I was bemused by the team selection.  The mid-week hints of drastic squad changes were not borne out.  Only Gerrard and Barmby were victims of a tame reshuffle, Cadamarteri and Southall the beneficiaries.

I detest the feeling I get during a derby.  Usually at the match I shout and scream for the lads with the best of them, but for the derbies, at least until we look safe, I loose it.  I sit in withdrawn silence trying to ignore the knot in my stomach.  I hyperventilated a couple of years ago at one, and I know that if I'm ever going to have a heart attack then it'll be on one of these occasions.  To add to my anxiety I had a 6-ft-5 red sitting behind me who hadn't been told that if you're sitting with the home fans then you might get away with cheering your own team, but to spend the whole 90 minutes foul mouthing your hosts at foghorn volume is pushing your luck to the extreme.  

First Half

The game got going but passed me by, as I pondered what I was actually doing there when I simply wasn't getting one iota of pleasure from it.  I wasn't enjoying the game in the early stages I was enduring it. Unthinkably, I even found myself wishing I was somewhere else and listening on the radio.  Weird.

I was snapped out my trance a couple of times in the half by on-field action.  First Ferguson fed the ball to Oster who slid a controlled 25 yard shot which James couldn't hang on too, the big man got first to the rebound but James was again able to parry, this time it fell to Danny with the whole net in front of him. In his enthusiasm he lifted the ball over.

A second chance wasn't long coming when Ferguson flicked on to Stuart, his quick shot looked goal-bound but for once James managed to pull off a good reaction save.

Liverpool's best chance for a reply was ruined when Fowler and Berger both decided they'd try and connect with the same through-ball. After the chance went begging they had strong words which made for an entertaining side-show.

The action and Everton's dominance had now completely kicked out all thoughts of the mid-week debacle, finally the atmosphere in Goodison had got the full unique thump that only a visit from our neighbours produces. At least it did for the home crowd, the Liverpool supporters where the quietest visitors we've had this season (foghorn man behind me excepted).

Half-time beckoned, Cadamarteri's industry won us a corner.  Hinchcliffe swung it in, James flapped, the deflected ball bounced off Ruddock into the back of the net.  It seemed as good a time as any to break my forty-five minute silence.  That minute long release of emotion defined what football's all about.  We were still in full celebration when the half time whistle went.

Second Half

The second half was a totally different experience for me.  The anxiety and knot in the stomach had gone, the voice, confidence and belief were back.   I was too busy singing to take in all the action, there are a few key events that stick in the mind though.  Stuart's first-class ball picked up Danny, he toyed with his marker showing all his talent before laying it back on a tight angle for Oster to run in and just send wide. Simply a brilliant piece of football.

I was vaguely aware that Liverpool were stepping up the pace a bit, but the introduction of Owen did little to improve their day's display of finishing. His only effort was delightfully woeful.  On the occasions when Liverpool did actually threaten, the Bin-man was twice there to do what he does best, one save with his legs outside the box was top-drawer.

In midfield we were brutal, Ince and McManaman couldn't get in the game, Fowler was (probably is) impotent, the Foreign imported reds didn't look like they could be bothered playing.  Yet again Everton were giving the Kopites a lesson in the meaning of the word 'pride'.

To top it off we were treated to a legendary Goodison moment. Danny, never giving up, laid chase when it looked like Kvarme had the ball covered, Kvarme was quickly dispossessed and Danny was away, only Ruddock chased back to give any cover but the lad second guessed him with a jink and a shot. Magic. Magic. Magic.

I took a moment to scan the view right across the ground from my Front row Top Balcony seat. What a sight. From the Street End, along the Bullens, over to the Park End - -pure uninhibited joy everywhere except the still visitors section.  I tried to get my head round the fact that an hour earlier I wished I was elsewhere.  What a daft bugger.  Right here, right now. I wouldn't be anywhere else in the world.

Carnival is the best way to describe the remainder of the game.  McCann and Ball were introduced for Oster and Cadamarteri.  A Liverpool fan ran the length of the pitch to hurl abuse at Evans before being bundled off the pitch.

Finally each and every successful Everton pass was greeted with an enormous cheer.   "Easy" was chanted with venom.  The final whistle went, Z-cars was blurted out over the PA (a nice touch) and smiles cracked the faces of Evertonians unused to such things of late.  After Z-cars was finished they stuck on the theme tune to 'Tales of the Unexpected' as we floated away from the ground.

A famous victory -- the crunch though is that the standard has now been set.  Such performances twice a season won't save our club.  We need to play like that week-in, week-out and it starts at Coventry next Saturday.

Individual Performances

• Southall 8 - Did the business.  Must be Everton's first choice keeper.
• Barrett 6 - McManaman got the better of him several times but fortunately it was never too harshly punished.
• Short 9 - My man of the match.  A complete performance by a Centre-Half.  Rock solid, good positioning, great heading, strong tackling, and even a couple of drives forward that led to attacks including one run 80% the length of the pitch.
• Watson 7 - No errors, numerous good contributions.
• Hinchcliffe 6 - Still can't get inspired by him since his return.
• Stuart 7 - Back in right midfield, made a positive contribution to the cause.  Unlucky to be booked so early.
• Williamson 7 - A good Parkinson impression.  Best performance I've seen from him.
• Speed 7 - Not his most impacting game, good work-rate.
• Oster 7 - His off-the-ball movement could do with some work, his positioning today meant that he didn't see as much of the ball as we perhaps would have liked.  Some great moments though ,particularly the early placed shot and one moment where he rode tackles from the entire Liverpool midfield to keep possession.
• Ferguson 8 - The big game player did his big game thing. Flick-ons that ended up at Everton players feet. Novelty.
• Cadamarteri 8 - Words don't do him justice, I could nit-pick about his off-side tendency but bugger that: Where do I get my dread-lock wig?
• McCann & Ball 7 - Solid Cameos.

