As the International Break came to an end, Premier League fans set their sight on the return of club football, in particular the Premier League. After much anxiety, Premier League Football is well and truly back. The first game played after the International Break was expected to be quite a feisty affair; and it certainly lived up to it’s expectation.
A late Daniel Sturridge equaliser salvaged a 3-3 draw for Liverpool against Everton in Saturday’s dramatic Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Liverpool began the game very strongly indeed. The scoring started after just five minutes. Steven Gerrard swung over a cross from the left. The Englishman found Suarez and although he could not get the significant touch to direct it goalwards, Philippe Coutinho could, he smashed home a shot at the far post.
The ideal start for Liverpool, a nightmare for Everton. However, Mirallas brought Everton level just two minutes later, when Barkley knocked the ball down from Baines’ set-piece and it found the Belgian, who turned the ball past fellow countryman Simon Mignolet.
Everton’s joy was short lived, though, as Liverpool regained their advantage on 19 minutes. Luis Suarez was fouled by James McCarthy just outside the Everton box. The referee handed Liverpool a vital free-kick. Suarez picked himself up to curl a brilliant free-kick through the tiny gap left between the end of the wall and Steven Pienaar who had attempted to block the shot. A great goal from a great player.
Of Course, there can’t be a game of this magnitude without a pinch of controversy. And this game was no exception as when Mirallas ignited what could have been a pivotal moment when he clattered into Suarez’s right knee, 10 minutes before the interval, as the pair challenged for the ball leaving his opponent in a heap on the floor.
Liverpool ended the first-half with a slight advantage over their rivals. They led 2-1 at half time. Luis Suarez, the scorer of the second goal, limped off.
The second half started on a sour note for Everton as they were forced to substitute, an injured looking Baines, after just a few minutes of the restart. Gerard Deulofeu, the substitute for the injured Leighton Baines, had the first chance of the second half, shooting straight at Mignolet when he was one-on-one with the Belgian keeper. Then Liverpool had a golden opportunity to put the game to bed, through Joe Allen. The fantastic Luis Suarez dribbled and weaved his way through the Everton defence and Allen, who was starting in his first Premier League match since March, put the ball wide from close-range whilst Howard was on the ground.
Mignolet frustrated a confident Romelu Lukaku with two impressive saves before eventually the Everton striker drew the hosts level, side-footing home from inside the area in the 72nd minute. Still the chances continued to come; Howard produced a brilliant block to keep out Suarez’s close-range header and Mignolet denying Deulofeu. But there was no stopping Lukaku’s powerful header from a corner – taken by Mirallas – eight minutes from time to score what seemed to be the winning goal.
Seven minutes is a long time in a Merseyside derby, especially in one as lively and fast-flowing game as this. And, this fact was proven when, Daniel Sturridge, who came on as a sub equalised late on, in the 89th minute. Even after this equaliser, both sides continued to have their fair share of chances.
It was quite a game, and while a point each was only fair, both sides could reasonably claim they did enough to win. For entertainment value, it was simply amazing. Overall, a incredible way to start another encapsulating and exciting weekend of Premier League football.
Written by @EPLNews247
A late Daniel Sturridge equaliser salvaged a 3-3 draw for Liverpool against Everton in Saturday’s dramatic Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Liverpool began the game very strongly indeed. The scoring started after just five minutes. Steven Gerrard swung over a cross from the left. The Englishman found Suarez and although he could not get the significant touch to direct it goalwards, Philippe Coutinho could, he smashed home a shot at the far post.
The ideal start for Liverpool, a nightmare for Everton. However, Mirallas brought Everton level just two minutes later, when Barkley knocked the ball down from Baines’ set-piece and it found the Belgian, who turned the ball past fellow countryman Simon Mignolet.
Everton’s joy was short lived, though, as Liverpool regained their advantage on 19 minutes. Luis Suarez was fouled by James McCarthy just outside the Everton box. The referee handed Liverpool a vital free-kick. Suarez picked himself up to curl a brilliant free-kick through the tiny gap left between the end of the wall and Steven Pienaar who had attempted to block the shot. A great goal from a great player.
Of Course, there can’t be a game of this magnitude without a pinch of controversy. And this game was no exception as when Mirallas ignited what could have been a pivotal moment when he clattered into Suarez’s right knee, 10 minutes before the interval, as the pair challenged for the ball leaving his opponent in a heap on the floor.
Liverpool ended the first-half with a slight advantage over their rivals. They led 2-1 at half time. Luis Suarez, the scorer of the second goal, limped off.
The second half started on a sour note for Everton as they were forced to substitute, an injured looking Baines, after just a few minutes of the restart. Gerard Deulofeu, the substitute for the injured Leighton Baines, had the first chance of the second half, shooting straight at Mignolet when he was one-on-one with the Belgian keeper. Then Liverpool had a golden opportunity to put the game to bed, through Joe Allen. The fantastic Luis Suarez dribbled and weaved his way through the Everton defence and Allen, who was starting in his first Premier League match since March, put the ball wide from close-range whilst Howard was on the ground.
Mignolet frustrated a confident Romelu Lukaku with two impressive saves before eventually the Everton striker drew the hosts level, side-footing home from inside the area in the 72nd minute. Still the chances continued to come; Howard produced a brilliant block to keep out Suarez’s close-range header and Mignolet denying Deulofeu. But there was no stopping Lukaku’s powerful header from a corner – taken by Mirallas – eight minutes from time to score what seemed to be the winning goal.
Seven minutes is a long time in a Merseyside derby, especially in one as lively and fast-flowing game as this. And, this fact was proven when, Daniel Sturridge, who came on as a sub equalised late on, in the 89th minute. Even after this equaliser, both sides continued to have their fair share of chances.
It was quite a game, and while a point each was only fair, both sides could reasonably claim they did enough to win. For entertainment value, it was simply amazing. Overall, a incredible way to start another encapsulating and exciting weekend of Premier League football.
Written by @EPLNews247