Everton’s Premier League status is now all-but assured following a 2-0 win in the last-ever Merseyside derby with Jürgen Klopp in the dugout, essentially ending Liverpool’s title hopes in their first Premier League head-to-head victory at Goodison Park since 2010.Blood and thunder is often the order of play in Merseyside derbies, and this 244th edition was no different from the get-go. Everton thought they were the early beneficiaries of it inside 10 minutes when Allison felled Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the area, but VAR adjudged he had strayed marginally offside when he latched onto Jack Harrison’s inch-perfect ball. Not to be outdone, Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a measured ball of his own shortly after Liverpool’s reprieve, and as Mo Salah latched onto it to square for one of two waiting teammates, a last-ditch Ben Godfrey clearance denied what was a certain goal.In his first Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, Sean Dyche becomes the first Everton manager to beat Liverpool at home since David Moyes in 2010. 🔵👏#EVELIV • #EFC pic.twitter.com/m9ygiKKB2g— The Coaches’ Voice (@CoachesVoice) April 24, 2024 He was soon in the thick of the action at the other end, too, involved in a bout of penalty box pinball that ended with Ibrahima Konaté inadvertently poking the ball to Jarrad Branthwaite, who duly accepted the gift as his effort squirmed beneath Allison and trickled over the line. As one goalkeeper was left red-faced at one end, Jordan Pickford was the hero at the other end, producing a stunning save from close range to deny a rocket unleashed by Darwin Núñez. He made an equally smart stop shortly after too, denying Luis Díaz, as you sensed halftime came at an inopportune time for the Reds as they were beginning to build a head of steam.
In what was his last Merseyside derby halftime team talk, whatever Jürgen Klopp said seemed to do the trick, as his side started the second half as they finished the first – in the ascendancy. But their momentum was soon stunted when they were hit with the ultimate sucker punch. It was no surprise to see it was a corner where Everton gained success, with Dwight McNeil’s deep delivery powered home at the far post by the head of Calvert-Lewin. The arrears were almost halved within an instant though when Díaz danced into the area and saw his effort crash back off the post.
It was always likely to be a nervy end to the game given Everton hadn’t won a derby at Goodison since 2010 prior to tonight, but Sean Dyche’s men were relatively untroubled in seeing out a clean sheet that prevented their rivals from equalling their club record of scoring in 21 successive away matches, set in 1956. Defeat meant that Klopp missed the chance to become the first Liverpool manager in history to reach 10 league wins against Everton, but the bigger blow for the Reds is that their title race is now all-but run.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Elsewhere, Manchester United boosted their European qualification aspirations after twice recovering from a goal down to claim a hard-fought 4-2 win over Sheffield United, ending a four-match winless run in the Premier League.The clouds continued to circle around Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford in the build-up to this match, as the Dutchman launched a stinging attack on the press after the negative fall-out from their FA Cup semi-final win over Coventry. Their hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification were effectively over ahead of this visit from the Blades, whose immediate return to the Championship looks a formality. The hosts made a bright start here though, as Wes Foderingham made a fine save to deny Diogo Dalot inside the opening minutes, and was called into action again to keep out Alejandro Garnacho.Pep saving Haaland for the final stretch: Not a big issue but he is not ready for tomorrowTen Hag’s men were enjoying more than 80% possession of the ball and carved through the Blades defence again, as another Rasmus Højlund attempt was kept out by Foderingham. However, it was the visitors who struck first courtesy of a Red Devils defensive horror show. André Onana’s pass to Dalot was intercepted by Jayden Bogle, who provided a clinical finish to give the visitors an unlikely lead. But Ten Hag’s men were back on level terms before halftime thanks to Harry Maguire’s brilliant deft header from Garnacho’s cross.
Those United fans hoping to see their side kick on in the second half were left bitterly disappointed, with Ben Brereton Díaz making United pay with an excellent first-time finish from Ben Osborn’s cross. This topsy-turvy clash then took another twist after Auston Trusty was penalised for hauling Maguire down in the box, despite Dalot having already slotted the ball into the net. Bruno Fernandes made no mistake with the subsequent penalty, and parity was restored once again. The spot-kick brought with it a piece of unwanted Premier League history for the Blades, as it was the 90th goal they’ve conceded this season – the most in a 38-game season in competition history.
Then, in a moment which best summed up the chaotic nature of United’s season, Fernandes produced a moment of magic with a ferocious left-footed strike from distance that flew past Foderingham. A moment of brilliance had got Ten Hag’s men out of jail, before the Portugal international teed up Højlund to seal all three points. The result mathematically keeps United’s top-four hopes alive, but securing sixth spot and UEFA Europa League football is a more realistic target. Meanwhile, this result moves Chris Wilder’s side ever closer to the Premier League trapdoor after extending their winless run in the top flight to 10 games.
PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 29TuesdayArsenal – Chelsea 5-0 (1-0)/Trossard 4, White 52, 70, Havertz 57, 65/WednesdayWolverhampton – Bournemouth 0-1 (0-1)/Semenyo 37/Man. Utd. – Sheffield Utd 4-2 (1-1)/Maguire 42, Fernandes 61 pen, 81, Hojlund 85 – Bogle 35, Brereton Diaz 50/Everton – Liverpool 2-0 (1-0)/Branthwaite 28, Calvert-Lewin 58/Crystal Palace – Newcastle 2-0 (0-0)/Mateta 55, 88/Thursday22:00: (7.00) Brighton (4.50) Man.City (1.45)***odds are subject to change***