Moyes out of luck again

Liverpool 0 Everton 0

Sylvain Distin thought he had earned Everton three points when he rose above Jamie Carragher to nod in, but referee Michael Oliver had already blown for a free-kick as Victor Anichebe was adjudged to have blocked Pepe Reina getting to the ball.

Moyes certainly did not agree and it was hard to argue with the Everton boss, who felt the Liverpool goalkeeper had simply run into the striker.

But the draw means Everton’s loyal fans will have to wait another year on top of the 14 they have already for a win at Anfield.

“It was a goal, a legitimate goal,” said Moyes. “The goalkeeper runs into Victor Anichebe and it’s a goal. The referee said that Victor impeded the goalkeeper, but it was actually the goalkeeper who ran into him. So it can’t possibly be a free-kick.

“It is frustrating because people are quite quick to remind me that I have not won here at Anfield, but if you don’t get any decisions it is very hard to win here at Anfield. And that is quite a regular occurrence when we come to Anfield.

“It was not a foul. It’s disappointing because it is not easy to come here and win. I need to have something going for me, you need to get something.”

Of course, Brendan Rodgers did not agree with his rival manager.

“When you see it again, the referee has good sight of it early and as the ball leaves the corner he blows up for foul,” he claimed. “I don’t think we were fortunate.”

While the talk afterwards was on that disallowed goal, the debate in the build-up was whether there had been a power shift on Merseyside, with the Toffees five points clear of their rivals across Stanley Park and on course to finish above them for a second successive season.

There may have been little to play for in terms of titles or European competition, but within the city and amongst their loyal followers this match is still the highlight of the season as neither wants to finish below the other.

Their friendship off the pitch was displayed by a fitting mosaic from the Kop thanking Everton supporters for their backing in the fight for justice for the Hillsborough victims, but as soon as Oliver blew the whistle, those pleasantries were long forgotten about.

It was the hosts who created the first chance, but, like the game turned out to be, it was lacklustre from Daniel Sturridge, who failed to get his shot on target after opening space for himself.

Marouane Fellaini has been Everton’s talisman this season and he had the best chance of the half after Liverpool gave away a needless free-kick on the edge of the area.

Fellaini stuck a boot out, but could not direct it goalwards, much to the relief of Reina, who looked beaten.

Phil Jagielka then made his first of two very good blocks to deny Liverpool, first from Steven Gerrard and then to deny Philippe Coutinho when the Liverpool attacker pounced on a loose ball.

After the break it was keeper Tim Howard who came to the Toffees’ rescue as he blocked from Sturridge when the Liverpool striker rounded him before the ex-Chelsea man then fired into the side netting.

Distin then rose to head in a Leighton Baines corner, but the Everton celebrations were short-lived as referee Oliver had blown for a foul.

The official reckoned Anichebe had blocked off Reina before the ball even reached the Everton defender, who had headed home with the keeper on the floor. It looked a harsh decision.

It was then Gerrard’s turn to round Howard, but his scuffed shot allowed Distin the time to get back and clear the ball before Daniel Agger headed wide from a free-kick.

The sun was playing havoc for the Reds defence and Reina was almost caught out by a deflected Anichebe effort that spun high into the air with the Liverpool keeper only able to palm it onto the post.

Neither side found the breakthrough, however, and while Everton did not get the win they craved, the point ensures they remain five clear of their rivals with two games remaining, even though it effectively ends their ambitions of claiming a European place.

Tottenham are five points clear in fifth having played a game less so a Europa League place looks beyond the Toffees now, but their fans will take comfort in the fact Liverpool are looking up at them.