Both players have shown glimpses of what they are capable of in the past, but it’s hard to recall either of them having a better 90 minutes in a blue shirt.

And once again it’s testimony to the spirit within the squad and the whole attitude of everyone within the Goodison set-up, that players who have looked at best peripheral, at worst exit-bound, can come into the side and make such wholehearted, positive contributions.

It’s certainly no surprise that Tottenham Hotspur were rebuffed in their efforts to take Baines to White Hart Lane in exchange for Jermaine Jenas, yet it was only a few weeks ago that stories linking the Kirkby-born full-back with a £5m move to Newcastle seemed entirely plausible.

Anichebe rose to the occasion too, causing all sorts of problems for Liverpool’s doughty defenders and winning the free-kick that led to the Blues’ richly-deserved equaliser.

The way he was still battling for the ball with only a few minutes of the match remaining went some way to proving that he has indeed got the heart to go with his impressive physical attributes and steadily improving skills.

The big question, clearly, is whether Everton can go one better on Sunday and knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup?

And while Monday’s performance showed that we have no need whatsoever to be in awe of the old foe, the result might have made the return match that bit more difficult.

The onus is certainly on Benitez and his men to try and exact some sort of revenge for the damage that the Blues inflicted on their title hopes, so the Spaniard is clearly going to field a strong side.

What’s in his favour for this game though is that he has expensive internationals in reserve, while David Moyes has to ask exactly the same team to go and do it all again.

That’s a lot to ask given the intensity of these derby encounters, but if anyone can rise to the occasion twice in a week then it’s this remarkable bunch of players who continue to do the club proud.