Liverpool 1, Everton 0 - Fernando Torres wins derby for Liverpool

Mar 30 2008

FERNANDO TORRES settled the 207th Merseyside derby with a clinical sixth minute finish.

Liverpool’s top scorer struck for the sixth home match in succession, but the goal was of Everton’s own making as Yakubu tried to turn and dribble on the edge of his own penalty area and was robbed by Alonso.

Dirk Kuyt swept the ball on to Torres and he clipped the ball comprehensively past Tim Howard.

Liverpool deserved their win for a dominant first half display. Everton improved after the interval but the closest they came to an equaliser was a flashing header from Leon Osman which flew a foot wide.

Everton went into the match desperately short of firepower.

The absences of Tim Cahill and James Vaughan had already been known, but the withdrawals of Andrew Johnson and Victor Anichebe with overnight injuries was an even greater blow, especially when it was learned that Yakubu had struggled overnight with a stomach upset.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez retained the same system which had operated so well prior to last weekend’s trip to Old Trafford, but with a couple of switches within that framework.

Jamie Carragher switched to right-back to accommodate Sami Hyypia’s recall alongside Martin Skrtel, while Lucas was handed the task of filling the suspended Javier Mascherano’s boots.

Everton had the first on-target effort, Arteta turning on the edge of the box and firing a low drive which Reina comfortably saved, but Liverpool’s first shot on target after six minutes was altogether more decisive.

Everton played themselves into trouble when Yakubu tried to turn and dribble just yards outside his own penalty area. It was a risky manoeuvre, and the danger was manifested when Alonso poked the ball through to Kuyt, who swept it onto Torres and Anfield’s lion rampant did what he has done in each of his previous five home matches, clipping the ball confidently past Howard.

Everton were rocked and twice in the next 10 minutes Lee Carsley and then Phil Neville were booked for late lunges.

Everton’s lack of firepower was evident, while Liverpool looked dangerous every time they swept forward.

John Arne Riise’s cross deserved a better finish than the air shot Ryan Babel produced after darting in between Everton’s defenders, then Steven Gerrard produced the volley of the match from 20 yards, only to turn in anguish as his shot beat Howard but bounced back into play off the base of a goalpost.

Dirk Kuyt was given a similar opportunity from the same distance, but from a slightly less inviting angle, on the stroke of half-time, but his effort never looked like troubling the Everton goalkeeper.

Liverpool had dominated throughout, with Hyypia subduing Yakubu almost totally and Carragher repelling the left flank threat of Lescott and Pienaar superbly, while Everton boss David Moyes was left with a substitutes’ bench which offered him virtually no means of changing the shape or direction of the match.

The Blues boss made one tactical switch at the start of the second half, asking Steven Pienaar to raid down the right rather than the left, but the most significant result of that switch was a yellow card for the South African as he tried to track back after the breaking Ryan Babel.

Everton had also moved Mikel Arteta into the middle and asked Phil Neville to operate down the left and made a much better start to the second half.

Liverpool looked far less dangerous and Everton finally started to chisel out a handful of half chances.

From Arteta’s free-kick Leon Osman connected with a diving header which flashed a foot wide then Yakubu was denied by a splendid full stretch slide tackle by Sami Hyypia.

Moyes made another switch on the hour when he withdrew Pienaar and asked Manuel Fernandes to provide more penetration down the right.

But it was Liverpool who threatened next, Lucas connecting with a looping left-footed volley inside the penalty area which Yobo blocked with his body.

Phil Jagielka became the fourth Blues player booked in the 71st minute, although his yellow card was probably the least deserving of the lot, trying to volley the ball but unconsciously connecting with Gerrard’s head.

The Reds skipper was unhurt, although the same couldn’t be said for his Everton counterpart a minute later when he was substituted for Leighton Baines.

It was unclear whether Neville was injured or not, but his pride was certainly hurt as he made the lonely walk across the Anfield pitch to shake hands with the derby debutant.

Everton pitched Phil Jagielka up front for the closing stages as they desperately chased an equaliser, but the only half chance they created fell to the feet of Tony Hibbert and he failed to make a clean connection.

Dirk Kuyt certainly did three minutes from time but his curving shot clipped off Fernandes and scraped the post as it flew wide.