Everton

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park will evoke a million memories for fans of both Everton and Liverpool.

Goodison staged its first of these fixtures on Saturday, 13 October 1894. A new Football League record of 44,000 fans were in attendance. Everton won the game 3-0 thanks to goals from Tom McInnes, Alex Latta and Tom Bell.

A lot of footballing water has passed under the bridge since then. But remarkably in derby matches played at Goodison in all competitions, both teams have won on 41 occasions. That perhaps underlines the closeness of the rivalry.

Everton fans tonight will invite their memory banks to revisit the Alan Ball-inspired successes against their deadly rivals or Andy King's rocket shot that ended a barren period in derby matches.

In more recent times they can draw on last season's corresponding fixture. Everton's 2-0 victory more or less ended Liverpool's Premier League title hopes. But that painful defeat for the Reds was actually the last time they lost an away game in the league.

In the very short time since returning as manager, David Moyes has gone a long way to changing Everton's season. He's given confidence and belief to the players and restored the faith of the fans. There's still a fair way to go before their Premier League survival is ensured, but the manager has built a solid platform on which to build.

Moyes also knows that Liverpool are a benchmark team. If you can reach their standards throughout a season, then you're doing well. But he will want to surpass those same standards tonight. He will ask his players to grow into the roles that the supporters expect from them, for an historic encounter at this wonderful old stadium.

If you know your history, you will know what is needed this evening. Liverpool are the best side in the country, but no team is unbeatable.

David Moyes will not be asking his players to remember the past tonight. He will be telling them to think of the future. For Everton, that future has to begin with what happens tonight.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

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This is a big week for The Wombats drummer and lifelong Everton fan Dan Haggis.

The band's sixth album, Oh! The Ocean, is out on Friday but, before then, Wednesday sees the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

"I am 100% thinking we can get something out of Wednesday," Haggis told BBC Sport. "It's going to be a tough game but I actually feel really positive heading into it after our run of results in the Premier League.

"Even in the 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in the FA Cup, we hit the post a few times and had the ball cleared off the line, so that was not all doom and gloom.

"Plus, it's the derby and, every year, no matter how badly we are playing at that moment, you always feel like anything can happen when we play Liverpool. Every player might just be up for it that little bit more, and that could make the difference.

"So, yes I am excited about it and in a way, as an Everton fan, the pressure is off. No-one expects us to win so, if we lose - although I will be disappointed - it is not as if this is a game where we are expected to get anything.

"From that point of view, a draw would be a bonus, but I am actually confident we will do better than that, and my prediction is that we will win 2-1.

"With Iliman Ndiaye, and the way the whole team is playing at the moment, we are looking pretty good. Carlos Alcaraz also looked pretty good in his first game on Saturday, so we have got players who could have a special moment or two. All it takes is to get a couple of those in the game."

Image source, Dan Haggis

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Long-serving Everton fans spoke to BBC Sport about their Goodison Park memories ahead of the final Merseyside derby at the iconic stadium on Wednesday.

Jackie – going to Goodison for 47 years - said: "It would be amazing to finish here with a win and to go into the new ground on the back of that. A win would be nice because they are the leaders too and it might stop them from winning the league like last season. The chant from last season 'You lost the league, at Goodison Park' will come out again on Wednesday. My first game was in 1978 and they were the glory years for the club and we have been through a rough patch since then.

"The memories of the derby here are not very good, but there have been a lot of draws, that is better than a loss. We don't make it easy for them and things have definitely improved under David Moyes - the players have started playing for the shirt again. They have pride in playing again and we have our old Everton back, that is all I ever wanted."

Mike – going to Goodison for 23 years - told BBC Sport: "Any game now is a countdown towards the last game here at Goodison Park. It is a hugely important game and we are the original club on Merseyside. It is always nice to get one over on our rivals, but it would be especially nice on Wednesday considering the season they are having.

"They lost the league at Goodison Park many times, last season and 2019 too. There were not many positives last season but beating them with such a powerful display was beautiful. We are not going to have too many more games under the lights at Goodison so hopefully we can say goodbye to the Grand Old Lady in style.

"It has been tough going the last few seasons but I was 14 years old when we beat them in the Lee Carsley derby and it was fun going into school the next day. Then it was a while until the Dan Gosling one. We can pin-point the derby wins here. We have not beaten them a huge amount at Goodison but hopefully that will change when we get to the new stadium."

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Natalie – who has been attending Goodison since 1995 - told BBC Sport: "With our recent upturn in results, the threat of relegation has reduced for us so this derby is all about the beginning of the Goodison goodbye for the fans. It is hugely important for us to finish with a win or at least without a defeat. We know Liverpool fans would love to rub it in but we have to avoid that.

