'The better side lost' Merseyside derby
The players will have woken up on Monday morning wondering where it went wrong against an average Liverpool side. Glorious spring sunshine, a coach welcome for the ages and an atmosphere within Hill Dickinson Stadium to match. Sadly, the disallowed Iliman Ndiaye goal, shortly followed by the Liverpool opener, sucked the air out of the stadium, meaning the remainder of the half left us hoping not to concede another.
[BBC] [Getty Images] An opportunity missed. It's as simple as that. The players will have woken up on Monday morning wondering where it went wrong against an average Liverpool side.
The officiating was questionable, but that was only part of the story. The day felt primed for an Everton win. Glorious spring sunshine, a coach welcome for the ages and an atmosphere within Hill Dickinson Stadium to match.
The players seemed to feed off the fans early on, with an intensity and purpose that matched the energetic Evertonians. Sadly, the disallowed Iliman Ndiaye goal, shortly followed by the Liverpool opener, sucked the air out of the stadium, meaning the remainder of the half left us hoping not to concede another. Everton have shown plenty of heart this season, coming from behind to pick up points.
The intent shown at the beginning of the second half was indicative of that resilience, with the Beto equaliser not only deserved, but expected. Our disappointment stems from not being able to kick on and ultimately test Freddie Woodman in the Liverpool goal. The loss of the inspired Beto and – more concerning – the dominant Jarrad Branthwaite, were two pivotal moments that shifted the momentum in the game.