Everton, Liverpool share points in dramatic derby

SUPER Eagles forward Alex Iwobi was involved as a late substitute in Saturday’s thrilling 2-2 Premier League Merseyside derby draw between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.

The Nigerian came off the bench in the 78th minute for Abdoulaye Doucoure and three minutes later Everton were level.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah scored Liverpool’s goals while Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted for Everton.

Everton had to come from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League but Liverpool were denied a stoppage-time winner by the video assistant referee.

Mane put visitors Liverpool ahead in the third minute with a smart finish after a neat build-up. Soon afterwards a wild challenge by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford on Virgil van Dijk, committed after an offside decision, saw the defender having to go off injured with VAR failing to review the tackle.

Everton, who had won their previous seven games in all competitions, equalised swiftly at Goodison Park when Keane headed in a corner from the outstanding James Rodriguez.

Liverpool, with Thiago Alcantara at the heart of everything, were back in front with 18 minutes left when Salah volleyed in Yerry Mina’s poor clearance to set up a frantic finale, with only Pickford’s magnificent save from Joel Matip’s header keeping Everton in the hunt.

Calvert-Lewin’s towering header restored parity with nine minutes left but Everton were then reduced to 10 men when Richarlison was sent off for a wild challenge on Thiago.

Liverpool thought they had won it in stoppage time when Pickford could not keep out Jordan Henderson’s shot – but in a finish to match the chaotic nature of the game, Mane was adjudged to be offside after a lengthy wait for the VAR decision.