L'pool lucky at derby

Liverpool striker Dirk Kyut strokes home his second penalty at the death to give his side a dramatic win over city rivals Everton during their Premiership clash at Goodison Park on Saturday.Photo: AFP

Dirk Kuyt displayed nerves of steel to earn Liverpool a dramatic victory over nine-man Everton as a controversial Merseyside derby ended in a 2-1 win for Rafa Benitez's men at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Benitez's side looked to be heading for defeat against their neighbours when Sami Hyypia's astonishing own goal gave the hosts a first half lead.
But Kuyt kept his cool from the penalty spot to equalise after skipper Steven Gerrard had been fouled by Tony Hibbert in the 54th minute.
Everton were forced to play the final 38 minutes with 10 men after Hibbert was dismissed by referee Mark Clattenburg for his foul on Gerrard.
Yet David Moyes's side looked like holding out for a point before Kuyt won it from the penalty spot with virtually the last kick of an absorbing game after Phil Neville had handled a goal-bound shot by Lucas which earned the Everton captain his marching orders.
The hosts had waited for this game since an ill-advised and graceless outburst from Benitez following February's goalless draw at Anfield.
Annoyed by what he saw as Everton's negativity, rather than focusing on his own team's impotence, Benitez made a reference to "small clubs", much to the fury of all at Goodison Park. The remarks have not been forgotten at Everton.
Stoking the fires ahead of the high stakes encounter, defender Alan Stubbs opted to pour scorn on Liverpool's title credentials, making pointed reference to Benitez's lavish pre-season spending.
With Everton having lost three of their previous four top-flight games and Liverpool's unconvincing form since losing pole position in the table last month, this was a game neither side dared lose and that was demonstrated in a high tempo first half which started slowly before ending with Everton deservedly ahead.
Fernando Torres's absence ensured Andriy Voronin got his first taste of a Merseyside derby and the Ukraine striker went close to making an early breakthrough when his fifth minute shot, following excellent work by Yossi Benayoun, was spilled by Tim Howard.
The first sign of trouble for Liverpool arrived in the 24th minute when keeper Pepe Reina flapped at Leon Osman's cross before Victor Anichebe's header landed on the roof after an inswinging free-kick by Mikel Arteta nine minutes later.
Benitez's side failed to heed the warnings and in the 38th minute Goodison Park erupted when Hyypia gave his own keeper no chance while attempting a clearance. The Finland international, who was criticised for his performance in his side's previous outing against Tottenham, volleyed past a shocked Reina after Everton defender Joleon Lescott had flicked on a cross by Stubbs.
Liverpool were clearly shell-shocked and four minutes later their defence was again in tatters when Leon Osman narrowly failed to double Everton's lead following a super move involving Phil Neville and Lescott.
Yet the visitors were gifted an undeserved equaliser in the early stages of the second half when Gerrard was hauled down by Hibbert just as the England midfielder was about to shoot inside the area.
Kuyt kept his cool to send Howard the wrong way - the Dutch striker's first Premier League goal of the season.
Hibbert was ordered off by the referee - the 15th player to be handed his marching orders in 31 Merseyside derbies.
Voronin and Momo Sissoko then spurned glorious chances to win it for Liverpool before the most dramatic of finishes resulted in Everton finishing with nine men and Benitez's side snatching all three points.
Everton looked like holding out for a draw when Liverpool substitute Lucas let fly with a goal bound effort which beat Howard but was kept out by the hands of Neville.
Referee Clattenburg had no choice but to send Neville off and Kuyt stepped up to give Liverpool one of the most dramatic victories in Merseyside derby history.