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| Andy Carroll celebrates his first league goal of the season |
Andy Carroll scored to get off the mark in the Premier League this season in a 2-0 controversial win over Everton in the 216th Merseyside Derby.
There was only one change in the team from the Wolves win last week, Dirk Kuyt, the ever dependable Dutchman had come in for Jordan Henderson. Kenny Dalglish kept Suarez and Carroll upfront, with captain Steven Gerrard amongst the substitutions along with Craig Bellamy.
The game started with a high tempo between both teams, the Everton crowd was roaring in the lunchtime kick off and the team responded with a dominant display in the opening minutes. But it was Luis Suarez who had the first chance of the game, a free header on goal in the opening minutes, but the effort was straight at Tim Howard. Tim Cahill almost instantly put The Toffees in front with a header that was looping into Pepe Reina’s goal, only for the Spaniard to fingertip the ball over the bar. Sylvain Distin then came close to making the break through, but his shot inside the box flew over the bar.
As always a Merseyside derby wouldn’t be complete without a red card and one arrived on 23 minutes into the game when Jack Rodwell lunged in on Luis Suarez. Referee Martin Atkinson did not hesitate to brandish a redcard, the 20th between the two teams in the Premier League, the most in any fixture. However on a second look, the decision had seemed harsh, as Rodwell had got the ball.
The red card seemed to have a massive impact on Everton’s game; instead of their early high-tempo and attacking play they adopted a deeper, more reserved approach. Tim Cahill moved onto the left, leaving Louis Saha as a lone striker upfront.
The change of tactic allowed Liverpool to keep more possession of the ball, something they had earlier lacked. But they failed to make the man advantage count untill Phil Jagielka brought down Suarez on the edge of the area, after a clever turn from the Uruguayan. Dirk Kuyt, the man for the big occasion stepped up to take the penalty in search of his 50th goal. However Tim Howard was equal to the penalty, tipping it around the post. The Dutchman had chosen the wrong fixture to miss his first penalty for the reds.
It was then Charlie Adam’s turn in added time to try and force the breakthrough. The Scotman’s fierce strike struck the crossbar from 25 yards out. Everton were still hanging on.
The second half had started where the 1st had left. Liverpool were in search of an opener, with waves of attack leaving Everton sitting deep looking to counter the reds. Tim Cahill set up Saha but he fired wide from just inside the area. The Frenchman was involved again, but in the opposite box. Everton’s number 8 cleared a corner met by the head of Andy Carroll off the line.
Howard tipped another Andy Carroll effort just around the post as it was creeping into the bottom corner. Sensing a change, the 67th minute saw the introduction of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, continuing his rehabilitaion after a 6-month injury lay off. Along with him came Craig Bellamy for Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam.
Craig Bellamy made an impact straight away; the Welshman released Jose Enrique on the left, crossing the ball, Dirk Kuyt cleverly ducked under the cross allowing Andy Carroll to volley home his first Premier League goal of the season. A much needed confidence booster for the reds number 9.
Luis Suarez put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute when a miss clearance from Distin, hit the Uruguayan’s chest, dropping for him nicely to place the ball in the back of the net from 5 yards.
Kuyt almost made up for his missed penalty when Everton’s defence had fallen asleep. But his shot only managed to hit the post. During the game there were also numerous incidents of coins and bottles thrown at Bellamy and Suarez when they went up to take their corners.
The fixture dubbed the “Friendly Derby” was anything but on this occasion.
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