James Tarkowski scores one of the most memorable goals in Derby day history as Everton rescue a point at the death in the final match against Liverpool at Goodison Park.Â
After being knocked out of the FA Cup by Bournemouth on the weekend, Everton were back in action on Wednesday against league leaders Liverpool for the final time at Goodison Park. It was an almost unchanged lineup, with the only swap seeing Mykolenko make his way back into the starting eleven in place of Ashley Young. Under the floodlights in what truly was a special atmosphere, the match started full of energy alongside a raucous Goodison.
Fueled by the tenacity of the supporters, the blues struck first in fantastic fashion. Direct from a free kick, Branthwaite played a beautiful weighted ball through the lines to Beto. The striker had curved his run beautifully to stay onside, and found himself one on one with Alisson in goal. He squared his body and placed the strike perfectly, scoring and sending the home supporters into a frenzy. 1-0. Unfortunately, Liverpool found the equalizer only 5 minutes later. Salah put a cross into the box for Alexis Mac Allister, who somehow looped his header up and into the net from a very difficult position to level the match at 1-1.
Five minutes later, disaster struck for Everton as Ndiaye went down with what looked to be a bad injury. He had a dynamic start to the match, but could not continue as he walked off the pitch with his face hidden n his shirt in obvious pain. Jack Harrison was brought on to replace Ndiaye on the wing. The match remained a torrid affair for the remainder of the first half, as several yellow cards in what would best be described as a stop start effort on the pitch. Szoboszlai nearly put the visitors aead in first half added time when he cannoned a powerful effort that required a great save from Pickford. The resulting save led to a scramble that nearly saw Diaz score, but Tarkowski was vigilant to deny the danger, and the match was 1-1 headed into the half.
The second half started with just as much energy as the first, and the blues should have been ahead in the 54th minute. Lindstrom played a ball to Gueye who put a brilliant cross into the box for Doucoure. The midfielder was all alone in the box but unfortunately headed his effort well wide on a day where he was the undisputed engine of the team. The 67th minute did see Everton find the back of the net, as Branthwaite bundled home from close range following a corner. However, he was clearly offside and the flag went up.
Liverpool took the lead in the 73rd minute, as Salah capitalized on an outrageous serious of deflections to fire past Pickford, making it 1-2. It was a back-breaking goal and in that moment it felt like it would be the decisive one. Not to be denied though, Moyes brought on Alcaraz and Iroegbunam in the 77th minute. Ashley Young would be the next substitution in the 87th minute, as Everton struggled to keep in touching distance in a match that seemed. to be slipping away. However, never to be denied, and with every supporter on their feet, the Grand Old Lady had her say one more time.
Deep into Extra time, Everton came forward one more time led by Jack Harrison. The winger attempted to cross but the ball cannoned off the nearby Mykolenko, who sent a cross in himself. Beto shielded off Konate just well enough to allow the ball to reach Tim Iroegbunam in the box. He headed it onwards only for the ball to land at the feet of James Tarkowski. The ever-present defender absolutely thundered an effort into the roof of the net in the 98th minute, sending Goodison Park into raptures. 2-2.
A lengthy VAR check would not deny the toffees, and a huge skirmish occurred after the match as Doucoure went straight over to the Liverpool supporters at full time. Several received sending-offs, including Doucoure and Liverpool manager Arne Slot, but all anyone will remember is the absolutely special finish from Tarkowski. A goal worth of the final Goodison Derby, and a bomb that Phil Jagielka would be proud of.
Everton are now 10 points clear of relegation, and next travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace.
UTFT!
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