It's strange how when it comes to the Derby, it is impossible to have criticism for your own team's players. Normally, I would have been horrified to have heard that Earl Barrett was playing, but because he represented Everton, because he was wearing blue, because he was not prancing around the pitch with a mobile phone in an Armani suit before kick-off, I cheered for him as loudly as I'd cheer for Duncan or for Danny.

Mike Reed blew his whistle for kick-off, and I began to realize just why Derby matches are so special.  The crowd never stopped chanting, and the players never stopped trying.  Graham Stuart began to challenge immediately, ending up with a ripped collar after a mere handful of minutes.  Liverpool hardly kicked the ball during the first half.

This Everton side was so different from the team that was battered down at Coventry, despite many of the same players being involved.  Early on in the game, young Cadamarteri ran after David James, and tackled him in the penalty area. He could have reached the ball, and no doubt scored, but James caught his leg with the edge of his boot, bringing Danny down.

Everton thoroughly out-classed their neighbours, with the youngsters stealing the spotlight.  In fact, one move involved the two teenagers, Oster and Cadamarteri, and Ferguson, and nearly led to a goal for the Blues. Ferguson set up Oster, who fired a powerful shot straight at James.  James spilled it and Cadamarteri shot quite far over the top, what was quite a good opportunity.  

But the crowd easily forgave the "squid", when an impressive Hinchcliffe corner proved too much for James, who punched aimlessly at it, sending it in the direction of Neil Ruddock's shoulder. The crowd exhaled in one united breath, and instantaneously began to scream.  Somehow the ball had ended up in the net. I checked, uncertain.  The linesman wasn't flagging for offside or any other offence, the team were celebrating.  I realised that we had scored, and began to cheer with the surrounding, completely ecstatic fans. I couldn't hear the goalscorer, we were all far too noisy.

Cries of "Dodgy keeper, dodgy keeper," rang around the stadium, with snatches of "We're the Pride of Merseyside".  The greatest thing was, that we were ahead in the most prestigious, passionate game of the season, and even if we remain battling at the bottom, and don't win any trophies, by leading a Merseyside Derby, your team has achieved something much more important than a day out at Wembley, or a league title (not that I wouldn't settle for either!).

Half-time received a huge full-time roar, and many Evertonians (including myself) would have been satisfied if it had been a quarter to five.

Liverpool decided, in a desperate (and unsuccessful) attempt to grab an equaliser, and to prove that they also have a good teenage striker, brought Michael Owen on.  His only shot of the entire second half was nothing in comparison to Danny's.  A thousand Owens are not worth one Cadamarteri.

Danny seemed to feature in every move.  He is not a selfish player, and loves to set players up as well as to shoot.  Craig Short amazed me by picking the ball up in the Everton half, and racing unchallenged to set Danny up.  Somehow, the poor lad had three chances, but none of them went in.  The frustration on his face delighted me.  He is so enthusiastic and desperately wants to win.

I thought the match had been dramatic before, but the 75th minute was amazing.  An Ince attempt was cleared off the line by Barrett's hand, but luck was on our side, and we escaped what I thought was an inevitable penalty.  Suddenly, Cadamarteri, chasing Kvarme, dispossessed him, rounded Ruddock, and put it in the bottom left corner of the net.

The final whistle came eventually, I had believed that the Ref's watch had stopped. Z-Cars was actually played as the players left the field, each note ringing out proudly, triumphantly.

To end a perfect day, one which will remain fondly amongst those such as Cup Final Day, Danny Cadamarteri was (thoroughly deservedly) named Match of the Day Man of the Day.

Marks out of ten: Ten for everyone except Danny. He gets 11.

Following a relatively uneventful journey up the M40 and M6, I found myself in The Netley at midday with just a couple of old guys and the bar staff for company.  A thorough read of my £1.80 programme (geesh, they go up every time I go -- I remember when they cost 60p!) passed the hour it took for the first of the ToffeeNet gang to start arriving and before you knew it, the pub was teeming with Joe-90s discussing various posts and list members from time to time but mostly prophesying doom.  The general consensus was "if we can scrape a draw it will be a miracle." Jon Gard's feelings fluctuated with his alcohol intake and when I left the throng at 2:30, he felt that a couple more pints and he would start to believe the old Derby cliche -- the form book goes out the window.  He must have had those two jars because the proverbial form book was veritably hurled from the window at 3pm!

Having seen just how crowded Goodison Road was by this stage and suffered a mild panic attack that I would not find the bearer of my match ticket, I duly collected said passport to the event of the season thus far and took my seat in the Gwladys Street Stand -- right behind one of those infamous pillars (not that I'm complaining, Mark ;-) It did provide a great view of the pitch though and offered an angle on the proceedings that I have never experienced at GP before. I even managed to pick out the Zogmeister and John Walsh on the GS terrace below from my lofty position!)  It soon became clear that this section was heavily populated with red, garish yellow and Spice Boy cream coloured sh*te but they made very little noise -- except the Cream Shite next to me who kept shouting inanities into the Upper Bullens to his mate.

First Half

Kick off was greeted with thunderous noise and I was treated to an atmosphere I have not experienced since my very first Derby match 11 years ago.  The crowd raised the roof from the off and the boys in Blue responded in kind with some tenacious, if clumsy, challenges in the middle of the park. The line-up revealed the anticipated return of Neville in goal as well as the welcome inclusion of Danny Cadamarteri who had been a doubt before-hand because of injury.  Short and Watson were flanked by Hinchcliffe and Barrett in a 4-4-2 system that was completed by a midfield quartet of Oster, Speed, Stuart and Williamson with Duncan up front with the Squid.

