Reds restore Merseyside pride

Liverpool restored some pride in a disappointing season to date with a 2-0 victory over fierce Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

A match usually associated with passion and pride took on a new edge given the struggles of both sides, but it was Rafa Benitez's men who recorded what will be a massive win after a Joseph Yobo own goal and a second half tap-in from Dirk Kuyt.
 
The prelude to the encounter had focused upon the cloud of misery loitering over Merseyside, with both teams failing to meet respective ambitions in the Premier League and Liverpool having crashed out of the UEFA Champions League.
 
Everton would therefore argue that Liverpool's opener epitomised recent luck, while their neighbours would claim Yobo deflecting a Javier Mascherano shot into his own net in the 12th minute was a first piece of good fortune in several weeks.
 
David Moyes' men responded and enjoyed the better of the first half, having two goals correctly disallowed for offside, but they were fortunate not to be two behind at the interval after Tim Howard saved and Emiliano Insua header.
 
The second half followed suit, but was marked by the low confidence and form of both teams as the only real moment of quality was Jose Reina's sensational double stop from Tim Cahill's header and Marouane Fellaini's follow-up.
 
Everton, who had planning permission for a new stadium rejected by the government in midweek, were then further punished as Kuyt applied the second goal after Howard had failed to hold an effort from substitute Albert Riera in the 80th minute.

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