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Everton defeated Liverpool 2-0 at home in the Merseyside derby, denting their Premier League title aspirations.
The Toffees took the lead in the 27th minute when Jarrad Branthwaite’s shot slipped under Alisson Becker.
Sean Dyche’s team withstood Liverpool’s onslaught at the end of the first half before doubling their lead with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 58th-minute header.
Although Luis Diaz rattled the post, the Reds were unable to claw their way back into the game, allowing Everton to enjoy their first home win in a Merseyside derby since October 2010.
After suffering his first defeat at Goodison Park, Jurgen Klopp’s ambitions of winning a league title in his final season as Liverpool manager are now dangling by a thread.
Everton lead the Derby as Branthwaite scores vital opener
The hosts believed they had an early opportunity to grab the lead when referee Andy Madley pointed to the spot after Alisson hauled down Calvert-Lewin.
However, the home fans’ excitement turned to anguish as replays revealed Calvert-Lewin had drifted into an offside position, denying Everton the opportunity to take the penalty.
Just over ten minutes later, James Tarkowski met Dwight McNeil’s floated free kick and nodded the ball across goal for Calvert-Lewin to attack, but Allison made an instinctive save to keep the header out.
Everton’s constant pressure paid off just before the half-hour mark, when Branthwaite scored his third goal of the season after Liverpool failed to clear their lines from a free kick.
The ball nicely broke to the Everton defender, who managed to get his shot past Alisson and across the line.
After a poor start, Liverpool created their first serious chance in the 35th minute when Darwin Nunez found himself one-on-one with Jordan Pickford, but his shot went straight at the England international.
As the first half came to a close, Nunez passed the ball to Duiz, who forced a good save from Everton’s goalie.
Everton vs Liverpool
Calvert-Lewin doubles Everton’s lead.
After Everton took a slender lead into the break, McNeil led Everton’s pursuit of a second goal, with his powerful shot eliciting a brilliant fingertip stop from Alisson.
However, there was little the Liverpool goalie could do to prevent Calvert-Lewin from scoring from the following corner.
The Everton striker rose above everyone in the box to meet McNeil’s deep corner and power a header past the Brazilian shot-stopper.
With a two-goal deficit to overcome, Diaz came agonisingly close to equalizing, only to see his right-foot shot crash into the far post.
Despite Harvey Elliott’s late shot forcing Pickford into a brilliant save, Everton managed to finish the game with minimal fuss and win three valuable points.
Despite receiving an eight-point deduction, the Toffees are on the verge of securing safety, with eight points separating them from the bottom three.
Liverpool could slide to third place if Manchester City wins at least one point at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.
The Reds will need to regroup for Saturday’s away game against West Ham United, but Everton will be riding high heading into their home game against Brentford.
