Everton 1 Liverpool 3 - Prem (Dec 28 2005)

[TLW]

Everton 1 LIVERPOOL 3

Report by Steve Horton at the Pit

Scorer(s) - Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard, Djibril Cisse Half Time - 2-1 Venue - Woodison Park Date - Wed 28 Dec 2005 Star Man - Steven Gerrard

 

 

 

 

In one of the most one sided derby games in recent history, Liverpool cruised to victory at Goodison Park. The Blues were left chasing shadows for much of the game as the Reds firmly reminded them that form is temporary and class is permanent.

A year ago things were so different as the year drew to a close. Everton had won the last derby and were comfortably placed in the Champions League qualifying places, whilst we were struggling to even contemplate a UEFA Cup spot. Yes, we were in the last sixteen of the Champions League but few really expected us to go on and win it.

Now things are so different. We did win it, Everton totally fucked up their European campaigns and are now near the bottom, whilst Rafa Benitez has got to grips with the style of the Premiership.

But despite our run of eight successive league wins without conceding a goal and them losing two games on the trot 4-0, there was still a bout of trepidation going into this one. After all the form book goes out the window so often in derbies. Who can forget Fathead Royle taking over in 1994-5 and leading them to a 2-0 win against us, only their second win in 14 games, or them as good as killing off our title hopes in 1996-7 with a 1-1 draw. As such, I was one of quite a few Reds who were slightly concerned at their capitulation at Villa two days earlier.

Although there were fears the 8pm kick off could lead to trouble, there didn’t seem to be any more a poisonous atmosphere than usual before the game began. The Park End sang ‘murderers’ as we’ve come to expect but the seething cauldron of blue bitterness I’d been anticipating didn’t materialise, much to my disappointment.

The game began at the high tempo expected with quite a few fouls being committed by either side. But we silenced their fans in the tenth minute with the first real chance for either side. After a clever through headed pass by Steven Gerrard Peter Crouch rounded Nigel Martyn and steered the ball into the empty net. It was a superbly taken goal and a month ago he may have ran straight into the keeper’s feet, but since breaking his duck against Wigan Crouch has become unstoppable. As well as setting up chances, he is taking his own and the £7 million is money well spent. I’d also like to see what the dubious goals panel have to say about it too. Perhaps they’ll try to credit to a blade of grass.

We hardly had time to come back down to earth after the celebrations from the opening goal and Gerrard made it 2-0 after 17 minutes, his long range shot deflecting slightly of Yobo and leaving Martyn rooted to the spot. If the first goal was met with joy, this second was met with delirium as the Park end began to empty out at the thought of humiliation. At this point thoughts of a 5-0 were in everyone’s minds and it may well have happened had Djibril Cisse not fired over from the right hand corner of the six yard box just two minutes later.

Liverpool took their foot of the gas somewhat though and Everton began to come into the game a bit more, having a goal disallowed when referee Graham Poll ruled that the ball had gone out before it was crossed in and headed home. The ball had probably been in and Moyes would later blame this for the defeat, but if he watched again he’d see our defenders stopped playing and Pepe Reina didn’t make any attempt to save it once the whistle had gone. Had we continued playing, the ball almost certainly have never hit the back of the net. If you ask me though Moyes is acting in the way Houllier did in 2003-4, blaming everything else expect his own management style for the defeats.

Those who remained in their Park End seats rather than retreating to the bars were as animated as ever, spending most of their times with one arm pointing an accusing finger at Poll every time a decision went against him. One particular fan was almost on the pitch on several occasions, but probably got away with it as he appeared to be the escort of a disabled fan. In terms of backing their team, they were totally silent, in a state of shellshock.

In contrast it’s no surprise that the atmosphere was electric throughout in our section, with one of the best bits being the repeated airing of ‘ring of fire’ which hasn’t been heard enough this season. Other gems included “in for a week and out ten years – Everton in Europe” “Sissoko, he made the right choice” and “in Bucharest they conceded five times”. The only sad points were some Munich chants directed at Phil Neville.

Despite our dominance we faced a nervous half time as Everton pulled one back in the 43rd minute through a James Beattie header after being set up by Simon Davies. 2-1 didn’t do the first half justice and it needed some tough talking by Rafa to make sure the players stayed focused for the second period.

The Blues rolled out Neville Southall at half time for a penalty competition and also tried to gee the crowd up by playing “if you know your history”, a version that included the line ‘we don’t care what the red side say’. No wonder the derby atmosphere has become so bitter when even there own PA man is playing stuff like that.

Our confidence was restored just two minutes after the restart when we broke up one of their attacks, Cisse was sent clear and shook off the challenge of David Weir before beautifully placing the ball in the bottom right corner of the net. It wasn’t too dissimilar to John Arne Riise’s wonder strike in 2001-2 and came at roughly the same time of the game, from almost the same spot and as then made the score 3-1. Cisse’s badge kissing celebrations right in front of our fans showed just how much he loves the club and wants to stay. If he’d just run back a bit more and didn’t sulk so much if the ball wasn’t played to feet he may well have a future here.

A rout was expected then and Gerrard twice went close from a free kick then a blistering drive from 25 yards. But with Everton losing hope we didn’t need to exert ourselves more. As much as the fans would have loved it, Rafa and the players clearly felt conserving energy was the best thing and didn’t go all out for any more goals.

Everton were embarrassingly woeful and to compound their misery their two best players were sent off, each for two bookable offences. Its clear that Neville and Arteta are getting increasingly frustrated at having come from decent sides and being surrounded by poor players.

Every year we wonder if it is the one when Everton finally go down and every year there seems to be three teams who are worse. But this year I really think it could happen. Moyes said afterwards he was satisfied with his teams effort and seemed content to blame the referee, as he did at Villa. I haven’t met an Evertonian yet who was satisfied with their derby display. It looks to me like Moyes has lost the dressing room and daren’t criticise his players in case they get even worse. Instead he is blaming everyone else and assuming their luck will change. Sunderland are clearly going own but Birmingham will get better when their injured players return. Everton have no money for reinforcements, no talent and most of all no confidence. Therefore I truly believe they are going down. It’ll be our fault though.

As for Liverpool, second or third place with a clear gap between us and fourth is definitely on the cards this season. I cant see Chelsea slipping, or failing to get the favours they need (Cole not getting sent of against Fulham, allowing him to play against City and score the winner is a case in point), so I think the title is just beyond us. However the FA and European Cups will do nicely before going for the big one at home in 2007.


Team: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock; Gerrard (Garcia), Sissoko, Alonso, Kewell (Riise); Crouch (Morientes), Cisse: