Everton Edged Out In Narrow Derby Defeat

Everton tasted a narrow 1-0 defeat in the 246^th Merseyside derby – but only after creating a host of chances that should have seen them come away from Anfield with some reward.

After soaking up early pressure, the Blues had the better opportunities in the first half, Beto’s low finish being chalked off for a narrow offside, before the striker hit the post when clean through.

There was more attacking intent from David Moyes’ men after the break but the decisive moment came on 57 minutes as Diogo Jota was allowed to intercept on the edge of the area and move into the box before finishing beyond Jordan Pickford.

There was controversy from that, however, Luis Diaz being in an offside position in the build-up but the officials deeming the forward was not interfering with play, despite James Tarkowski having to come out and intercept to stop the Colombian having a clear sight at goal.

Team News

With the Blues heading into the clash on a nine-match Premier League run, Moyes stuck with the same XI that drew at home to West Ham United before the international break.

Vitalii Mykolenko recovered from a knock sustained while playing for Ukraine, while there was a welcome return on the bench for Iliman Ndiaye, who had been out since mid-February after being forced off with a knee injury in the 2-2 Goodison derby draw.

With Jesper Lindstrøm missing due to a groin strain, Charly Alcaraz and Jack Harrison retained their places on the flanks, with Beto once again leading the attack.

 

 

Fast Start

Liverpool came racing out of the blocks to apply early pressure but it was Everton who had the first chance, Alcaraz playing a one-two with Idrissa Gana Gueye on the left edge of the area to race into the area and go down under a challenge from Curtis Jones, referee Sam Barrott waving play on.

The official was making a call involving another Argentine at the other end moments later, James Tarkowski sliding to clear the ball on the edge of his own area but catching Alexis Mac Allister on the follow through which saw the Blues skipper booked despite a second look by VAR for a possible red card. From the resulting set piece, Dominik Szoboszlai curled a powerful effort just past the right-hand post.

The Toffees threatened again on 17 minutes, James Garner’s long throw into the box being missed by everyone as Alcaraz gratefully accepted, smacking a thunderous half-volley that looked goalbound before being deflected away.

Chances At Both Ends

Everton had the ball in the back of the net soon after, Tarkowski floating a pinpoint pass over the top for Beto to chase, the striker doing well to hold off Ibrahima Konate and finish through the legs of Caoimhin Kelleher, only for the assistant referee to raise his flag for offside – a VAR check confirming Beto’s foot was by a matter of inches.

As the half-hour mark approached, the hosts had two quickfire chances, Diogo Jota unleashing a shot from just inside the area that flew narrowly wide, before Luis Diaz picked out Mohamed Salah at the back post to plant a header into the arms of Jordan Pickford.

The Blues were wondering how they didn't have a precious lead three minutes later, Doucoure finding space in the centre of the park and squeezing a through ball into Beto. The striker took advantage of a wild jump from Virgil van Dijk to break clear but, with just Kelleher to beat, he placed his finish on to the left-hand post.

As four minutes of first-half added time were signalled, there was still a chance for Everton to counter from a corner, Beto trying to slide a pass into Jack Harrison that was just behind the winger, before Alcaraz had a pop from 25 yards out that took a wicked deflection over the bar for a corner. A lively half ended with Harrison dinking a free-kick into the area for Alcaraz to head wide.

More Of The Same

The chances kept coming for the Blues in the second half, their vast attacking improvement under Moyes evident once more as Alcaraz slid a pass down the right channel for Doucoure to look to pick out Beto waiting around the six-yard box before Liverpool cleared their lines.

Better was to come soon after as another counter allowed Harrison to carry the ball from deep inside his own half but only for his attempted through ball to Beto to go straight to a red shirt.

Harsh Opener

Having looked the more likely team to find a breakthrough, Everton were behind on 57 minutes. Ryan Gravenberch played a pass into the area where Tarkowski intercepted ahead of an offside Diaz. Jota reacted first and managed to cut a path into the box before putting a low finish past Pickford.

It was harsh on the Blues, who responded with 21 minutes remaining as Ndiaye came on for Harrison looking to show some magic on his welcome return.

That was soon followed by a trio of changes – Armando Broja, Ashley Young and Tim Iroegbunam replacing Beto, Alcaraz and Garner.

A lull in the contest followed, just as Everton needed a spark, Broja trying to get on the end of Mykolenko's left wing cross only for van Dijk's header to hit the Albania international and go behind for a goal-kick.

Youssef Chermiti was the final change for Doucoure with the Toffees ramping up the pressure in six minutes of added time without finding that moment of quality to recreate their dramatic finish from the Goodison derby two months earlier.

The final chance came from a Young corner, Pickford going up to create some late, late drama – but a foul was called on Kelleher and with that went Everton's last hope.