Premier League - Liverpool 0-2 Everton - Huge win for the Toffees in the Merseyside derby

The Merseyside derby was the big game of the day in the EPL on this Saturday. Everton came into this game in a confident mood as an improving side, and knew that a victory would draw themselves level with their city rivals. Liverpool have been struggling in the league, but did get a good win in mid-week in the Champions League against RB Leipzig.

The visitors from across Stanley Park flew out of the traps and got their rewards on 3 mins. A poor defensive header from Ozan Kabak on loan from Shalke went straight to Abdoulaye Doucoure, who passed it on to James Rodriguez. The Colombian playmaker then has the class to slip a pass through to Richarlison clear in on goal, and the Brazilian made no mistake, with a low finish across Alisson and into the bottom corner. Everton had an important early goal.

Liverpool had to respond, and on 19 mins the Reds caused Everton problems at the back for the first time. Sadio Mane laid a pass off for Roberto Firmino in the centre of the goal, but the Brazilian's low shot from 15 yards out was brilliantly blocked by Michael Keane.

A minute later, Klopp's side had a big chance. Liverpool had a couple of attempts on goal from a corner, and when the ball dropped for skipper Jordan Henderson, he hit a dipping volley from the edge of the box, but Jordan Pickford flew full stretch to his right to tip the ball away. Liverpool were getting up a head of steam, and on 21 mins there was another stunning stop from Pickford. Trent Alexander-Arnold let fly a curling shot from fully 30 yards out, which Pickford leapt to tip over the bar.

On 25 mins, the Reds suffered a blow. Jordan Henderson hits the turf and stays down after a challenge from Abdoulaye Doucoure. After treatment he got up to play on, but the injury was serious enough for him to come off just before the half hour mark, and on came Nathaniel Phillips in his place. Jurgen Klopp had a huge (sarcastic) grin on his face, as he knew that this would hamper his chances of his team pulling back level with Everton.

That job nearly became much harder, as Everton had a brilliant chance on 33 mins. A crisp passing move saw Seamus Coleman getting to the edge of the six yard box, where he met Lucas Digne's cross with a flying header, but Alisson made a superb point blank save to deny the Republic of Ireland international.

On 37 mins, substitute Nathaniel Phillips almost drew Liverpool level, sneaking in at the back post, but his diving header from Andy Robertson's delivery went into the side-netting. Everton went into the break leading at Anfield. Would they go on to finally win?

After the break, Liverpool were on the front foot at the start of the second half. On 47 mins, they forced an opening as Andrew Robertson's cross was met by Sadio Mane, but the header while back peddling was gathered by Jordan Pickford.

Liverpool had a glorious chance to level on 50 mins when Trent Alexander-Arnold breezed past Lucas Digne, and drilled a cross into the six yard box. Sadio Mane believed that he had a tap-in, but Mason Holgate stretched out a leg to divert the ball away. In the next move, Mane headed over unchallenged from six yards out. A bad miss, but he was stretching a little too much to get real purchase on the header.

Jordan Pickford was having a terrific game and on 69 mins Xherdan Shaqiri slipped a pass to Mohamed Salah who was bearing down on goal. It looked to be heading for 1-1, but Pickford made himself big to make a block, and then pounced on the loose ball.

Everton were defending stoutly and finally on 82 mins they broke forward. Dominic Calvert-Lewin's shot was saved by Alisson, but it fell loose, and Trent Alexander-Arnold sticking out a leg to try and clear, brought down the Toffees striker. A penalty was given. The referee Chris Kavanagh was asked by VAR to have a look at the incident on the pitch side monitor, but one glance was enough, and the penalty stood. Cool as you like, Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up and tucked the penalty into the left hand bottom corner. Everton were leading 2-0 at the home of their bitter rivals.

This was a historic win for the Toffees masterminded by cool Ancelotti, the first win in the Merseyside derby since 1999, the first in this century. They were much the better team and they deserved this victory. Somewhere in the distance in the city, fireworks were being let off, rockets punctuating the sky as the blue half of Merseyside celebrated a jubilant victory...