"A win on Wednesday would forever be up there as a favourite derby win. The last Everton player to score a winner in the derby at Goodison will go down in history.

"Your first derby win is always special and mine was a 2-0 win in 1997. The best bit for an eight-year-old me was shouting "dodgy keeper" repeatedly at David James. I felt like I was ready to join the 'Ultras'."

Paul – coming to Goodison since the early 60s - commented: "I will feel emotional at the game on Wednesday, remembering all of the great players I have seen in a blue shirt over the course of the 60 years I have been coming to Goodison. I am fervently hoping the team can give us a win that will honour the Blues of the past. If we do win, it will be remembered for a very long time.

"A bad memory from derbies at Goodison is from 1982 when defender Glenn Kealey was signed from Blackburn and given his debut against Liverpool. He was sent off after half an hour. We ended up losing 5-0 and what made it worse was I was sitting next to a Red. It was the longest afternoon of my life!

"The good memory is from 1994, Joe Royle's first game as manager and bottom of the league with only one win all season. Liverpool were near the top but we won 2-0 with Duncan Ferguson's first goal for Everton and ended up winning the FA Cup at the end of the season."

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Chris, who has been attending Goodison for 48 years, contacted BBC Sport and said: "It would be fantastic to sign off the last possible derby here with a victory and it's going to happen because of the David Moyes factor and the form the side have been in. They will start plummeting after this game and we'll give a boost to Mikel [Arteta] because he did well for us.

"Through the 1970s it was frustrating, the 80s were fantastic and we were getting on top of them but then English clubs got banned from Europe and that put the boot in to us. We have had a few disasters against them here though, like the 5-0 defeat in 1982."

Guy and his son Sammy wrote: "A win on Wednesday would go down in history, I think we will stay in the league by the end of the season but to sign off with a win is something I cannot put into words. Just beating them on any occasion is amazing but to beat them on Wednesday would be immense. It would also mean bragging rights this side of the city.

"The memory of playing Liverpool here last season is good, but we have not had a good time of it over the years. It has been tough. With the new owners, things are stable for the first time in a long time and we are moving in the right direction. I was happy getting David Moyes in, we were here for the third round game against Peterborough when Sean Dyche got sacked and I wanted Moyes in then."

This is actually quite tricky to call, a lot more so than when it was meant to be played in December.

All those changes Arne Slot made in the FA Cup to rest his players means the quadruple is gone now for Liverpool and, with apologies for being pedantic, it also means they cannot win the Treble either - not the proper one, anyway.

I didn't quite get why Slot did not load his bench with his star players against Plymouth, although my first question would actually be: why not start some of them and get in front in the game, then look to make changes?

I do understand Liverpool are fighting on all fronts, but did they disrespect the FA Cup? Everyone does that, to an extent, but that doesn't make it right. My point here is that Slot did not think about having his big players available if they were needed, which is what Manchester City did against Leyton Orient.

I covered that game for BBC Radio 5 Live and when I saw Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne come on for City, I thought they meant business. They helped City get through.

Everton also went out of the FA Cup, but David Moyes went strong with his line-up against Bournemouth and they hit the woodwork three times.

I do not think that defeat means the Toffees have lost much of the momentum they had built from winning their past three league games and, of course, this is the last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park, which adds an extra edge to it from their point of view.

Part of me thinks Liverpool will still nick a win, but I am actually going to back Everton to get something here. It will be a close game, that's for sure.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Make your prediction here

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Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman, speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about the final derby against Liverpool to be played at Goodison Park:

"The fact that Liverpool are going for the title again, the fact that Everton are under a new manager trying to enjoy a push towards the end of the season, and add in the fact that this is the last ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, it will make it that much more intense.

"It will probably be whoever manages to handle that pressure and emotion that wins the match. I'll get swept along by it - I'm sure many fans will, by that emotion. Hopefully, for the blue side of Merseyside, we come out as victors."

On his favourite derby memory: "My first derby will always be my favourite. It was 2004 and Lee Carsley scored the winner in our push to finish in the Champions League positions that season.

"We showed that we weren't there by fortune - we were there by how we played and the quality we'd shown. It was a brilliant game, a brilliant season, and the fact it was my first start in a derby [means] it will always remain special to me."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Everton against Liverpool is the fixture to have seen the most red cards (23) and had the most goalless draws (12) in Premier League history.

Everton manager David Moyes spoke to the media about Wednesday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been reminiscing on the 4-4 thriller that took place between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in the 1991 FA Cup fifth round.

