The last Goodison Park Merseyside derby ever exploded into chaos in added time to leave Everton fans celebrating one of the most memorable crescendos to a game in the old stadium’s history. Here is a minute-by-minute breakdown of a breathtaking dying moments which left home fans in ecstasy:
92 mins
Liverpool, having secured their lead via Mohamed Salah, are cruising. A clash of heads between Carlos Alcaraz and Jarrad Branthwaite, leaves both players going down and the match appears to be drifting away from Everton.
97 min and eight seconds
Everton are reduced to hit and hope. Vitalii Mykolenko bustles his way down the left and sends a looping, hopeful ball which bounces once and Tim Iroegbunam glances a header beyond his marker.
97 min and ten seconds
The ball drops for James Tarkowski on the right side of the box nine yards out and he absolutely rockets it into the top corner. Goodison Park explodes with elation at the most dramatic of last-second equalisers.
97 min 50
Goodison Park is in delirium at the equaliser and there is a small pitch invasion in the corner where Tarkowski had been celebrate. The stadium announcer warns fans they are breaking the law for breaching the pitch as the stewards do their best to protect the corner flag which had been unearthed in the carnage.
98 mins
Michael Oliver informs the players a lengthy VAR check is taking place plunging the entire stadium into confusion. Liverpool initially appeal for a foul, but the main point of contention is whether Virgil van Dijk body position is keeping Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure onside. It’s a wafer thin call. VAR also check and clear a possible Doucoure push on Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
99 mins
After what seems like an eternal wait, the goal is given and the stadium erupts, with even more pitch invasion and clashes between the players.
100 mins
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones clash as the Everton midfielder celebrates in front of the Liverpool fans.
This sparks a melee as players from both sides and police get involved.
Both players are sent off by Michael Oliver before Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff are also shown red as they marched on to the Goodison turf to remonstrate with Oliver.
