The first half ended 0-0 but there was a few incidents where a penalty should have been awarded. Liverpool's Alberto Moreno was tugging and holding on to Everton's Romelu Lukaku at the edge of the penalty box. The linesman and referee waived it off. Another incident was Raheem Sterling's shot being blocked by Everton's Gareth Barry but he blocked it off by using his hand over his head. It was a clear penalty claim but the referee shook his head. The Liverpool players were fuming since the penalty was not awarded.
Image source: www.theguardian.com
The goal that Liverpool wanted so badly came at the 65th minute from a set piece. Steven Gerrard took the free kick and hit the ball to the right post. Everton's Tim Howard could only parry the ball but it fell into his own net. A curling shot avoiding the row of Everton defenders before creeping inside the left hand post of Tim Howard. A great strike from the Liverpool captain and a goal deserved. As expected, the Anfield stadium erupted with joy celebrating the goal against their bitter rivals.
Image source: www.independent.co.uk
Everton was hanging on as Liverpool piled up the pressure after the goal. They had their magical moment at the 91st minute with a late stunner from Phil Jagielka. The ball was headed out of the penalty box by the Liverpool defender and Jagielka came running towards the loose ball. He unleashed the strike that rocketed into the roof of the Liverpool goal! It was travelling with speed and swirling to the left of Liverpool's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. It was too good for Mignolet as his dive missed the ball by inches and he could only watch the ball fly inside his net. That strike from Jagielka was worthy of equalizing any match.
It was all square for the teams and they had to share the points. I believe the Liverpool players will be questioning the referee's decision on the penalty claims as they would have felt they were robbed off 2 points today. Everton had their chances too but only managed to make 1 of them count. A typical derby match with some talking points from the entertaining game.
