Everton fans will look back fondly on the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, despite a draw. For them, it was a ‘brilliant end’ to a 120-year history.
Ian Rush’s quadruplet in 1982 or Liverpool’s four wasted leads in an FA Cup tie in 1991 – the Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park have provided plenty of exciting stories that could certainly fill a book.
The last chapter, played out on Wednesday evening, is one that Everton fans in particular will look back on fondly in the future: In the eighth minute of stoppage time, James Tarkowski scored the 2-2 equalizer with a volley in his 100th game for the Toffees, ensuring a memorable end – it was the latest goal in a Merseyside derby in the Premier League since data collection began (since 2006/07). “A brilliant finish for us. To end the last Goodison Merseyside derby and score in the last minute is fitting in a way,” said coach David Moyes in an interview with TNT Sports.
The goal should also have saved the Everton fans from gloating: if the center-back hadn’t scored late, the Reds would have celebrated more derby wins at Goodison Park than the hosts – so the direct comparison ended with 41 wins each (38 draws). The Toffees celebrated accordingly. Some supporters jumped onto the field after the goal and hugged the players. “Listen to the noise in the stands, it’s incredible. They will remember this,” said Tarkowski.
But first, the ecstasy was followed by great trepidation because of the VAR. In the anxious minutes, the scorer had an uneasy feeling. “I don’t score many goals, so I thought it was typical that the goal wouldn’t be recognized,” explained the 32-year-old.
Ultimately, however, his gut feeling deceived him, making him the last Merseyside derby goalscorer at the “Grand Old Lady”. “He scored a great goal tonight that will go down in history,” Moyes noted. From next season, a new era will begin at Everton Stadium, which was built at Bramley-Moore Docks.
