Everton have emerged victorious from the 214th Merseyside derby with a convincing 2-0 win over Liverpool.
Goals in either half from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta handed bragging rights to the blue half of the city following another pulsating encounter which has left Roy Hodgson feeling the heat on the other side of Stanley Park even more.
All the pre-match press ahead of this clash centred round the arrival of Liverpool’s new owners, but after 94 typically fiery minutes at Goodison Park, it was Everton who celebrated a changing of the guard as they swept aside their neighbours in a comprehensive victory.
Everton dominated a first half in which Liverpool struggled to maintain possession and quite what new Reds owners John Henry and Thomas Werner, watching on from the directors’ box, would have made of their side’s one-dimensional approach in their first game as custodians remains to be seen.
The Blues have found themselves dominated in the opening exchanges of this fixture too many times in recent years, but today they showed a ruthless edge, looking to pounce on the inadequacies of Roy Hodgson's confidence-shot side.
John Heitinga was pushed into midfield after Phil Jagielka's eleventh hour inclusion and he showed the combative spirit which characterised Everton's early play.
And it was the recently recovered Jagielka who should have opened the scoring when a deflected Leon Osman shot fell kindly to him inside 12 yards, but the centre half could only swing inexpertly at the loose ball sending it high into the Gwladys Street end.
Everton's reward for their dominance came just over half an hour in when Seamus Coleman set off on a typically mazy run, ending in a half-blocked cross which Tim Cahill lashed in from 12 yards.
David Moyes, in his post-match press conference, described the opening goal in a derby as 'massive', and so it proved to be as his team went from strength to strength.
Despite being forced into a change at half time, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov replacing the injured Osman, Everton carried their first half momentum into the second.
A corner from the newly-introduced Russian was headed away tamely by Sotirios Kyrgiakos to an unmarked Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard caught hold of a wicked shot from 23 yards which gave his fellow countryman no chance, and sent Everton into a winning lead in the 50th minute.
Hodgson's side had more of a say in the second half as Everton dropped deeper, looking decidedly leggy after their first hour's exertions.
But with Fernando Torres still looking all at sea, the Reds failed to threaten Tim Howard's goal.
Torres' best chance came with just three minutes to go when he showed a flash of the brilliance he is revered for. Some fantastic footwork earned the striker space inside a crowded penalty area, but once again the finish was sub-standard and Tim Howard beat away the close-range shot.
Ironic cries of "Going down" rang out from the jubilant Everton faithful as their team cruised towards victory, and even though Liverpool look a long way of relegation form, their fans left Goodison Park aghast at how easily their rivals claimed three points.
Everton's man of the match was undoubtedly Yakubu, who dispelled any doubts of his ability to play the solo role up-front. In a magnificent display of strength and composure, the Nigerian held the ball up well and kept moves alive at vital periods.
Hodgson had previously appealed to fans and media alike to give him ten games to turn things around. Liverpool currently lie 19th in the Barclays Premier League after just eight games, which could spell the end for the 63-year-old’s short-lived Anfield tenure.
EVERTON (4-5-1): Howard, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Neville, Heitinga (Hibbert 72), Osman (Bilyaletdinov 45), Arteta, Coleman, Cahill, Yakubu. Subs (not used): Mucha, Gaueye, Mustafi, Baxter.
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky, Gerrard, Lucas (Ngog 71), Maxi (Jovanovic 89), Meireles, Cole (Babel 79), Torres. Subs (not used): Jones, Aurelio, Kelly, Spearing.
GOALS: Cahill (34), Arteta (50)
BOOKINGS: Maxi, Cahill, Meireles, Torres, Beckford.
REFEREE: Howard Webb
ATTENDANCE: 39,673
MATCH STATS
POSSESSION: Everton 56% Liverpool 44%
SHOTS: Everton 9 Liverpool 16
ON TARGET: Everton 6 Liverpool 10
CORNERS: Everton 8 Liverpool 7
FOULS: Everton 10 Liverpool 10
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