I'd always envied Scousers' hatred of Evertonians. Not having to deal with them day in day out in my sheltered existence back home in Shrewsbury, I'd always thought "surely they can't be that bad?" Since moving to Liverpool to embark on life as a bum, cleverly under the guise of a 'student' in September, I've felt a certain something growing, rising from the pit of my stomach. On Saturday 23rd February 2002, I found out what it was. For months and months we have been told, the hateful, racist Evertonians are just a minority, a few bad apples in an otherwise vintage orchard. On Saturday at least half of the 4,000 Evertonians in the Anny Road end disgraced themselves, their club and the game of football itself. Due to their hateful, spiteful singing of "Hou had a heart attack?" I now have that hatred of Everton I have craved.
As for the game itself, it was a little strange. Hardly the most competitive and passionate Derby of all time, but for probably the 150th time out of the 166 Derby's to date, the match was nothing to write home about.¤ The first half was a total non-entity. Without Steven Gerrard, Liverpool were unable to take full control over the game and as a result, the relatively lightweight Everton midfield were able to compete.
Due to Everton's own policy of defending on their six yard box Michael Owen was forced to drop deep to pick up the ball, which basically nullified any threat he was to cause.
Liverpool's main threat came through French star Nicolas Anelka, who failed to put a foot wrong for the entire 90 minutes. His electric pace and delectable skills would have torn the Blueshite apart, if given the right service but unfortunately Gary Mac took on the role of playmaker with very little success.
There was a huge case for Murphy to start in the middle in place of the injured Steven Gerrard. In such a high pace environment, there was always a chance that the game may pass the ageing Scotsman by. It did.
The marauding John Arne Riise acted as the Reds main outlet, down the left hand side, but more often than not he was crudely hacked down by young full-back Peter Clarke, who finally earned himself a booking on the stroke of half-time. That Clarke is about as useful as tits on a boar.
Riise is a tough son of a bitch though, unlike Heskey who also has the physio on every game for no real reason, Riise seems to get beat up week in week out and is still bombarding down the wing for 90 minutes. I believe the expression is 'takes a licking and keeps on ticking'
Despite the relative lack of filthy challenges going in, the first half was not without its needle. Owen and Wier had a right old tussle, with Michael giving a good as he got and Abel seeming determined to get into a fight of some kind!
Xavier's debut was really a side issue, and although inevitably booed by the Evertonians he didn't receive half the reception Barmby received in last years fixture. I'm still by no means convinced by Xavier though.
I'd spent most of the first half in fits of rage as a result of sitting far too close to the Blueshite for my liking, who in their cup final were really making themselves heard, occasionally taking a break from spitting evil obscene songs to celebrate a corner kick. And with a distinct lack of first half action and a biting wind swirling around the stands at Anfield, Mr Elleray's half-time whistle was a relief.
Surprisingly, it was Everton's substituteˇs bench which really set the game alight. Thomas 'the rat' Gravesen and Thomas Radzinski were brought on to replace the totally ineffective David Ginola and Linderoth.¤ And six minutes into the half, following a great move involving Gemmill and Pistone, a mis-hit shot from the returning Radzinski somehow crawled past the floundering Chris Kirkland - I donˇt want to get on big Chris' back, but Jerzy would have had it.
Cue the European Cup winning-esque celebrations from the vile army of Blues behind the goal; can't really blame them though - most of them even thought the Blues were in for a hiding.
The goal turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it is doubtful we would have kicked into gear without it. Emile Heskey was immediately sent on in place of Stephen Wright and the in-form striker - operating on the left hand side with the tireless Riise reverting to left back - took little time to make his impact delivering wicked cross just a little too far ahead of Owen who his hit shot high into the Kop. Game on.
The county's number 1 strike duo combined again on 65 minutes as the boy wonder headed Emile's cross wide. This was promising though for Liverpool who really started to turn on the style. Smicer's introduction was perfect to run rings around the pensioners in royal blue.
The Reds persistence eventually paid off as the faultless Danny Murphy - who was given a relatively easy ride from his mindless Anfield critics considering it was Derby day and all, how generous of them! - produced the ball of the match for Anelka to slot home a deserved equaliser for us and Nic personally. I'm made up for him, getting his first premiership goal. Let's hope he continues to produce the goods and earns himself the contract his obvious talent deserves.
Anfield erupted, I personally well lost my head and for about the 10th time this season, nearly trampled all over my poor ma'. Derby day still carries that same emotion for the fans even if it isn't necessarily transferred on to the pitch anymore. Talking of my mum, her usual mild mannered style of supporting was discarded in favour of becoming a relatively foul-mouthed thunderstorm of a woman! I think she hate the blues more than me. Sweet! I'm impressed ma!
From that moment on there was only ever going to be one winner, especially with the magnificent Didi Hamann pulling all of the midfield strings. Although Kirkland was forced into making a fine save from the impressive Thomas Radzinski on 85 minutes, with the Canadian's 25 yard blast forcing England's young keeper to smartly tip around the post. Radzinski gave the blues something extra, basically a pair of legs that aren't over 30 and if fit could be their ticket to yet another season hanging on to their Premiership status by the skin of their teeth.
Kirkland's save was not before Danny Murphy came within a whisker of winning the game for the home side and only a spectacular save from Steve Simonsen prevented SuperDan's header going in.
So from Everton's point of you, a draw in their cup final was a great result, but to us, definitely two points dropped and with all of the other contenders winning (Leeds don't count anymore haha!) it puts a serious dent in our championship hopes, which of course will please the Bitters the most - their cheers when hearing the Utd score at half time is all the evidence I need on that front.
As forgettable as this game will be when the great Derby's are recalled by the nostalgic among us,¤ however the 166th Merseyside Derby will forever be remembered by me. As this was the game that my days of having a reasonably apathetic attitude towards Everton football club ended with aplomb.
Team: Chris Kirkland; Abel Xavier, Stephane Henchoz, Sami Hyypia, Steven Wright (Emile Heskey); Danny Murphy, Didi Hamann, Gary McAllister (Vladimir Smicer), John Arne Riise; Nicolas Anelka, Michael Owen.
