James Tarkowski stunner ensures fitting end to Goodison derbies

In the final minute of additional time in the last-ever Merseyside Derby to be played at Goodison Park, a stunning James Tarkowski volley ensured that this historic, intracity rivalry played out over 120 games and 130 years ended on level terms.

Goodison hosted the inaugural Merseyside Derby on 13 October 1894, Everton having relocated the near-mile across Stanley Park from their original home of Anfield two years prior.

A win would declare Liverpool victors in the all-time record of Goodison Park Merseyside derbies

Well over a century and an encyclopaedia of history later, Liverpool headed to Goodison not only seeking to extend their healthy lead at the summit of the Premier League but knowing that a win would declare them victors in the all-time record of Goodison Park Merseyside derbies (41 wins, 37 draws, and 41 losses).

It was the home side, though, that began the brighter of the two. England international defender Jarrad Branthwaite caught the Liverpool defence off-guard with a cleverly taken quick free kick, playing striker Beto through on goal who made no mistake in slotting home past Alisson Becker.

Yet the Everton lead lasted all of five minutes, Mohamed Salah crossing to Alexis Mac Allister who glanced a fantastic header beyond a helpless Jordan Pickford. Hostilities grew approaching the interval as the two sides traded five yellow cards between them.

Ten minutes after the break Everton really should have reassumed the lead, Idrissa Gana Gueye floating in a magnificent cross to an unmarked Abdoulaye Doucouré who headed wide from close range.

Midway through the second period, Branthwaite thought he had restored the Everton advantage from a corner only to be denied by the assistant’s flag

The Toffees were soon left to feel doubly aggrieved. Conor Bradley somehow avoided a second yellow for hauling down Doucouré on the break while Ibrahima Konaté seemingly shepherded the ball from the box with his arm, yet on both occasions referee Michael Oliver was uninterested.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot was wise to the situation, substituting Bradley before his team were sentenced to ten men.

Midway through the second period, Branthwaite thought he had restored the Everton advantage from a corner only to be denied by the assistant’s flag, and Salah was soon to punish Everton for their combination of missed chances and bad luck.

Substitutes Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones combined in the box before the latter had his curling effort denied by a last-ditch Branthwaite block, only for the ball to fall right into the path of a lurking Salah who took one touch and fired the visitors ahead.

Salah came close to doubling the lead late on, his curling effort from the edge of the box being tipped over by a sprawling Pickford.

And so, the stage was set for the grandstand finish to derby action at this grand old ground.

Tarkowski thumped his volley into the roof of the net to tie the game and indeed the 130-year series

Three minutes after the allotted five had been played, Ukrainian full-back Vitalii Mykolenko hoisted a hopeful ball into the box. Everton has earned their fair share of lady luck, Beto nudged Konaté off balance as the pair were duelling for the header. Tim Iroegbunam flicked the loose ball into the path of an onrushing Tarkowski who thumped his volley into the roof of the net to tie the game and indeed the 130-year series, several Everton fans making their way onto that corner of the pitch in sheer jubilation.

Tarkowski and the home faithful were made to wait an agonising few minutes as the geometers at Stockley Park eventually determined that Doucouré had not encroached into an offside position in the build-up.

Michael Oliver’s full-time whistle was met with a certain enthusiasm from Doucouré, who triggered the scenes that really, we all love to see by celebrating in front of the visiting supporters.

This result only continues Everton’s recent feelgood factor and upward trajectory in the Premier League

Jones then flattened Doucouré in retaliation for his antics, the two being swarmed by players from either team, stewards, and police, both receiving red cards for their troubles. Arne Slot joined in with the fun, too, himself receiving a red card for an aggressive handshake with Michael Oliver.

This result only continues Everton’s recent feelgood factor and upward trajectory in the Premier League following last month’s reappointment of former boss David Moyes. Now effectively clear of relegation worry, Moyes will have one eye on securing the Toffees a top-half finish for the first time in four seasons.

The question remains whether Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock can prove atypical in the field of recent new Premier League stadia and not sacrifice atmosphere and identity for commercial revenue. In the meantime, though, Everton fans will focus on enjoying their final three months and six games at their historic ground.