Everton 2-0 Liverpool

Everton took the spoils in the 214th Merseyside derby as they piled the misery on their struggling neighbours at Goodison Park.

Goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta ensured the Blues secured their first league derby win for over four years.

David Moyes' men were good value for the points as they dominated the contest for long periods and comfortably dealt with anything the lacklustre Reds could throw at them.

Cahill's emphatic finish opened the scoring before the break and Mikel Arteta's sweet strike early in the second half ensured Liverpool remain in the relegation zone with just six points from their opening eight games.

It was Everton's first home league win of the campaign and piled the pressure on Reds boss Roy Hodgson.

Everton received a pre-match boost when Phil Jagielka was passed fit, while Fernando Torres started for Liverpool after recovering from a groin strain.

It had been a momentous week for the Reds with New England Sports Ventures finally taking over the club after a bitter battle in the courts.

But their fans' joy at finally seeing the back of Tom Hicks and George Gillett was shortlived as the visitors were outfought and outclassed during the opening 45 minutes

New owners John Henry and Tom Werner watched on from the directors box as Everton started the brighter of the two sides and pinned Liverpool back in their own half.

Roared on by the vociferous home crowd, the Blues wasted a great chance to break the deadlock in the 12th minute. Mikel Arteta's 20-yard free-kick was blocked by the wall but the Reds failed to clear the danger.

Leon Osman's shot deflected into the path of Jagielka but he blazed wastefully over from inside the box.

Everton continued to press with Sylvain Distin seeing his effort deflected behind after the ball dropped to him in the box.

Maxi Rodriguez became the first player in Howard Webb's notebook after he chopped down Leighton Baines close to the touchline.

The Reds had barely got out of their own half but they finally started to pose a threat midway through the first period.

Torres rose to meet Joe Cole's cross from the left and his header was turned behind by Tim Howard.

Seconds later Sotirios Kyrgiakos nodded the ball down to Lucas Leiva but he failed to hit the target.

However, that proved to be only brief respite for Liverpool as the Blues were soon back in the ascendancy.

Yakubu tested Reina after a powerful run before Cahill and Raul Meireles joined Rodriguez in the book for poor challenges.

The goal Everton deserved finally arrived in the 34th minute. The impressive Seamus Coleman raced down the right and pulled the ball back to Cahill who hammered the ball into the net from six yards

It was the Aussie's fifth goal in league derbies and made him Everton's leading post-war scorer in league clashes with the Reds, beating the record he had shared with Duncan Ferguson.

The hosts remained in control until the interval with Leon Osman forcing another save from Reina.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov replaced Osman after the break and the Blues doubled their lead in the 49th minute.

Kyrgiakos' defensive header fell to Arteta on the edge of the box and he took a touch before lashing a drive past Reina.

Goodison erupted and Everton were good value for their two-goal advantage.

Liverpool never looked likely to get back in the contest and were restricted to long range efforts from Meireles, Cole and Gerrard.

Blues keeper Howard only had one serious save to make and that was when he parried a low drive from Torres.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.