After a goalless first meeting at Anfield, the Merseyside rivals played out an exhilarating draw, which ended up being Kenny Dalglish's final match before resigning as manager of the Reds.

Substitute Tony Cottee's equaliser six minutes from the end of extra time secured a draw for the hosts after they fought back from a goal down four times.

The second replay, also at Goodison, finished 1-0 to the Toffees - the last FA Cup tie to go to multiple replays before a rule change the following season limited ties to one replay.

"It was an absolutely wild game because Liverpool led four times and Everton pulled them back four times," McNulty said.

"Liverpool scored some absolutely wonderful goals, some strange goals, people clearing the ball off the line and it flying back in.

"Every time you thought Liverpool had won the game there would be some calamity in their defence that bought Everton back into it. It was an incredible game of football.

"I remember walking away from that and people from our vintage were saying they had never seen anything like it.

"It was an absolutely wild night of football. I remember it like it was yesterday because we had never seen a derby like it, with goals being exchanged like that.

"Then obviously there were the events after it with Kenny resigning a couple of days later."

Listen to Goodison's Greatest Derbies on BBC Sounds

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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On Wednesday, I am going to cover Celtic v Bayern Munich and the first things to pack are my special noise-cancelling headphones.

They do not kill all the noise as the decibels go above danger levels, but at least I will be able to hear my colleague, Ian Dennis, as he commentates alongside me.

It will be a phenomenal night, but even so I will be torn.

There is another game being played at the same time that will certainly run it close in terms of noise, passion and emotion.

My old club, Everton, play the last derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park before their move next season.

Part of my heart will be there, remembering all the great derbies at that beautiful old ground. If I had to pick one game to stand for them all, it would be one I played in: the 4-4 after extra time cup draw back in February 1991.

Under floodlights and with the pitch packed with phenomenal, world-class players, it was an extraordinary, action-packed night and one that no-one who saw it will ever forget.

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Former Everton forward Danny Cadamarteri has been recalling scoring as an 18-year-old in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Cadamarteri scored the second late on in a 2-0 win over Liverpool.

"I just remember over the course of the game I had been close to nicking a few off Bjorn Tore Kvarme and he took a chance on the ball at times," he told BBC Radio Merseyside's Phil Munns.

"He was a cultured international player who probably thought he was a little bit better than he was and wanted more time on the ball.

"I thought: 'I'm going to keep pressing him and I might catch him out.' The ball has been cleared, he's taken a chance and I've pinched the ball off him. If there was VAR they might have brought it back...

"I broke towards goal, got my head up and saw David James in the net. I'm charging towards him - then, out of the corner of my eye, I see Neil Ruddock charging across at full tilt and I'm thinking he's going to hit me. I've then shifted my attention from scoring a goal to avoiding a steam-juggernaut train hitting me full tilt!

"I chopped the ball across him because he was off balance. At that moment James stepped across and the goal opened up. I got my head down, hard and low, drilled it bottom corner and the Park End absolutely erupted. It gives me goosebumps now thinking about it.

"It's amazing memories. That game meant so much to the Evertonians. It showed the dogs of war effect, fighting for the badge."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Liverpool (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Left-back Vitaly Mykolenko could be available after returning to training on Tuesday.

• On taking charge of another Merseyside derby, which will be the final one played at Goodison Park: "It's been a while since my last one, they've always been difficult games. Liverpool have always been a tough opponent. At Goodison it always felt a lot easier because of the support behind us. I think this game will be no different."

• Asked to recall memories of his first derbies in charge of Everton, Moyes said: "It was a different time and we were probably just getting ourselves back into being competitive as a Premier League club. I think the gap between the two teams at the moment is probably as big as it has been for a long time. I have to try to bridge the gap and start bringing the two clubs closer together."

• Moyes was asked if he had a message for Everton fans before Wednesday's match: "They have been fantastic since I've come back. Goodison has always had a really difficult, intimidating atmosphere and is a difficult place to play. I've had some great nights here as a manager and I hope I've got some more still to come. The supporters have always played a huge part. They've had a difficult period but hopefully they can see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel."

• On whether he will need to remind players to contain the emotions given the occasion: "The players now are much more aware of how refereeing is nowadays, but let's be fair - it's part of why you're building the game up. You want it to be built up to be emotional and explosive at times, that's part of derby games. I'm a football supporter and that's what I want when I go and watch. You want to see people being competitive, action and it mattering to the team you support."

• On Liverpool: "They had a fantastic coach in Jurgen Klopp who made Liverpool so good over many years. Most people would be amazed how well Arne Slot has done, coming in after Jurgen, but he's done a great job. That's hard to say when you're in this seat [as Everton manager]. He looks as if he's done it very smoothly and he's got the team playing well."