Not a lot happened in the opening few minutes to be honest but the pattern of the game was laid down during the early exchanges, with Liverpool playing possession and passing football to little great effect and the Blues playing percentages -- i.e., if you lump the ball up to Ferguson enough times, something will happen eventually. Yes, the long ball made a (hopefully) one-off comeback today as Howard Kendall opted for the direct approach in the search for a much needed win.

The first half-chance of the match came courtesy of the youthful exuberance of Cadamarteri who chased a back pass across the entire Liverpool area to tackle David James and almost get hold of the loose ball but the 'keeper was able to smother the ball at Danny's feet. A few minutes later, Robbie Fowler had his first wayward strike of the afternoon when he belted the ball wide after good work by McManaman down the left flank.  Cadamarteri then ballooned the ball high and wide from a difficult angle before contriving to miss a sitter from 6 yards after Oster's coolly placed shot had been palmed away by James into Ferguson's path.  As the ball broke loose, Cadamarteri turned it over the bar with his left foot when it looked easier to score.

With the visitors always probing with through-balls and one-touch passes, there were occasions when they did threaten but Short was on hand to block a goal-bound Fowler effort from 6 yards and minutes later Karl-Heinz Riedle and Patrick Berger couldn't agree on who should shoot so they both did and ended up kicking each other with the ball running straight through to Southall's welcome arms.  Back down the other end, James made his best contribution to the proceedings with an excellent parry from Stuart's close range shot.

With the clock approaching half-time, Cadamarteri's now-characteristically ceaseless endeavours won Everton a corner.    Hinchcliffe launched a typical inswinger, James could only glance a punch, the ball ricocheted off Neil Ruddock's shoulder and the net bulged.  Cue unbridled ecstasy in every corner of the ground, made all the more amusing by the fact that it had been an RS player who had put through his own net. Any time is good to score but right on half time is an especially big bonus.

Second Half

The second half was barely underway before Roy Evans pulled off Riedle, possibly because of a knock, in favour of Anfield golden boy, Michael Owen.  The Red next to me yelled over to his mate for an assessment of this surprise substitution, waited for the reaction and THEN cheered Owen's arrival.  He obviously can't think for himself!  As it turned out, Owen offered little more than the German had done and was restricted to a couple of wildly off-target efforts on our goal.

While Everton were plainly playing at top gear in terms of commitment, one always feared that Liverpool would probably raise their game a few notches and start hitting us where it really hurt.  Thankfully, the onslaught never came and our lead looked fairly safe throughout.  Southall had to be at his best when charging out to tackle Fowler with his legs after the Reds' No. 23 had been put clean through by McManaman and there was a brief fluttering of blue hearts when Fowler again picked up a ball into the area but Southall snatched it off his toe at the last minute.

The Blues continued to cause the Liverpool defence problems, though, and as the visitors went in search of an equaliser, bigger gaps appeared for Cadamarteri's pace to exploit.   Shades of the Kanchelskis are began to appear as the long ball was played through for the youngster to chase which was a successful ploy against the comparatively ponderous Ruddock and the erratic Kvarme.  It was Cadamarteri's jinking run that took him past his marker and to the by-line but Oster fired his pull-back wide and our tricky No. 29 nearly found his way through for a second time but Kvarme blocked his low shot.

There was one heart-in-mouth moment for Goodison to endure before the points were wrapped up, though. An inswinging Liverpool corner found Ince's head but Barrett's arm deflected the ball onto the goal-line from which Speed hoofed the ball to safety. At the time, and from my vantage position, I wondered how the hell it had stayed out. Given that there were more shouts for "goal" rather than "handball" from the Liverpool players I would never have guessed that Barrett may have handled the ball until I watched the highlights on Match of the Day. Still, the referee and the linesman missed it and we were due some rub of the green!

The RS to my right was now getting more and more frustrated with his team and as a substantial crowd of Blues sang their hearts out he spent much of the game shaking his head and staring at the floor.  He took the defeat well, bless him!  This particular section of Reds didn't manage their first chant until 4.33pm and it was to be their last.  A long ball out of the Everton defence came to Kvarme who, under the challenge of Cadamarteri, lost his footing leaving the Everton hero time to sprint goalwards, delightfully turn Ruddock inside out before planting a perfectly placed right foot shot wide of James' despairing dive. Goodison erupted, everyone went mad and couldn't stop bounding around and hugging each other for a full minute.

And that was pretty much it. The goal hero was substituted for Michael Ball, the referee played far too much injury time and then it was over. As the tide of Blue made its way out into the streets around the ground I still couldn't quite believe what had happened and I so badly wanted to go back to The Netley for another swift pint.  Alas, an 8pm shift I had tried in vain to get out of was calling and I had to leave straight away. I was half an hour late in the end but who cared anyway?  We had beaten the old enemy, preserved a fantastic Derby run of what must be 7 games now and hopefully put us on the road to better things.

BUT, we shouldn't be fooled into thinking that everything is rosy again.  It was not a great performance technically by any stretch of the imagination.  We relied far too much on the long ball and there was little of the passing style that we have become used to lately under HK3.  However, as Alan Hansen said on MOTD, he used his tried and tested method of commitment and no-nonsense tackling to combat Liverpool and it worked a treat.  Oh happy days!

