Emotions run high as Everton and Liverpool share spoils
london: Four goals, four red cards and a last-gasp equaliser that will go down in English football lore.
It was quite the wild ride in the 120th and final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
Everton captain James Tarkowski smashed a shot into the roof of the net in the eighth minute of stoppage time to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League. It was virtually the last kick of the game, sparking wild celebrations inside one of English football’s most venerable and atmospheric stadiums, which will be demolished at the end of this season.
“Amazing to score and what an amazing night,” said Tarkowski, whose rare goal will be remembered as one of the great moments in Goodison Park’s long history.
The “Grand Old Lady” — as the stadium is fondly called by the locals — has been Everton’s home since 1892. The club is moving to a new 52,888-capacity venue at Bramley-Moore Dock on Liverpool’s waterfront.
Tarkowski’s strike denied Liverpool a victory that would have lifted the leaders nine points clear atop the league. Instead, Liverpool’s advantage over Arsenal is seven points after 24 games. Beto put Everton ahead in the 11th minute — the striker celebrated by hitting LeBron James’ “Silencer” move — before Alexis Mac Allister equalized in the 16th by heading home a right-wing cross from Mohamed Salah, who put Liverpool in front in the 73rd with his league-leading 22nd goal of the campaign.
Then came Tarkowski’s amazing — and, to some, fitting — intervention, with his goal only awarded after a long, agonizing video review for a potential offside in the buildup.
“I just saw the ball going wide and thought, Last minute, why not?’ Tarkowski said. “It managed to fall to me and I let it rip.” After the final whistle, Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure appeared to celebrate in front of Liverpool’s fans and was confronted by Liverpool substitute Curtis Jones, leading to a melee involving more players, officials, stewards and even police officers.
