Everton clinched a thrilling 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, with goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. This win dealt a blow to Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title.
It was Everton’s first home derby victory in over 13 years, and it halted Liverpool’s chance to catch up with league leaders Arsenal. With this loss, Liverpool now trails Arsenal by three points with only four games left to play. Manchester City, the reigning champions, remain in control of the title race with 73 points and two games in hand.
Everton’s win also helped them secure a safer position in the league, eight points above the relegation zone. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, acknowledging that they need to improve if they want to challenge for the title. Everton dominated the match from the start, with Branthwaite opening the scoring in the 27th minute after capitalizing on defensive errors from Liverpool. Calvert-Lewin doubled Everton’s lead with a header from a corner kick in the 58th minute.
Despite Liverpool’s efforts to mount a comeback late in the game, Everton’s defense held firm. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made crucial saves to secure the victory for Everton, much to the delight of the fans at Goodison Park.
The defeat was a setback for Liverpool, who had high possession and numerous shots on target but failed to convert their chances. While they won the League Cup earlier in the season, the Premier League title remains their main target after exiting the FA Cup and Europa League.