Individual Performances:

• Southall 8: Showed that he is far superior to Gerrard in every respect and if Kendall lets him go now he'd be a fool.  Made crucial interventions, especially when he rushed off his line to tackle Fowler but loses a mark for his James-esque mis-judgement of the corner that nearly cost us the game.
• Barrett 5:  All his limitations were exposed once again, unfortunately.  He was skinned regularly by McManaman and his attacking play has not improved one iota.  Most players know instinctively what they are going to do when the ball arrives at their feet.  With Earl you can see him thinking about it and by the time he's made up his mind and taken 3 touches, he's usually been tackled.  I don't like knocking him but for me he was our worst player today.
• Hinchcliffe 6:  Hoddle was watching but the Chinster did little to impress really.  A workmanlike and understated display.  Great corner though ;-)
• Watson 7:   Seemed mostly comfortable with Fowler and Riedle and didn't even need to mark Owen!
• Short 9:  I take back everything I said about him midweek.  Short was simply superb today.  He was everywhere and I don't recall him making one error.  Man of the Match for me.  A couple of excellent "Rhino Charges" into the opposition half come to mind.
• Oster 6: Just couldn't get into the game today and was rightfully subbed for McCann midway through the second half.
• Speed 7:  Quietly effective.  Got stuck in every now and then but didn't play the domineering role we expect of him as skipper.
• Williamson 8:  Great performance by the other Danny-boy.  Intelligent use of the ball coupled with biting tackles in the middle of the park.
• Stuart 7:  Gave 100% as usual and was able to have a bigger impact on the game than he usually does. Unlucky not to find the net himself today.
• Cadamarteri 8:  Fully of running, chased lost causes, terrified the defence and scored a peach of a goal.  The kid's confidence is a joy to behold and with 5 goals in 6 starts, we definitely have a star on our hands.
• Ferguson 6:  Definitely played more of a support role for Squid laying off (mostly useless) flick-ons and performing defensive duties when needed.  Didn't really have a shot on goal that I recall.
• McCann 7:  Got stuck in well, including a good intimidation of Ince, which almost got him top lose it.
• Ball N/A: Had just enough time to effect one of his trademark raids down the left before the final whistle blew.

Team:   Passion, pride and commitment -- 10;  Technique and style -- 6.  A job well done and three priceless points! Altogether now (to the tune of "Camptown Races"): *ROYSTON EVANS, CBE, doo daa, doo daa, CAN'T BEAT EVERTON FC, doo diddle doo daa day*

As apologies go, they don't come more eloquent than this.  After the embarrassing shambles of Wednesday night, the players of Everton Football Club had some debts to pay off -- to themselves, to Howard Kendall, to the club itself, and to the fans.

After three days of headlines like "Mutiny" and "Crisis", a high profile meeting with Liverpool could be seen as either a blessing or a curse.  If, as widely anticipated, we got turned over, the pressure would have built to an almost intolerable level and I'm convinced that we would have witnessed our first proper "Johnson out" protest.  On the other hand if we managed a face-saving draw or even, dare we hope, a victory, then it would give the club, the fans and the players a massive psychological lift.

After all the talk of "heads rolling" from Kendall after Wednesday, I must profess to being disappointed with his team selection -- I had anticipated something more radical than this.  As widely expected, Southall returned for the hapless Gerrard; the previously out-of-favour Barrett came in for the suspended Bilic; and Cadamarteri came in for Barmby.  That meant no O'Connor, no Dunne, no McCann and no Ball. Formation-wise we lined up with a flat back four -- Barrett, Watson, Short, Hinchcliffe; four in midfield -- Stuart, Williamson, Speed, Oster; and two up front -- Ferguson, and Cadamarteri.

First Half

Right from the kick-off, we were closing Liverpool down quickly, basically the classic anti-Liverpool tactics.  All the players were committed, passionate and working hard; it would appear that they had finally taken heed of Kendall's words and wanted to be a part of Everton's future . The crowd for their part were right behind the team.

We had by far the better of the first half.  Cadamarteri and Stuart both spurned very good chances. Cadamarteri's was the easier -- Dunc had created an opening for Oster with some good work on the deck.  His curling right footer was stopped by James at full stretch, Dunc got to the rebound but it was blocked and it fell to Cadamarteri in the box, fairly central.  He could see a fair chunk of the unguarded goal, all he had to do was hit it on target... he blazed it high and wide.  Stuart was denied by an excellent James save, this after he was set up by Dunc, however, I still felt he should have scored as he gave James the opportunity to save.

For their part, Liverpool had had plenty of approach play but with little end product.  Their best chance of the half they managed to mess up as Berger and Riedle went for the same ball.  At the time I felt that there may have been a penalty, all I saw was the ball fall to a red shirt in the box followed by the shirt hitting the deck -- we all looked at each other thinking that maybe we had got away with something there.  It was only after seeing it on Match of The Day that I realised that they had managed to tackle each other.

Half time was approaching and it was still 0-0.  We had deserved the lead, we had had the chances to back up our claims to supremacy, but no goal.  Despite this, we were all quite happy; this was all much better than we had feared and we were quite content with a moral victory.  If we were content with a moral victory we were delirious after the intervention of Neil Ruddock.  In the final minutes of the half an inswinging Hinchcliffe corner was missed by James and cannoned into the net off Ruddock's chest.  Scenes of delirium ensued -- this was way beyond our expectations.

Second Half

I expected the second half to bring a response from Liverpool; it did eventually, but it took a long time coming. They started the second half in a very lacklustre manner and within five minutes had made a change -- bringing on Owen for the ineffectual Riedle.  It still took them some time to gain any attacking momentum as we continued our spirited endeavour.  We looked solid at the back, we looked secure in midfield and Dunc and Cadamarteri we posing problems up front, Cadamarteri setting up Oster by skinning Kvarme on the edge of the box before slipping it through to Oster who had a clear sight of goal but failed to hit the target.

