Everton vs Liverpool - Review, Barclays Premier League, 2013-14

After a seesaw battle, both the sides had to settle for a draw after the Merseyside Derby ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw.

Here we take a review of the English Premier League (EPL) game that took place in the afternoon at lunchtime at Guddison Park.

Lights, Camera and kick-off as the match went underway at the Guddison park, Coutinho  started with the customary goal as early as in the 4th minute itself which Liverpool has been habituated to – to an early goal all this season and it was two in the first 10 minutes with Everton’s Mirallas scoring at the other end of the ground.

Game Changing moment of the Match:

Exactly what the fans would have expected from the derby encounter. The match started in an aggressive manner and continued after the 1st half of the match as well. Controversies, booing from the fans and few fights and challenges. But the real moment came in the match when Everton came from behind, Lukaku leading the team from the front scoring twice within 20mins in the second half making 3-2 bringing them close to the infamous Merseyside Derby win but a late goal from substitute Daniel Sturridge in the dying minutes earned Liverpool a point by cancelling Lukaku’s effort. The match also saw the  brilliance from Luis Suarez who brought Liverpool in the lead with a stunning free kick some 25 yards away from the post in the 18th minute.

Superstar of the Match:

Romela Lukaku:

Pretty average in the first half, Lukaku came strongly in the 2nd half - first with a stunning header leveling with Liverpool’s goal tally and than with another powerful goal setting Everton almost in a winning position making the mockery of the Red’s defence also beating Simon MIgnolet who was in top form all throughout in the game.

Hero of the Match:

Simon Mignolet:

He seems to be so far the best signing for the Rogers this summer. The goal keeper bought from Sunderland was tough to beat, making some real hard saves and also saving his team from sinking whose defense was quite ordinary except from Flanagan. The young lad handed out his first Premier League start this season showed glimpses of becoming a world class defender if nurtured properly.

Underachiever of the Match:

Joe Allen :

Not so regular in the team and out with the injury ever since he has joined Liverpool, Allen who has the backing of the boss, Rogers himself dint look impressive at all in his first Premier League start missing out on a simply chance of scoring after Suarez’s hard work cutting past 3 defenders and setting up the goal in open for Allen. If scored the goal, the Reds would have cherished the 3 points at Guddison Park.

Controversial moment in the match:

Earlier in the match the host were quite lucky enough to get away with the yellow and not shown a red card to Mirallas by the referee after a very harsh challenge to Luis Suarez which forced him to go out of the field for a while following an injury scare. It was a clear red carded offense and also the on field referee was in good position to have a good view about it but guess the Merseyside derby pressure was just going above his head.

Opinion:

The match again showed Liverpool’s lack of effort to play their top game in the 2nd half.  But at the end showed resilience  and held their nerves till the end of the match which helped to win the a point atleast. To win at the Guddison Park is not easy. Everton are unbeatable at their home this season – a draw is something positive they can take out from this game. Liverpool under Rogers is improving and at this moment it seems the Anfield is likely to book its place in the Champions League next season.