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Before Wednesday's final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, we've taken a look at five Everton victories over Liverpool at the old stadium during the Premier League era.

Everton 2-0 Liverpool, 21 November 1994

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Everton were bottom of the Premier League when they welcomed fourth-placed Liverpool in November 1994. Having sacked Mike Walker after the club's then worst start to a league season, Joe Royle oversaw the sweetest of new manager bounces. Second-half goals from Duncan Ferguson - a loan signing later made permanent - and Paul Rideout late on secured a famous Goodison win.

Everton 1-0 Liverpool, 11 December 2004

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David Moyes will take charge of his 23rd Merseyside derby as Everton manager on Wednesday and will be hoping for a similar result to the meeting he oversaw in 2004. The Toffees tasted derby day victory for the first time in five years with Lee Carsley's long-range strike securing a nervy 1-0 win. At the time, it moved Moyes' side 12 points clear of their city rivals.

Everton 3-0 Liverpool, 9 September 2006

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A double from Andy Johnson after Tim Cahill's opener secured Everton's biggest derby win for 42 years in September 2006. Johnson's second late on to seal the victory was notable for a remarkable piece of goalkeeping by Pepe Reina, who essentially threw the ball up for the striker to head in on the goalline.

Everton 1-0 Liverpool, 4 February 2009

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Scenes of jubilation for Everton fans in Goodison Park, scenes of confusion for watching live on ITV. When Dan Gosling fired home a dramatic winner two minutes from the end of extra time, the broadcaster had cut to an advertising break, switching back to live coverage in time to capture wild celebrations as the Toffees reached the FA Cup fifth round.

Everton 2-0 Liverpool, 24 April 2024

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"You lost the league at Goodison Park", was the chant gleefully ringing round the stadium after a dominant win all but ended Liverpool's Premier League title bid in Jurgen Klopp's final season in charge. Jarrad Branthwaite's strike and a towering header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Everton their first home Merseyside derby win since October 2010 amid a thunderous atmosphere under the lights.

Pick your favourite of the above derby wins here

And now it's over to you...

We stuck to the Premier League era for the five above, but there are so many more standout games - the incredible 4-4 draw in the FA Cup in 1991 that led to the resignation of Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, Everton's first derby win for seven years in 1978, and ending Liverpool's unbeaten record in 1988 to name just three.

So we want your pictures, stories and memories of the notable moments from this fixture down the years. Get in touch here

BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

James asked: Do you think Everton can spring a surprise and beat Liverpool? Wouldn't it be magical if Everton could win the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park?

Phil answered: Of course they can. Whether they will is another matter because Liverpool have been outstanding in the Premier League this season and are deservedly leaders.

Everton beat Liverpool at Goodison late last season and it will be a special occasion as the last derby at the great old stadium.

And Everton are now in much better shape since David Moyes' return as manager. It will be a tough assignment, but Everton have gained belief from those three successive league wins and must hope confidence is not knocked after going out of the FA Cup to Bournemouth.

• Not an Everton fan? Find your team's page here

Read more of Phil's Q&A and the rest of Tuesday's football news on our daily live page

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Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton says the postponement of the Merseyside derby in December "has really helped Everton".

The Toffees were struggling for form under Sean Dyche but now go into the final Goodison Park derby on a run of three straight league wins under David Moyes.

"David has come in and revitalised them," Houghton told Goodison's Greatest Derbies, a special edition of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "All of a sudden, there's a different way of thinking about their game.

"If they had played it when they should have, with the way Everton were playing, there would have only been one conclusion - a Liverpool victory.

"Now Evertonians are really looking forward to the game. They're going into it with a lot of optimism, belief and confidence. That's down to the past few results they have got.

"David has come in and just given them a bit more belief. It's the same group of players but they just have a different voice. A few tweaks here and there and they look free-flowing, they're scoring goals and everything is looking good.

"The Everton fans are saying 'bring on Liverpool' and there aren't many saying that about playing Liverpool at the moment.

"I can't wait for it. I think it will be an absolute cracker. I'm sure it will be a fabulous occasion."

Listen to Goodison's Greatest Derbies on BBC Sounds

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Mike Richards
Fan writer

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With our FA Cup run over before it got started, we now know that every time a team visits Goodison Park for the remainder of the season, it will be their last.

I am not normally one for sentimentality, but as we enter the final few months of the season, the air of finality is abundantly apparent.

With that in mind, Wednesday's final Merseyside derby holds that added bit of weight.

Our local rivals are eager to increase the gap at the top of the table, us keen to not only stop them, but ensure an Everton victory is written within the last few pages of Goodison's history.