After about fifteen minutes, the Liverpool reaction finally came.  We started to defend too deeply, McmAnaman had moved infield and was causing a few problems and they enjoyed a lot of possession.  They didn't actually create too much, mainly thanks to some truly excellent defending, but I began to feel that it was only a matter of time before they got something out of it.  In fact they nearly did when Ince met a corner which was cleared off the line, at the time I thought they were appealing for the ball having crossed the line, MotD showed that it definitely didn't cross the line but that it did strike Earl Barrett's arm.

With fifteen minutes to go, we were put out of our discomfort by the magnificent Danny Cadamarteri.  They were on the attack but funnelled the ball back to Kvarme just inside their half.  Cadamarteri instantly put him under pressure and managed to nick the ball off him, as Kvarme was left on the deck Cadamarteri homed in on goal.  As he reached the penalty area, Ruddock moved across but Cadamarteri brought it inside Ruddock and found the bottom corner of the net past a wrong-footed James. Yet another impressive piece of finishing from the ever improving Cadamarteri.  The goal brought yet more scenes of delirium inside Goodison, this was nirvana.

The goal effectively sealed the end of the game, Liverpool were beaten and had no real ideas left.  Goodison Park was almost literally bouncing -- the atmosphere was electric.  Liverpool had to suffer the final indignity of us playing keep ball to the cheers of the crowd before the referee blew the final whistle and put them out of their misery.  This was a well beaten and demoralised Liverpool side.

After the shambles of Wednesday evening this was a team performance that almost defied belief.  We had played with determination, passion, intelligence and discipline.  Kendall now has to solve the conundrum of why this group of players is so wildly inconsistent.  But that is for tomorrow; for now, let's wallow in a glorious victory.

Player Ratings

• Southall 7  In all honesty, he was not called on to do too much. His best moment came when he spread himself at Fowler's feet outside the box -- he did very well to foil Fowler without using his hands.
• Barrett 7  I was surprised at his selection but ultimately his place was warranted.  This was a typical Earl performance -- crap with the ball, but excellent defensively.  As he had McmAnaman up against him he had his hands full but came out of the match-up on top.
• Hinchcliffe 7  Thought he was a bit ropey first half, but thought he was magnificent in defence in the second half.
• Watson 8  I don't think I'll ever figure out how he didn't get exposed for pace but he didn't and he deserves credit for that.  Another magnificent defensive performance.
• Short 8  Superb.  Really looked the part today.  Defended superbly and still found time to take the ball forward to good effect.  Twice he read the game superbly to intercept a pass and carry the ball deep into opposition territory.  My man of the match.
• Stuart 7  Another committed, hard working performer.
• Williamson 6  I feel that he is good when he has got the ball but poor when he hasn't.  He has got good feet and uses the ball well.  When he hasn't got the ball he looks a little ponderous and always seemed to arrive at the man with the ball just too late.  Still, didn't play badly at all.
• Speed 7  Another good captains performance.  Not at his best -- too many misplaced passes for that, but still played very well.
• Oster 6  Showed some delightful stuff -- particularly when he nutmegged Berger.  But in all honesty he only flickered intermittently.
• Cadamarteri 8  This boy does look a bit special.  Had another excellent game, scored a superb goal, should have had another, created a chance for Oster and generally put himself about to good effect.
• Ferguson 8  I've always felt that under the constraints in which he works -- crap service, crap support and constant fouling by defenders -- he has done a good job for us and hasn't warranted some of the flak that has come his way.  Today he was truly excellent, won everything in the air, did some good work on the ground and put himself about to good effect.
• McCann 6  Came on for Oster and went into central midfield with Speed going to the left.  Didn't look overawed and acquitted himself well.
• Ball 6  Came on late for Cadamarteri (who left to a standing ovation).

Team 8  This was a real team performance, and they deserve a great deal of credit for it.  What will they do next though?  

A final mention to the man in charge of the records.  I have been critical of him in the past but today he came up trumps. In the immediate build-up to the teams' entrance he started of with Queen's "We will Rock You" -- "uh-oh", I thought, "more dated, pomp rock"...  He then redeemed himself by following it with Tubthumping -- cranking it up for the "We get knocked down, but we get up again" bit.  He then regressed by playing Tina Turners "Simply the Best" but followed it up with "All Together Now" and finally a nicely timed version of the Z-Cars theme.  It was after the match though that he really came into his own. As the teams left the pitch he played the Z-Cars theme -- which was nicely judged -- and then as we were filing out of the ground he played the theme to "Tales of the Unexpected."  It gave me and my mate a good laugh anyway.

Howard Kendall, the Everton manager, who also restored 39-year-old Neville Southall in goal, had picked Cadamarteri ahead of Nick Barmby as Duncan Ferguson's striking partner, and his faith in the 18-year-old was vindicated.

"Danny really caught the eye in his first derby," beamed Everton's manager.  "He's strong, direct, gets in where it hurts, and took the second goal superbly."

The result lifted Everton out of the bottom three and banished the gloomy headlines of recent days.  "This was a totally different performance from the one at Coventry," said Kendall.  "It's changed the mood in the club.  It was great for the fans and gives us something to build on."

If Cadamarteri was the decisive figure, rarely had Steve McManaman laboured so well with so little response from his colleagues. As for David James and his back line, two of them looked like carbon copies of the bunch who let last season's title hopes slip away.

