Four goals, four red cards and a last-gasp equalizer that will go down in English soccer lore made for a wild ride in the 120th and final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
Everton captain James Tarkowski smashed a shot into the roof of the net in the eighth minute of stoppage-time to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool in their Premier League clash.
It was virtually the last kick of the game, sparking wild celebrations inside one of English soccer’s most venerable and atmospheric stadiums, which is scheduled to be demolished at the end of this season.
Photo: EPA-EFE
“Amazing to score and what an amazing night,” said Tarkowski, whose rare goal will be remembered as one of the great moments in Goodison Park’s long history.
The “Grand Old Lady” — as the stadium is fondly called by locals — has been Everton’s home since 1892. The club is moving to a new 52,888-capacity venue at Bramley-Moore Dock on Liverpool’s waterfront.
Tarkowski’s strike denied Liverpool a victory that would have lifted the leaders nine points clear atop the league. Instead, Liverpool’s advantage over Arsenal is seven points after 24 games.
Photo: Reuters
Beto put Everton ahead in the 11th minute — the striker celebrated by hitting LeBron James’ “Silencer” move — before Alexis Mac Allister equalized in the 16th minute by heading home a right-wing cross from Mohamed Salah, who put Liverpool in front in the 73rd minute with his league-leading 22nd goal of the campaign.
Then came Tarkowski’s amazing — and, to some, fitting — intervention, with his goal only awarded after a long, agonizing video review for a potential offside in the buildup.
“I just saw the ball going wide and thought: ‘Last minute, why not?’ Tarkowski said. “It managed to fall to me and I let it rip.”
Photo: Reuters
The action did not stop there.
After the final whistle, Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure appeared to celebrate in front of Liverpool’s fans and was confronted by Liverpool substitute Curtis Jones, leading to a melee involving more players, officials, stewards and even police officers.
Doucoure and Jones both were shown second yellow cards, while Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, got straight red cards. Slot might have been sent off for shaking the hand of referee Michael Oliver aggressively.
The home fans created a typically feverish atmosphere — blue smoke filled the air around the ground before kick-off and Everton’s players were given a rapturous welcome as they arrived for the game — and they witnessed the most amazing of finishes.
“The place was boiling hot all night, emotional,” Everton manager David Moyes said. “It was an incredible atmosphere inside the stadium.”
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk said that it was “intense” and had his own opinion on the post-match melee.
“I think Abdoulaye Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans,” Van Dijk said. “I think that is what I saw and Curtis Jones didn’t think it was the right thing to do. And then you know what happens if there is a little tussle.”
As for Slot’s thoughts on the game, the occasion and perhaps his own red card, they will have to wait. He was not allowed to give post-match interviews after getting sent off, under Premier League rules.
The teams met 120 times in all competitions at Goodison Park, starting with the first meeting in 1894, and each won 41 times.
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