Everton and Liverpool could not be separated on Saturday evening as the 224th Merseyside derby ended in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park.
The visitors created more chances, and went closest to a breakthrough when Jordon Ibe, making only his second Barclays Premier League start, rattled a post with a drive from distance midway through the first half. Steven Gerrard, featuring in what is expected to be his final league derby, also went close on a couple of occasions but even the introduction of Daniel Sturridge early in the second half could not help Liverpool find a winner.
For Everton, it was a 10th consecutive Merseyside derby without victory in all competitions, dating back to their last success in October 2010, and a draw that leaves Roberto Martinez’s men 12th with two BPL wins in 12. Liverpool are five places better off having lost one of their past dozen top-flight matches.
Liverpool were first to threaten in the 10th minute when Joel Robles tipped away a Gerrard free-kick that was heading for the top corner. The visitors suffered a blow when Lucas Leiva had to be withdrawn on the quarter-hour with what looked an injury to his left thigh. He was replaced by Joe Allen.
Two minutes later, Raheem Sterling’s deflected shot rolled across the box and Robles had to rush smartly to deny Ibe from close range. Ibe, a youth academy graduate, went closer in the 27th minute when he raced forward into space and thumped an effort off the left-hand post with Robles beaten.
Kevin Mirallas sent a free-kick narrowly wide from 30 yards at the start of the second half, although Simon Mignolet looked to have it covered at his near post. Liverpool then hit back with Sterling twice shooting straight at Robles before an acrobatic Gerrard effort was headed over his own crossbar by Naismith.
With 55 minutes gone, Brendan Rodgers brought on Sturridge in place of Philippe Coutinho in a bid to break the deadlock. Everton responded with a change of their own as Aaron Lennon, signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day, replaced Mirallas.
With five minutes remaining there was one final chance for the hosts when Seamus Coleman broke through only to see his strike parried behind by Mignolet, as the game ended with honours even.
source:premierleague.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 