"It was an unacceptable display. We didn't deserve anything," admitted Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager.

Both teams played 4-4-2. The difference was that Everton played with a consuming passion Liverpool could not match.  Ferguson's hulking presence in attack clearly unsettled the visitors' defence.  Beside him was Cadamarteri, who was full of eager running. Neil Ruddock and Bjorn Kvarme knew he was about, all right.

Graham Stuart's early lunges at Michael Thomas and Patrik Berger showed Everton's intent.  The crowd were hyped up.  So were the Everton players -­ and Liverpool finally wobbled under the sheer physical pressure their hosts put them under.

Everton had been practising their offside trap, too, although they almost paid for it when Robbie Fowler timed his run precisely on to Stig Inge Bjornebye's through-ball.  Then McManaman took the stage, cutting inside to create a chance that Fowler surprisingly miscued.  Karlheinz Riedle soon repeated the miss from another McManaman cross.

Everton's methods were direct -­ knock the ball up to Ferguson, then rush in behind him.  The Scot won plenty in the air, as expected.  He also revealed a delicate touch.  One pass released Cadamarteri for a wayward shot.  Another found teenager John Oster in full stride.  James palmed out the youngster's curling shot and Ferguson's follow-up.

At the other end Dave Watson and Craig Short threw themselves into winning tackles on Fowler.  Twice Short set the Evertonians roaring with surging dribbles out of defence.  Short's block on Fowler's shot was timely, too.  McManaman, escaping Stuart and Earl Barrett, was the instigator again.  Rarely have Liverpool so often failed to capitalise on McManaman's creativity.

And they paid for their profligacy as half-time approached.  Andy Hinchcliffe swung over a corner, Cadamarteri rose with James, the ball brushed the goalkeeper's knuckles, hit the unsuspecting Ruddock and dropped agonisingly into the net. "We just did not defend the corner properly," said Evans afterwards.

In the second half, Stuart sat tight on McManaman.  No way would Everton let him roam free now.  James, back-pedalling, just managed to grab Short's header.  Suddenly, memories of last spring had returned to haunt the Liverpool goalkeeper. Everton pressed relentlessly all over the pitch.  It was not pretty, but it was effective.  When Michael Owen, on as substitute, flattened Stuart, that seemed to symbolise Liverpool's irritation.

Thomas put McManaman through and Southall's crucial dive at his feet was a save from the memory banks. By now McManaman was roving inside, trying to break free of Stuart.  It was Danny Williamson's job to pick him up.  McManaman left him standing and split Everton's defence, only for Owen to shoot wide of Southall's goal.

But Liverpool always looked vulnerable.  Oster almost punished them with a flashing shot after Cadamarteri had turned Kvarme.  Another surging run by Short set up Cadamarteri, but this time Kvarme threw his body in the way.  The tempo was frantic, which suited Everton more than Liverpool.

With 15 minutes remaining, Liverpool finally committed suicide. Kvarme dawdled, the livewire Cadamarteri robbed him, ran on and coolly beat the advancing James.  "Everton we love you" sang their jubilant fans.  At least they will until the next game.  This was a special Everton display, pumped full of adrenaline.  Surely they cannot bring such emotional energy to their next 28 League games.  If they cannot, what will Evertonians say then?

As Kendall said after this crucial win: "Now we will have to show more consistency, especially away from home."  

As for Liverpool, their defensive fallibility was at times alarming. Teams who concede goals like they did do not win championships.

He had taken up his cry from the mob around him. It has not been easy being an Everton supporter these past few years, but there was plenty to enjoy here as, grim-set, each Liverpool player filed by. "You should have put that bandage over your mouth, Ince," they shrieked, and "you've emptied the pie shop, Ruddock."  Revelry at its wickedest.

Then it started again, the one about playing their neighbours weekly.  It was meant as a gibe at the lack of commitment in the Liverpool side, a lack of passion in the heat of the derby.  And it was true, painfully true, for the red half of the city.  As Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, said afterwards:  "It was not good enough for Liverpool Football Club."

But equally, their gibe could have been taken as a sideways reference to their team.  Remember Alex Ferguson's comments about Leeds United that sparked Kevin Keegan's on-screen meltdown?   The psychology obscured a very good point, namely that professionals are cheating if they are only motivated for the big games.

Well, Everton's players have been cheating.  The fact that they played so well against Liverpool served merely to emphasise farther their incompetence of recent weeks.  If they show this level of commitment in a derby match, then why not against Coventry City in the Coca-Cola Cup?

It was a point that Howard Kendall, the Everton manager, was keen to emphasise after a satisfying afternoon's work.  "Yes, we played very well; it was almost everything you would have wished for on the day," he said. "But it's consistency I'm after.  It's no good doing it for one match.

"I think the incident at Coventry shows that I care and maybe that my players don't.  They picked themselves up for this game, but then you expect commitment in a derby.  The players need to show me consistency, because I know they can play.

"Look at Duncan Ferguson. He was awesome, he won everything, he worked hard and showed real commitment.  But I don't want a No 9 who just plays in derby games and the big games.  I need one who will give it to me every week.  Certain players have now set themselves standards and they need to maintain them."

Ferguson ran Liverpool ragged and his teenage sidekick, Danny Cadamarteri, finished them off.  The young forward only turned 18 a week ago, but he displayed a maturity that belied his years.  His pace troubled the visiting defence all afternoon and ended the match as a contest when, on 75 minutes, he sped away from Kvarme, turned Ruddock inside out and shot coolly past James.

