A Night to Remember at Goodison Park
James Tarkowski’s heroic 98th-minute volley secured a dramatic 2-2 draw for Everton against Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, bringing the old stadium to its feet one last time. The centre-back, known more for his defensive prowess, admitted he was as surprised as anyone to see his last-ditch effort fly into the back of the net. The goal, which was initially met with a nail-biting VAR check, ultimately ensured that the historic night had a fittingly memorable finale. "Early on I got a chance at the edge, and I panicked a bit and passed it," Tarkowski recounted. "Late on, I just decided to get myself in the box, it dropped, and I let it go and saw what happens. I saw the ball going wide and thought, ‘last minute, why not.’ It falls to me, and then I let it rip."
The Emotional Weight of the Derby
The game itself was a testament to the intense rivalry between the two Merseyside clubs. Beto gave Everton the lead after just 11 minutes, but Liverpool quickly leveled through Alexis Mac Allister. Mohamed Salah then put the visitors ahead in the second half, setting the stage for a tense and often fiery match. The derby saw six yellow cards before the final whistle and three red cards dished out after it, underscoring the emotional and physical toll of the encounter. Tarkowski’s goal, despite the initial VAR check, was a moment of sheer delight for Everton fans and a fitting send-off for the historic Goodison Park. "I don’t score many, so I thought it would have been typical if it was disallowed," Tarkowski said. "But it’s a real nice moment, and I’m pleased. I had a tough weekend, so it’s nice to get back."
David Moyes’ Reflection on the Derby
Everton manager David Moyes was thrilled to secure a point out of the game, especially in such dramatic fashion. Moyes, who has overseen an upturn in form for the Toffees since his return in January, leading them to three wins and one draw in their last four league games, was asked how this derby ranked among the many he has experienced. "It was right up there, and it was great at the end. The night was made for something to happen," Moyes reflected. "It wasn’t the best game you will ever watch; it was a wee bit of a throwback. It was a bit scrappy on both sides, but more important, we made it that way. Liverpool are an incredibly talented team and are proving it in the league this year. We had to find a way of making that gap not so big tonight, and I think we did a good job."
The Future of Everton
Despite the draw, Everton’s relegation fears are far from over. The team is currently 15th in the Premier League, 10 points clear of the relegation zone with 14 rounds remaining. Moyes was cautious about complacency. "No, I wish," he said. "We have to pick up points regularly between now and the end of the season. We have a group here where we can do it. We lack some quality in areas, and we have to try and fill in at the moment because we have a few injuries. Hopefully, one or two will return in the next three or four weeks, and if we can do that, we’ll get over the line."
The Aftermath: Injuries and Red Cards
The evening was marred by a serious-looking injury to Iliman Ndiaye, who limped off with an apparent knee injury in the first half. Moyes expressed concern about the extent of the injury, saying, "They are going to check it. I think he’s maybe opened his knee, but we’re not sure yet. That was the feeling at the time, that he had maybe done something to his knee." Additionally, Abdoulaye Doucoure received a red card during a late-game melee, which will likely further strain the team’s resources. "I’m disappointed with (Doucoure) because we need him, and we can’t afford it. We’re down on numbers at the moment, and we’re still waiting on others to come back," Moyes added.
A New Era for Everton
The draw against Liverpool marked the end of an era for Everton, as the club prepares to move to its new stadium next season. The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was a fitting tribute to the historic ground, with Tarkowski’s goal etching itself into the annals of football history. As Everton looks to the future, the spirit and determination shown by the team in this derby will be crucial in their bid to avoid relegation and build a strong foundation for the new chapter in the club’s storied history.
