Sparks fly after last-gasp Tarkowski stunner rescues point for Everton
LATE DRAMA: James Tarkowski hammers home Everton's last-gasp equaliser at Goodison Park. Picture: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The last ever Goodison derby ended in predictably combustible fashion last night with a 97th minute equaliser from James Tarkowski and a fight, and three red cards, after the final whistle.
The famous old stadium, the sight of so many famous moments in Mersey and English football history, would have had it no other way, of course, and while Liverpool 'only' moved seven points clear at the top of the table, even the staunchest Red may one day appreciate their role in this occasion.
Abdoulaye Doucoure sparked the chaotic scenes on the whistle, as he celebrated the late equaliser in front of Liverpool fans, Curtis Jones remonstrating with him and players from both sides squaring up.
Referee Michael Oliver also faced a verbal barrage from Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who was shown red, while Doucoure and Jones, both booked during the game, were given second yellows.
Yet, when Salah had scored Liverpool’s second earlier in the half, it appeared he was leading his team to victory.
The striker had already assisted on Alexis Mac Allister’s equaliser, cancelling out an early opener from Beto as the famous old stadium hosted its last derby.
Then, after 73 minutes, Salah was on hand to sweep the ball in after Curtis Jones had won the ball off Jake O’Brien and seen a shot blocked by Jarrad Branthwaite.
It was Salah’s 22nd goal of the season, and 14th assist — his 36 goal involvements more than 10 teams have in the Premier League table this morning.
The fireworks off the field began long before kick-off, a raucous assembly of supporters meeting on Goodison Road to welcome the team coaches into the ground for the 120th, and last, derby at the famous old stadium.
It summed up the mood around Everton, already buoyed by improved results under David Moyes and in the mood to try and derail what is looking increasingly like being a Liverpool procession towards the title.
And what a predictably frantic and frenetic start the two teams found themselves engaged in, Tarkowski clattering into Cody Gakpo with seconds on the clock to the sort of roar few other grounds are capable of generating in today’s sanitised Premier League.
Doucoure maintained the mood, with a couple of key actions, including a pass which sent Jesper Lindstrom away down the right before his cross came to nothing.
Goodison was percolating nicely and about to boil over with an opening goal that will be remembered for years, after Mac Allister gave away a free-kick for an 11th minute foul on Iliman Ndiaye.
Branthwaite took the free-kick, the sort of move clearly orchestrated from practice on the training ground, with a sweeping pass that Beto ran onto, catching the Liverpool defence and Ibrahima Konate, in particular, unprepared.
The striker still had Alisson to beat but did it superbly, with a composed right-foot finish through the Brazilian’s body.
It was a real test of resolve and backbone for Slot’s league leaders but, based on what we have seen from them to date this season, one we should have know they would respond to.
In fact, they did so within five minutes, the length of time it took Mac Allister to atone for the free-kick he had given away for the opening goal.
The midfielder won a strong challenge in midfield and found Konate whose pass pushed Salah into space on the right, enough space, certainly, for the Egyptian to send over a perfect cross which Mac Allister, back to goal, steered into the net with a deft header.
The game was finely poised, again, although its momentum briefly stalled for lengthy treatment to Ndiaye who was helped off in tears, after being injured in a challenge with Dominik Szoboszlai.
That enforced delay certainly seemed to suck some of the energy out of the contest, or perhaps it had just all been spent in that opening, for until injury-time, neither keeper was required to make a save and each team recorded one shot on target - the two goals.
Finally, Szoboszlai broke the drought with a long shot that Jordan Pickford parried, with the keeper and Tarkowski combining to block Luis Diaz on the follow-up.
But the interval arrived with five bookings having been made by Michael Oliver and the smart money being on a red one following after the break.
The second half did not start in quite the same manic way as had the first - it would have been difficult to match that earlier intensity - but the home crowd needed little encouragement to roar into life.
Their players almost provided that as they eked out a couple of early chances - Doucoure heading wide from an Idrissa Gueye cross and then Doucoure finding Jack Harrison, who rolled a shot well wide.
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