That goal gave Everton the cushion their performance deserved.  A Ruddock own goal on the stroke of half-time had given the home side the lead, but it was a tenuous one as Liverpool nearly contrived to get back into the game almost in spite of themselves.  Had Mike Reed, the referee, spotted a Barrett handball on the goalline from an Ince header a minute before Cadamarteri's goal, then they would have shared the spoils.

It would have been something of a travesty. On chances, Liverpool probably shaded it, although Cadamarteri still might have had a hat-trick.  But they were outfought in midfield and once again their defence was exposed as a creaking door, left invitingly ajar. Unless Evans can remedy the situation quickly by purchasing a centre half, the trophy-room will remain a desert for another season.

But this passionate performance, fuelled by some slick and skillful soccer against opposition supposedly so superior they could be on a different planet, actually demonstrated everything that is wrong with this current Everton side. It proved once again that for the past year or so they have:

• CHEATED their fans
• CHEATED their manager
• CHEATED themselves.

There is no other explanation why a team can allow themselves to be slaughtered by the likes of Crystal Palace, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry  then somehow find the commitment and class to play like champions against their traditional enemy.

On Saturday's form Everton should be challenging for a place in Europe.  But if you saw them at Hillsborough and Highfield Road you would have questioned their right to even be in the Premiership!  No wonder boss Howard Kendall, who had attempted to publicly humiliate his men after the Coventry defeat, replied when asked what sort of message was sent out by pictures of him wagging his finger at players: "I think it says to the fans I care as much as they do...and maybe the players don't."

Against Liverpool Duncan Ferguson, too often anonymous in low-key games, was fired up like a blue-painted Braveheart facing the hated Sassenachs. But Kendall again made it plain that it isn't good enough when he said bitingly: "The big man was awesome. But I don't want a number nine who just likes playing in derby games and big games, because for me they are all big games."

Defender Craig Short, who led the rebellion against Kendall's orders to go on punishment laps at Coventry, was outstanding.  "I apologised to the manager for what happened," Short revealed. "We had a laugh about it, but I wasn't sure I'd be playing today. I reacted the way I did because I was angry and humiliated."

Teenagers Danny Cadamarteri and John Oster escaped Kendall's stinging criticism.  There is no doubt these two fresh-faced youngsters are the exciting future of Everton.  In fact, dreadlocked Danny is also the future of English football  as Glenn Hoddle watched him run Liverpool's defence ragged.

Top strikers say they're not afraid to miss -- they'll just keep coming back. Cadamarteri proved that after twice missing.  In the 75th minute he harassed Liverpool's best player, Bjorn Kvarme, on the half-way line and broke for goal.  Cadamarteri ignored Ferguson -- unmarked and perfectly placed -- wrong-footed Neil Ruddock and drilled in a low shot.

It was a sickening blow for Liverpool on a day when they, too, cheated fans, manager and themselves. Boss Roy Evans blasted: "I've no excuses to make. We weren't good enough."

Liverpool's performance was watched with some pleasure by observers from Strasburg, the French club they face tomorrow in the UEFA Cup. And the Anfield boss revealed: "I've just kicked them in the teeth in the dressing room. We can start lifting them tomorrow."

Veteran keeper Neville Southall, making his return to the Everton side, was hardly troubled.  But he was lucky when he  missed Stig Bjornebye's inswinging corner, allowing Paul Ince a close-range header that hit Earl Barrett's hand  'ball to hand' said the referee.  David James wasn't as fortunate. He, too, flapped at a corner, deflecting it onto Neil Ruddock's chest and back into the net.

Football being the uncaring, vindictive sport that it often is, there are few more rewarding sights than that of a vindicated man heady on the sweet drug of relief.

After almost wrestling with the less compliant members of his team in the dismal aftermath of last Wednesday's display at Coventry City, the Everton manager Howard Kendall spent much of what he conceded was a "long and uncomfortable" night in protracted combat with his own conscience.

Confident man and a most accomplished manager he might be, but Kendall is not immune to human frailties. As he picked through the rotting remains of a despicable performance, he will have fallen prey to the greatest of managerial enemies, self-doubt.

"I knew we would play better against Liverpool; we had to because we really could not have played any worse than we did at Coventry," he said.

Kendall's demeanour after Saturday's game was that of a humble man content with his day at the office, but his eyes were ablaze with passion. What he really wanted to do was climb to the highest rooftop and scream: "I told you so."

Improbably, Everton tore their neighbours to shreds and, but for the sense of calm that Steve McManaman instilled into Liverpool's always pedestrian football in the latter stages, the final margin would surely have been far greater.

It is plain that Liverpool have come to loathe these parochial affairs, and they were swept away like so many sandcastles before an onrushing tide. It was more surrender than defeat.

If appearing in these games is not much fun - and the players say that it is not - then watching them can also be murder.  Bone-jarring challenges and flying elbows are an inherent part of derby fixtures from Merseyside to Milan and they are invariably deemed permissible simply because to outlaw them would defuse the element of tribal warfare that is crucial to the magnetism of such events.

Take the events of the 15th minute, if you will. Ugly pockets of friction had been developing since the afternoon's first kick and a mist of anger was already hanging heavy in the air when Duncan Ferguson and Jason McAteer met down on the touchline.

The tackle -- a genuine 50-50 affair, would you believe -- was simply thunderous. Both men survived but less than a heartbeat later Paul Ince, the self-styled enforcer of Liverpool's "we are stars so don't touch us" policy, enticed Ferguson into an identical challenge. You could almost hear Ferguson's fillings rattling from the main stand.

Ferguson was in the mood to play and he subsequently became a persistent threat to the Liverpool defence. Rather strangely the quick but slight Bjorn Kvarme was detailed to shadow him rather than the slower but more muscular Neil Ruddock.

