Liverpool 1-0 Everton

Both teams went into this 213th Merseyside derby in good form. Liverpool were begining to pick up form after a poor start to the season were as Everton were on a rich vain of form having recently beating Wigan away in there previous Premier League fixture . But it was a typical derby game and form went out of the window.

There were tackles flying in from every angle and it was a throw back to a 70’s derby which we haven’t really seen down the years.  But it didn’t take to long before Liverpool seen Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos see red after a two footed challenge on Everton Marouane Fellaini.

Liverpool felt Steven Pienaar challenge on Javier Mascherano earlier should of seen red before Sotirios Kyrgiakos seen red but all the South African got was a yellow card. Even former ex-Everton player Andy Gray said he should off been sent off for the challenge.

But this was a tough afternoon for referee Martin Atkinson which got worse with the amount of high over the top challenges during the first half.

Marouane Fellaini was competiting for a challenge which then resulted Dirk Kuyt being kicked in the head he was then cautioned.

Meanwhile Liverpool were the only team to really come close after Gerrard tested Howard after whipping in a fine free kick which was tipped over the bar by the USA international. But this game was more scrappy than playing fancy football. Everton didn’t really test Pepe Reina all day the only real chance they had first half was when Leighton Baines tested Reina who tipped his shot over the bar.

The second half began and Liverpool started well in which it saw David N’gog shot deflected wide by French defender Sylvain Distin. But it was the 55th minute of the game which seen the break through. Liverpool won a corner in which Steven Gerrard whipped the ball into Dirk Kuyt from close range to nod the ball home.

A few minutes after the goal there was yet another scuffle in which it saw Gerrard catch Pienaar after trying the clear the ball. Martin Atkinson did not blow his whistle until Victor Anichebe played his part in the retaliation.

As the game got on Liverpool began to counter more than attack in order to keep hold of there lead, Yakubu had a chance  but Reina was alert to tip away Yakubu shot away.

In injury time Pienaar challenged Gerrard in the air in which saw Gerrard go down and Pienaar was eventually sent off although despite that he should of been sent of earlier in the game.

Overall I felt Liverpool deserved the win they worked hard all game even before going down to 10 men. Everton still haven’t beaten Liverpool at Anfield in 10 years and to be fair before the game I didn’t see it happening and I was right.