David Moyes has brought a sense of calm and enabled the team to pull away from the bottom three, hopefully meaning we can approach the game as something of a 'free hit'.

As a fan, I want a blood and thunder approach - a throwback to a time when derbies meant more and we were closer to Liverpool than we currently are.

Last season's 2-0 win is all the players need draw on before the game. The belief should be there.

I would imagine the manager approaches the game fairly pragmatically, sprinkled with some controlled emotional spice.

Goodison Park has so often been remembered for epic Everton performances under the floodlights.

From Bayern Munich to Fiorentina, and this very fixture last season, there can be no place quite like it when the light switch is flicked.

For one final time, can we invoke the legends of Goodison's illustrious past and make it a night that lives long in the memory?

Over to you, lads.

As we head into the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, we want your memories, stories and pictures from the standout moments down the years. Get in touch here

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

A special episode of the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast has been released.

'Goodison's Greatest Derbies' is now available on BBC Sounds.

Kelly Cates is joined by Pat Nevin, Ray Houghton and Phil McNulty as they look back at some of the greatest and most poignant Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park over the years ahead of the final one taking place at the ground on Wednesday.

Pat and Ray relive their goals and memories from the derbies and share an insight into that period of their careers as footballers.

Also hear from Everton manager David Moyes as he prepares for the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Listen to the episode on BBC Sounds

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Jarrad Branthwaite says Everton must go into Wednesday's final Goodison Park derby against Liverpool believing they can win the game.

Arne Slot's side have lost just once in the Premier League this season and will visit Goodison Park for the final time knowing victory would take them nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.

"It is the Merseyside derby, it is another game that we are looking to win, that's it," Toffees' defender Branthwaite said.

"If you build it up too much then you can fall under the pressure so I think for us as players we are going into it with the belief that we can get a result like last season.

"If you go into it bigging it up - all the pressure is on and everyone is watching - then you probably won't play your best.

"It will be different for the fans as they create the atmosphere for us to go out there and do a job. We need to go out and perform."

Brathwaite scored the opening goal when Everton beat their city rivals 2-0 in March to effectively end their title hopes in Jurgen Klopp's final season in charge.

The Toffees will hope for a similarly energised performance after a run of three league wins in a row following David Moyes' reappointment in January.

"Obviously, wins are going to lift the atmosphere around the club and since the manager came in there has been a change," added Branthwaite.

"That has given us a bit of momentum, the fans are right behind us again and it makes it a difficult place when teams come here.

"I can feel a bit of change and hopefully that can continue.

"We've played against some top teams in the last five games and gone head-to-head with them and picked up points so we know we can do it.

"If we are not they will punish us as they are a good team. We have to be on the front foot from the first whistle and be ready to take it on."

We asked for your views on Eveton's match against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Greg: We were very poor in the first half though improved after the break. Tarkowski had a game to forget and cost us the two goals. Alcaraz looks like he may have something. I like the way he's positive in the way he plays. He should start on Wednesday instead of Doucoure who is fast going downhill.

Graham: Two bad mistakes from a usually reliable defender. We did everything but score in the second half. If they play like that for the rest of the Premier League games we will be OK.

Barry: Dreadful first half performance; much better second-half. Second goal gave us a mountain to climb against a well organised Bournemouth, who have become a real bogey team for us. Let's hope the second-half performance is taken into the derby on Wednesday, as Liverpool will make hay if we perform like we did in the first half. Will happily take the cup exit for a final Goodison derby win!

Bournemouth fans

Charl: Bournemouth deserve a lot of credit for this result. A competent defensive display, an assured midfield performance and two goals against an in-form team. Very well done Andoni and the squad.

Paul: A classic game of two halves. Totally dominant in the first half but couldn't control midfield the same way in the second. Solid defensive effort throughout though, and, unlike the Liverpool game, the woodwork helped us out this time. Onto the next round!

Sean: That was some penalty from Semenyo! First half Everton let us play our game and we took our chances. Everton had a second half purple patch but were wasteful. A deserved win and hoping for a favourable tie in the next round.

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrad Branthwaite spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside after Everton's defeat against Bournemouth: "In the second half we were very good and created a lot of chances. We shot ourselves in the foot [in the first half] and we invited them on too much. We know they are a good pressing team and we probably played into their hands a bit too much."

On individual errors: "Over the course of a season you are going to have a few games like that. I've already had mine this season. It's just about how you react to that."

He was impressed by Carlos Alcaraz's debut: "He looked bright with this free-kick and a couple of link-up plays on the edge of the box. Hopefully he can add to our team and create that dynamism in the middle."