Everton 2 – 2 Liverpool: Suarez denied last gasp winner

Everton fought back from two goals down in an entertaining Merseyside derby at Goodison Park as Liverpool were forced to settle for a point when Luis Suarez’s injury time goal was wrongly disallowed.

Going into the match Everton knew a win for them would move them nine points ahead of Liverpool after just nine games played, so the incentive to win was there for both teams.

And it was reds of Merseyside who drew first blood.

Jose Enrique’s blistering run forward was found by Joe Allen and his cross was missed by Raheem Sterling, who looked to be fouled by Leighton Baines, but Luis Suarez was waiting, unmarked, at the far post and his strike was deflected in off the unfortunate Baines.

David Moyes had said in the days preceding the match that he feared Suarez’s diving would haunt Everton and Suarez made the point by running over to Moyes and diving right in front him.

Liverpool didn’t have to wait long for their second. Steven Gerrard curled in a gem of a free-kick and Suarez was left unmarked to head home.

Everton hit back just before half time as Brad Jones’ weak punch found Leon Osman lurking at the edge of the box and he struck low into the corner.

The momentum turned its attention to Everton and they soon equalised with a great cross by Maroaune Fellani on the left finding Steven Naismith who tapped home easily.

The second half could have easily seen a Luis Suarez red card for an inexcusable stamp on Sylvan Distin, and he nearly haunted Everton again in the dying minutes with a perfectly good goal, which was disallowed for offside.

Liverpool will be left ruing the official’s decision, but a draw was a fair reflection on an enthralling Merseyside derby.

Man of the Match: Luis Suarez was at his best.

Paul Jones, football correspondent