"Duncan was awesome today but you don't want a No. 9 who only does it in the big games," Kendall said pointedly. Ferguson chipped in with much as Liverpool were outplayed, overrun and ultimately humiliated.

Indeed, the sight of Everton arrogantly playing keep-ball in the dying moments as those bedecked in red filed to the exits was the day's abiding memory.

Beyond that there were the magnificent contributions of the Everton captains past and present, Dave Watson and Gary Speed, and then there was Danny Cadamarteri -- or Cadamagic as he seems to have become known.  Only 18 and attacking football's learning curve as an infant hamster does a wheel, Cadamarteri was terrific, sprinting clear of the fallen Kvarme with 15 minutes remaining to score a stunning goal and so confirm Everton's victory.

The Liverpool manager Roy Evans could have argued that Earl Barrett appeared to beat an Ince header off the line with his hand and that Ruddock was unfortunate to turn Andy Hinchcliffe's corner into his own net in first-half stoppage time.  To his credit, Evans did not.

"We got precisely what we deserved: nothing at all," was his harsh yet realistic assessment of a defeat that has done precious little to help him keep his job after this season ends.

"We simply forgot to play," he added ruefully.

It may have been seven years since Liverpool last triumphed at Goodison Park and seven derby games, home or away, since they last won at all.  But that only served to increase the pressure on Kendall.  It was bad enough that Everton should be down among the dead men in the Premiership without the spectre of the former manager's record hovering over him.  Joe Royle may not have succeeded in making the club great again, but he did win derby matches and that's half the battle on Merseyside.

Kendall called for passion of the kind which set up that admirable record "from much the same players". Graham Stuart perhaps misconstrued the message and was booked within three minutes for a reckless foul on Patrik Berger.  This was followed a minute later by a booking for Liverpool's Bjorn Tore Kvarme for a cynical foul on Danny Cadamarteri.  Referee Mike Reed had decided it would not be passion at any cost.

Gradually the football surfaced and inevitably it was Steve McManaman who showed the way as if galvanised -- or was it goaded? -- by events in Rome.  A non-starter for England he may have been, but not for much longer on this form.  His willingness to run at people led to three excellent chances for Robbie Fowler (twice) and Karl-Heinz Riedle, but none were taken.  

About the nearest Everton had come to scoring was when David James casually idled over a back-pass and was almost caught in possession by Cadamarteri.  He just managed to avoid calamity on that occasion, but on the stroke of half-time he was not so lucky. In the space of a few seconds he made a stupendous close-range save from Stuart as the Scot wheeled dangerously on Liverpool's defence, but from Andy Hinchcliffe's corner he completely missed the ball and Neil Ruddock, flummoxed, headed the ball into his own net.

The goal energised Everton and suddenly the commitment that has been absent on far too many recent occasions was everywhere one looked.  A goal-line clearance looked suspiciously over the line following a header by Liverpool's rallying captain, Paul Ince, but no one could begrudge Everton the victory they eventually wrapped up when Cadamarteri dispossessed Kvarme before cutting inside to score.

DERBY COUNTY            1-1    WIMBLEDON                 28,595
Baiano(53)                     Dailly(og:70)

BARNSLEY                2-0    COVENTRY CITY             17,463
Ward(11) Redfearn(pen:66)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR       3-2    SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY       25,097
Dominguez(6) Armstrong(40)     Collins(72) Di Canio(85)
Ginola(45)                

ASTON VILLA             1-2    WIMBLEDON                 32,087
Taylor(45)                     Earle(39) Cort(61)
BLACKBURN ROVERS        1-0    SOUTHAMPTON               24,130
Sherwood(26)
CHELSEA                 1-0    LEICESTER CITY            33,356
Leboeuf(88)
CRYSTAL PALACE          0-0    ARSENAL                   26,180

DERBY COUNTY            2-2    MANCHESTER UNITED         30,014
Baiano(24) Wanchope(39)        Sheringham(51) Cole(84)                 
EVERTON                 2-0    LIVERPOOL                 40,112
Ruddock(og 45) Cadamarteri(75)
LEEDS UNITED            4-1    NEWCASTLE UNITED          39,834
Ribeiro(30) Kewell(38)         Gillespie(62)
Beresford(og:43) Wetherall(47)
WEST HAM UNITED         3-0    BOLTON WANDERERS          24,864
Berkovic(67) Hartson(77,90)

Club                          P    W    D    L   GF   GA   GD   Pts
Arsenal                      11    6    5    0   27   10   17   23
Blackburn Rovers             11    6    4    1   21    9   12   22
Manchester United            11    6    4    1   16    6   10   22
Chelsea                      10    6    1    3   25   14   11   19
Leicester City               11    5    3    3   14    9    5   18
Derby County                 10    5    2    3   19   11    8   17
Leeds United                 11    5    2    4   15   12    3   17
West Ham United              11    5    1    5   15   17   -2   16
Liverpool                    10    4    3    3   16   12    4   15
Newcastle United              8    5    0    3    8    9   -1   15
Wimbledon                    11    3    4    4   13   13    0   13
Tottenham Hotspur            11    3    4    4    9   13   -4   13
Aston Villa                  11    4    1    6   12   17   -5   13
Coventry City                11    2    6    3    8   13   -5   12
Everton                      10    3    2    5   13   16   -3   11
Sheffield Wednesday          11    2    3    6   16   26  -10    9
Barnsley                     11    3    0    8    9   28  -19    9
Bolton Wanderers             10    1    5    4    8   15   -7    8
Southampton                  11    2    1    8    8   18  -10    7