Liverpool 1-1 Everton
(Gerrard 65: Jagielka 90)
44,511
Here's a sentence I never thought Id type. Phil Jagielka equalised in front of the Kop in stoppage time with a 30 yard volley. Cue a fucking explosion in the Anfield Road End, what a fucking moment.
For the majority of the day, it was a pretty frustrating day where I always felt we should have done better, but in the circumstances, being 1-0 down to a typical fluky Liverpool bastards of a free kick that should never have been given, wiping the smiles off their inbred faces in the manner we did was pretty fucking sweet. Team selection didnt exactly do much for the already dead optimism among Blues fans, Besic getting his first start in a negative midfield, and Hibbert getting his first League start in nearly 2 years at right back. At least it meant Stones and Jagielka played centre half together, and it did make a difference to the last 2 games in that respect, as we were excellent at the back. McCarthy seemed to be doubling up in defence too, just doing the tight marking jobs on the danger men, to the extent Sterling and Markovic were pretty quiet. Looked like we should have had a penalty for a foul on Lukaku early on, havent seen it again yet, but Ill bet everything I have that it would have been given at the other end no questions asked. Liverpool were doing their usual screaming for handball and pens themselves minutes later, and shock fucking horror, the ref actually didnt give them what they wanted for once. Couple of routine saves for both keepers in the first half, we were looking pretty good, until just our luck, Mirallas made a run into the box and pulled his bloody hamstring. Lukaku last year at Anfield, Mirallas this year, classic Everton. McGeady came on, but I dont think we ever had the same kind of threat going forward once Mirallas went off, Lukaku was stuck out on th wing and all the balls were going to him, but then he was having to try and do it all himself because there was nobody else that far forward. The longer it went on, the more it felt like them bastards were going to get their obligatory fluke goal, and so it happened. Balotelli clearly taking out Barry, only to then dive when Baines got near him, and of course, the ref bought it every time that cheating prick dived on the floor and cried for a decision. Typical Everton, typical Gerrard turning up when there is a set piece to be taken when he's been anonymous the rest of the game, and Howard conspires to somehow let it in despite seeming to get a strong hand to it. We had a little panic after the goal, and Balotelli failed to take advantage, hitting the bar from Sterling's cross. We regained our composure though, but still looked short up front despite having so much of the ball. Tyias Browning came on at right back for his debut, and gave us a very good option down the right, and Eto'o finally came on with 10 minutes left, probably too late. Or so we thought, as in the first minute of stoppage time, Liverpool could only half clear, and Jagielka absolutely leathered a perfect curling volley into the top corner. It almost seemed to move in slow motion before it finally hit the net, and what a way to save a point!
For the majority of the day, it was a pretty frustrating day where I always felt we should have done better, but in the circumstances, being 1-0 down to a typical fluky Liverpool bastards of a free kick that should never have been given, wiping the smiles off their inbred faces in the manner we did was pretty fucking sweet. Team selection didnt exactly do much for the already dead optimism among Blues fans, Besic getting his first start in a negative midfield, and Hibbert getting his first League start in nearly 2 years at right back. At least it meant Stones and Jagielka played centre half together, and it did make a difference to the last 2 games in that respect, as we were excellent at the back. McCarthy seemed to be doubling up in defence too, just doing the tight marking jobs on the danger men, to the extent Sterling and Markovic were pretty quiet. Looked like we should have had a penalty for a foul on Lukaku early on, havent seen it again yet, but Ill bet everything I have that it would have been given at the other end no questions asked. Liverpool were doing their usual screaming for handball and pens themselves minutes later, and shock fucking horror, the ref actually didnt give them what they wanted for once. Couple of routine saves for both keepers in the first half, we were looking pretty good, until just our luck, Mirallas made a run into the box and pulled his bloody hamstring. Lukaku last year at Anfield, Mirallas this year, classic Everton. McGeady came on, but I dont think we ever had the same kind of threat going forward once Mirallas went off, Lukaku was stuck out on th wing and all the balls were going to him, but then he was having to try and do it all himself because there was nobody else that far forward. The longer it went on, the more it felt like them bastards were going to get their obligatory fluke goal, and so it happened. Balotelli clearly taking out Barry, only to then dive when Baines got near him, and of course, the ref bought it every time that cheating prick dived on the floor and cried for a decision. Typical Everton, typical Gerrard turning up when there is a set piece to be taken when he's been anonymous the rest of the game, and Howard conspires to somehow let it in despite seeming to get a strong hand to it. We had a little panic after the goal, and Balotelli failed to take advantage, hitting the bar from Sterling's cross. We regained our composure though, but still looked short up front despite having so much of the ball. Tyias Browning came on at right back for his debut, and gave us a very good option down the right, and Eto'o finally came on with 10 minutes left, probably too late. Or so we thought, as in the first minute of stoppage time, Liverpool could only half clear, and Jagielka absolutely leathered a perfect curling volley into the top corner. It almost seemed to move in slow motion before it finally hit the net, and what a way to save a point!
Everton Man of the Match
I was torn between three late in the game, John Stones was excellent, James McCarthy superhuman...but I suppose Jagielka has to take it for a near flawless defensive performance, before saving us at the other end. His form since the Arsenal game has deserved it.
