot was blocked by a combination of Kuyt and Gerrard.

Tony Hibbert and Steven Gerrard battle away

Everton pushed on but were frustrated when a great centre from Lescott was guided wide by Fellaini with Yakubu ready to pounce.

But with the goal not materialising, Everton's woes were intensified when Riley brandished a straight red card to Cahill for a challenge on Alonso that did not suggest it deemed such punishment.

Saha provided a glimpse of what he is capable of with a thunderbolt of a drive in the closing stages that flashed agonisingly wide with Reina beaten.