The Irony of Storm Darragh
In December, the Merseyside Derby was postponed due to dangerous and adverse weather conditions brought on by Storm Darragh. It is somewhat ironic, then, that the post-match scenes at Goodison Park on Wednesday night caused such carnage on the streets of Liverpool. The match, which was the last Merseyside Derby to be held at the historic stadium, was fraught with tension and drama. After the final whistle, a series of events unfolded that saw four red cards, brawls, fans on the pitch, bottles thrown from the stands, and eight arrests made by the police. Walking away from Goodison Park just before midnight was like stepping into a post-apocalyptic movie. The ground was littered with fireworks, smashed glass, and empty beer cans. Despite the chaos outside, Evertonians headed to their favorite watering holes to celebrate, while hundreds were seen singing at Kirkdale station at 11 PM, taunting Liverpool supporters.
The Calm Before the Storm
The calm before the storm came when David Moyes took his squad to Goodison Park at about 3 PM, almost like taking a squadron to the battlefield before the war. They did a very light training session, and Moyes gave them an almighty pep talk. He emphasized the importance of the fixture and its significance to the loyal fanbase who have stuck by the team through good and, more recently, bad times. Moyes spoke about giving the Old Lady a famous send-off and replicating the passion from the terraces on the pitch. At this point, the Winslow Pub was already packed with nervous punters, and Sky Sports News was live outside the ground talking to fans. Moyes had achieved his aim of giving his team a feel for the occasion and what it means to the city. From that moment on, it was a night of chaos on and off the pitch.
The Siege at Goodison Park
When Everton’s team bus returned to the stadium at around 5:45 PM, they were greeted by thousands of fans singing and lighting the early evening sky blue. A man played bagpipes to greet them, and Moyes was reportedly taken aback by the reception, which was louder and more partisan than he had ever seen in his several decades in the game. The atmosphere outside the ground was electric, with supporters on Goodison Road lighting fireworks and climbing atop street signs. It felt like the Premier League leaders were walking into a cauldron of noise and hostility, daring to peep behind enemy lines. The press box was packed, and the sense of occasion was palpable as the teams prepared for the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
The Match: A Night of Chaos
The match began with Beto firing Everton ahead after just 11 minutes, and the ground shook with the intensity of the fans’ celebration. The press box was so tight that movement was nearly impossible, a reflection of the media interest in this historic event. Despite not playing at their best, Arne Slot’s Liverpool looked set to win the game after goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah made it 2-1. However, in the 98th minute, James Tarkowski came up with one of the greatest derby moments in history, equalizing with a thunderous strike. The noise when the ball hit the back of the net was a microcosm of 131 years of Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park. Tarkowski, the stand-in skipper, was mobbed by fans and stewards as the ground erupted in euphoria.
The Aftermath: A Free-for-All
The full-time whistle sparked a full-blown brawl as Abdoulaye Doucoure ran over to goad the Liverpool fans. Curtis Jones charged over to confront Doucoure, and the two were sent off for their actions. The commotion quickly escalated, with players from both sides piling in. Arne Slot, visibly frustrated, sought out the referee, Michael Oliver, and was also sent off, along with his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff. Virgil van Dijk had to pull Slot away from the commotion. The Premier League and the FA are reviewing the events to determine further actions, and both teams are likely to face a probe for failing to control their players. Merseyside Police made eight arrests, including for tackles on the pitch and disorderly behavior, and an investigation is ongoing to identify individuals who threw bottles onto the pitch.
The Lasting Impact
The 245th Merseyside Derby and the last at Goodison Park served up a fitting level of drama. Evertonians celebrated as they prevented an agonizing defeat, and David Moyes and his players rejoiced in the stands. Arne Slot, though furious, was sent off and may face a ban. Despite the loss of two crucial points, Liverpool remains seven points clear at the top of the table. The walk back into town was a sea of Everton fans singing and celebrating, a moment that will live on in the memories of all those present. Whether you are an old and gray fan or a kid at your first derby, this night will be remembered as a defining moment in Merseyside football history.
