Everton deny Liverpool as Merseyside derby ends in chaos – as it happened
Everton 2-2 Liverpool: The hosts rescued a late draw with the last kick of an eventful final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park
Everton captain James Tarkowski equalised deep into stoppage time to earn them a 2-2 Premier League draw against Liverpool in a dramatic final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Liverpool extended their lead atop the league table to seven points over second-placed Arsenal with what had been their game in hand, while Everton climbed to 10 points above the drop zone in 15th.
And after 131 years of Goodison derbies, the draw was a fitting ending with the final tally totalling 41 wins apiece and 38 draws.
Liverpool looked poised for victory when Tarkowski struck in the 98th minute with a blistering shot into the top corner. Scores of fans piled onto the pitch before a lengthy VAR review ruled the goal was onside.
Relive the updates from Goodison Park below:
Everton 2-2 Liverpool
That wraps up this Everton-Liverpool blog. Thanks for reading.
You can get all the latest news and reaction on the Independent’s football page.
Why so much added time?
Everton duo Carlos Alcaraz and Jarrad Branthwaite clashed heads and required almost exactly two minutes of treatment, adding more time on to the five minutes already indicated by the fourth official’s board.
Van Dijk takes swipe at Everton's Doucoure and referee Oliver
In the absence of his manager's assessment, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk gave the Reds' view to broadcasters.
In a thinly veiled jab at his side's rivals, the Dutchman told TNT Sports: "We all know this is their cup final and they will do everything in their power to try and win against us.
"I think Doucoure in the end wanted to provoke our fans from what I saw and Curtis didn't think that was the right thing to do.
"Obviously, you know what happens when there is a little tussle, but I didn't think the ref had the game under control, I said that to him."
Moyes grateful to emerge from derby 'mayhem' with draw
"It was mayhem all game, it was a bit of an old-fashioned throwback. The bit after the game, I could tell you about it but the truth is, it's not really what we should be talking about," said the Scot.
"What I do know is Doucoure got a yellow that led to a red which I am disappointed with as we are short of players. The place was boiling hot all night, emotional, it was an incredible atmosphere inside the stadium.
"I think it was hugely important that Evertonians get to finish at their stadium as best as they can.
"I just feel the support in here was unbelievable tonight, it was incredible support and I think it was fitting they got an end like they did.
"We didn't win, which was disappointing, but we got a draw in a game that didn't look as if it was going to go in our favour.
"It would have been hard to come here losing 2-1 and talking about it. But I think the way the crowd stayed to the end, it was a magical moment. There was a bit of tooing and froing at the end which might have added to the entertainment."
Moyes grateful to emerge from derby 'mayhem' with draw
The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park ended in an ugly on-field brawl and a flurry of red cards but Everton boss David Moyes was grateful to emerge from the "mayhem" with a dramatic draw.
Liverpool were on course to pile the misery on to their city rivals with one last victory on Toffees turf, only for James Tarkowski to hammer home a stunning volley to make it 2-2 in the eighth minute of added time.
After an agonising wait for VAR to confirm the goal, things took an incendiary turn inside the old stadium as Abdoulaye Doucoure's wild celebrations in front of the away fans sparked a furious reaction.
Reds midfielder Curtis Jones confronted Doucoure and the subsequent altercation saw both men dismissed for second bookings.
With supporters breaking on to the pitch, stewards and police became involved before Liverpool boss Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also sent off by referee Michael Oliver.
With no formal press conference from Liverpool - Slot and Hulshoff both barred from speaking by Premier League rules - Moyes focused on an important moment for his side rather than the drama that followed.
Why Arne Slot was banned from talking about red card
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was sent off by referee Michael Oliver after an intense handshake to conclude a fiery Merseyside derby but has so far been unable to provide his side of the story.
The Reds coach was unable to discuss the acrimonious scenes after James Tarkowski’s dramatic 97th minute equaliser for Everton, with Oliver brandishing a red card after the Dutchman firmly shook his hand.
That’s because of Premier League rules, which stipulate that any player, coach or manager shown a red card are unable to participate in a post-match interview with the media.
David Moyes on full-time scenes at Merseyside derby
“It was mayhem all game, it was a bit of an old-fashioned throwback all game. The bit after the game, I could tell you about it but the truth is it’s not really what we should be talking about.
“What I do know is Doucoure got a yellow that led to a red which I am disappointed with as we are short of players. The place was boiling hot all night, emotional, it was an incredible atmosphere inside the stadium.”
Premier League releases statement on late VAR call
The Premier League has released a short statement explaining VAR’s decision to allow James Tarkowski’s late goal for Everton against Liverpool in Wednesday night’s heated Merseyside derby.
However, it failed to explain whether a potential foul on Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate in the build-up was specifically reviewed and, if so, what exactly was concluded.
Premier League releases VAR statement on Everton’s equaliser against Liverpool
Goals, cards, and chaotic drama makes Goodison’s last Merseryside derby a thrilling finale
Goodison Park bade farewell to the derby with a reminder of the dangers of underestimating Evertonian defiance, an illustration of this game's enduring capacity for late drama.
“We won the league at Goodison Park,” chorused the Liverpool supporters, eyeing a nine-point lead at the Premier League summit, imagining Mohamed Salah had scored the final goal in this fixture at the most historic of grounds.
Goals, cards, and chaotic drama makes Goodison’s last derby a thrilling finale
David Moyes: Boiling hot Goodison Park deserved drama in final Merseyside derby
David Moyes called the chaotic finish to the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park a “fitting” finale as James Tarkowski’s volley in the eighth minute of stoppage time snatched Everton a 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
The Toffees had been unfortunate to be trailing to Mohamed Salah’s 73rd-minute goal, having led through an early Beto strike before Alexis Mac Allister’s headed equaliser just minutes later.
But Tarkowski then fired in at the death and, after the goal survived a lengthy VAR check for offside, there was pandemonium inside the stadium.
As supporters invaded the pitch, Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrated in front of the Liverpool fans, confronted there by Curtis Jones as a scuffle led to both players being sent off for second bookings before Reds manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also dismissed by referee Michael Oliver.
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