Everton's tribal triumph

Everton's tribal triumph

by Michael Calvin of "The Daily Telegraph"

Ignore the heresy of stripping a memorable occasion of its heady emotion and the wider importance of Everton's tribal triumph at Anfield becomes clear.

Rarely in the turbulent history of Mersey rivalry, which encompasses 131 derby matches over 90 years, have their strengths found a more significant echo in Liverpool's weaknesses.

Reid, the dominant figure in a game played with ferocious intensity, has the intelligence and application which exploited Liverpool's haphazard approach in midfield.

Sudden vulnerability

Dalglish offered rare flashes of coherent form, but the void left by Souness remains singularly unfilled.

The manner in which the champions' defence, normally built around Lawrenson, has been undermined by its sudden vulnerability is epitomised by Neal. He was fortunate not to concede a goal, presented Reid with a simple, but squandered opportunity and found his struggle emphasised by the assured contribution of Stevens, the Everton defender.

The safe handling and utter dependability of Southall contrasts with the eccentricities of Grobbelaar who, for all his occasional brilliance, continues to represent an avoidable risk.

In attack Liverpool, with Rush clearly not match fit, lack individual invention. But at least their defeat was dignified by a brilliant solo goal by Sharp, whose control and instant volley three minutes into the second half was the product of telling self-confidence.

The air of disbelief which hung over the subsequent celebrations was given credence by some startling statistics.

Liverpool, 17th in the First Division, have not scored in the last four League matches and must go back to Sept. 4 for their last League victory.

Copyright - Daily Telegraph