Confrontation is over-stating matters, as Everton and Liverpool delivered a local spat low on incident, quality or consequence. The spoils were shared along with the boredom.
Danny Ings marked his first derby appearance with a third goal in five appearances for Liverpool to ensure there was no fallout for Brendan Rodgers in his fight to regain favour at Anfield. The impressive Romelu Lukaku levelled quickly from the latest in a long line of Liverpool defence errors, although Simon Mignolet was faultless on this occasion. Phil Jagielka and Ramiro Funes Mori also stood out as defences held firm and, though Everton controlled much of the second half, their poor record in the fixture now stands at only one win from the last 18 encounters with their local rivals.
Slow-burner would politely describe the first-half proceedings, with both sides tentative in their approach before striking shortly before the interval. Liverpool were more composed while Everton started in the same passive, sloppy manner that left them trailing by two goals at West Bromwich Albion on Monday, rather than as the focused, incisive side that ultimately devastated Tony Pulis’s team. Considering where the pressure and form rested before kick-off, there was encouragement for Rodgers in the visitors’ first half display.
Liverpool created five openings before the home side threatened Mignolet’s goal. None were clear-cut but Tim Howard’s sliding tackle on James Milner, Jagielka’s well-timed challenges on Daniel Sturridge and Ings, Martin Skrtel’s free header over and Ings’ half volley reflected the flow of the opening exchanges. Howard also denied Milner at his near post following a neat one-two between the England midfielder and Philippe Coutinho.
Jagielka was not only busy with Liverpool’s attack but with organising an inexperienced Everton back-line. Tyias Browning, Funes Mori and Brendan Galloway were making their first starts in a Merseyside derby in the absence of the injured John Stones and Seamus Coleman. All performed impressively, with the Argentina international Funes Mori making a vital interception late on to prevent Sturridge racing clear on to Milner’s through ball.
Having struggled to find the space and control to construct a meaningful attack, Everton exploded into life midway through the half and twice went close to grabbing the lead. Mignolet repelled their advances superbly on both occasions. First, the oft-criticised Belgium goalkeeper produced a brilliant finger-tip save to prevent Steven Naismith burying Ross Barkley’s free-kick with a powerful header from 12 yards. Moments later he turned away a James McCarthy drive from the edge of the area after good approach work from the hosts.
Goodison Park cranked into life when Emre Can and Barkley became embroiled in a daft spat over the ball and the first players booked as a consequence.
The derby finally had the atmosphere it deserved. Its opening goal arrived shortly afterwards when Barkley lost Ings at a Milner corner and with Howard not dominating his six-yard area, the former Burnley striker was free to head home his third goal in five games.
Liverpool’s corner came after Gerard Deulofeu had needlessly lost possession in his opponent’s half, one of countless errors by the mercurial Spanish winger who did well to survive his substitution for 59 minutes. Yet his one positive contribution resulted in the tireless Romelu Lukaku equalising for Everton on the stroke of half-time. Deulofeu’s cross from the right wing was dangerous but should have been routine for Can once it sailed over Lukaku’s head. Instead, he sent an aimless clearance straight at Skrtel, the ball spun up off the Slovakian and the Everton forward did not waste the opportunity to find the bottom corner from eight yards.
The timing of Lukaku’s seventh goal of the season tilted the momentum towards Everton in the second half but they failed to capitalise on several promising counter-attacks. Barkley shot wide from distance, Lukaku tested Mignolet from a tight angle while Coutinho and Milner went close for Liverpool. The contest remained alarmingly short of quality, however, and the only controversy was the referee Martin Atkinson’s refusal to dismiss Lucas Leiva for a second bookable offence after a deliberate trip on McCarthy.
The midfielder’s quick substitution afterwards suggested Rodgers shared the opinion that Lucas was flirting with danger.
Everton increased the pressure in the dying stages but the ball would not run for Lukaku or the substitute Aaron Lennon inside the Liverpool area. The final whistle was met with suitably flat applause. Woeful.