sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Jarrad Branthwaite played like he has been at this level for a ... trends now
Liverpool's Premier League title bid took a serious hit after being beaten by a better side as Everton won a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park for the first time in almost 14 years.
The victory over Liverpool - thanks to goals in either half from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin - virtually assured Everton's top-flight future after moving eight points clear of Luton with four matches to go.
However, it was a night to forget for Jurgen Klopp as his 'last Merseyside derby dance' ended in tatters, with the defeat coming less than a week after they were knocked out of the Europa League by Atalanta.
Mail Sport's Lewis Steele rates how both Sean Dyche and Klopp's players performed during the Premier League fixture on Wednesday evening.
Everton emerged victorious from the Merseyside derby, beating Liverpool 2-0 at Goodison Park
Jarrad Branthwaite opened the scoring for Everton in the 27th minute of the game, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin (above) extended their lead in the 58th minute
Mail Sport's Lewis Steele rates how both Sean Dyche and Jurgen Klopp 's players performed during the Premier League fixture
Jordan Pickford - 8.5
Showed why he is England’s No 1 with a string of fine saves, especially in the first half. The pick of the bunch was to deny Nunez on 35 minutes but also made big stops against Nunez and Robertson. Pickford was an assertive presence, as usual, when claiming crosses.
Ben Godfrey - 7.5
Has his critics in the Everton fanbase but this was an extremely solid defensive performance from Godfrey, a centre back by trade at right back due to injuries elsewhere. Made some decisive interventions. Missed a good chance at the other end in a
James Tarkowski - 8.5
Not the club captain but a true skipper’s performance, leading by example from the back with an array of significant blocks, tackles and interceptions. Nunez barely had a sniff.
A true skipper’s performance for James Tarkowski, leading by example from the back
Jarrad Branthwaite - 8.5
Marked his 50th Toffees appearance in style with a goal, a well-taken finish after causing problems in earlier set-pieces. Branthwaite is 21 but plays like he has been at this level for a decade, defending with a clever nature that belies his years.
Vitalii Mykolenko - 7
Put in a solid shift to keep Salah very quiet in the first half. Sadly went off injured at the break after a nasty fall in stoppage time.
Idrissa Gana Gueye - 9
The best player on the pitch in the first half. Aggressive in the challenge, relentless running and clever interceptions. The Senegal midfielder seemed to be everywhere and constantly frustrated Liverpool’s attackers.
Idrissa Gana Gueye was the best player on the pitch in the first half on Wednesday night
James Garner - 7.5
Supplemented Gueye well with a bit more focus on getting up the field than usual.
Jack Harrison - 8.5
SO important to this team. Never stops running off the ball as he leads the press. He was influential in possession, too, with a whipped cross after three minutes that could have led to a goal, plus a beautiful pass for the penalty that never was.
Abdoulaye Doucoure - 8
Had an excellent run early in the first half that saw him skip past Alexander-Arnold as if he was not there and then feed Harrison. The midfielder had a huge chance just three minutes into the game as the ball fell to him unmarked in the penalty area but he could not sort his feet out.
Dwight McNeil - 7.5
A solid defensive shift to
