Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Liverpool - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - February 12, 2025 Everton's James Tarkowski scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) - A chaotic end to Wednesday's Merseyside derby, featuring a last-gasp goal and a raft of red cards, provided the perfect conclusion to an old-fashioned tussle between Everton and Liverpool, the last at Goodison Park after 131 years.
Everton captain James Tarkowski equalised deep into stoppage time to earn them a 2-2 Premier League draw against Arne Slot's side.
But it felt like a victory to Everton boss David Moyes and the Toffees faithful, who serenaded their squad long after the final whistle.
"I think the night was made for something to happen," said Moyes, whose team are unbeaten in their last four league games. "It wasn't the greatest, it wasn't the cleanest game of football you've ever watched, bit scrappy on both sides. It was a bit of an old-fashioned throwback in some ways.
"Mental probably sums it up. A brilliant finish for us, to finish the last Goodison Merseyside derby and score in the last minute is in a way fitting."
Everton's Beto scored the game's opener in the 11th minute, before Mohamed Salah first set up Alexis Mac Allister's goal in the 16th minute and then scored his own in the 73rd and the league leaders looked poised for victory.
Tarkowski struck a blistering goal into the corner in the 98th minute, sparking bedlam among players and fans. A melee between Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure and the Reds' Curtis Jones saw both receive red cards after Jones took umbrage at Doucoure celebrating in front of the Liverpool stands.
Liverpool boss Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown reds, meaning neither were permitted to speak to TV after the game or attend a post-game press conference.
The stadium exploded after a lengthy VAR check for offside allowed Tarkowski's goal to stand.
"The bit after the game, it's not the things you really talk about," Moyes said. "But the place was boiling hot all night, emotional, incredible atmosphere inside the stadium. The stadium was at fever pitch. You could see what it meant to supporters at the end of the game, the crowd was rocking. It was one of the big nights."
The final derby before Everton move to their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for next season was due to be played in December but was postponed due to Storm Darragh.
The draw, which featured four goals and four red cards, was a fitting finish with neither side able to claim permanent bragging rights -- the tally totalling 41 wins apiece at Goodison for the Merseyside rivals with 38 draws.
"I've watched (the goal) about 15 times, I won't lose the image of me volleying that ball into the roof of the net against Liverpool, for sure," Tarkowski said. "We are leaving this special stadium so a nice memory for everyone going into the future."
Liverpool, whose single point on Wednesday put them seven clear of second-placed Arsenal atop the Premier League table, have had the upper hand between the two teams of late.
Toffees fans, though, have a sense of humour about their lack of results. One sign in Wednesday's crowd read: "At least an empty (trophy) cabinet is easier to move."
The draw has Everton 10 points clear of the danger zone in 15th.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Toby Davis)
