Everton

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BBC Sport pundit and former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has been answering your questions on your club.

Finley asked: As you were a defender, who was the most difficult attacking player you've played against and why did you find them hard to contain?

Nedum replied: If I am going off someone I played against several times, it would have to be Wayne Rooney.

Before we both made our professional debuts, I remember seeing him play for Everton in the Youth Cup. They said there was this kid that was supposed to be unbelievable and is only about 16 years old.

The Youth Cup was for under-18s, yet I watched him bully City's 18 year olds that day.

I must have been about 15 at the time and I remember thinking that was interesting. Fast forward a few months and he was scoring that goal against Arsenal.

As a player, he had so much drive, passion and technical ability but he also had the desire to be involved in the game as well. Whenever you played against him, it was very rare he would have a quiet day because if he was quiet in front of goal, he would still have an active day in how he was pressing and going into one-on-one battles.

Rooney was a strong runner, he had an eye for a pass and was just super aggressive as well. So if he hadn't scored against you then you would know he had had a different level of impact within his team.

Plus, when he finished his career, he was England and Manchester United's top goalscorer, which are two pretty impressive accolades in the history of football.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Mike Richards
Fan writer

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Blood and thunder. A throwback. A proper Merseyside derby, with the most fitting of endings.

The fireworks began on Goodison Road a couple of hours before kick-off as the Everton coach arrived at the ground and continued throughout a moody evening that had it all.

It was pure theatre.

If you could have scripted it, it would not have been written much better.

Faces coated in blue powder littered the stands. Braveheart-inspired Evertonians prepared for the extended battle that was to come.

Considering the gap between the two sides in the table, it certainly was not evident on the pitch.

Everton played with a belief and an edge. A squad riddled with injuries, including losing our most creative player Iliman Ndiaye early on, it would have been easy for the manager to inflict a more pragmatic attitude onto the players. This Everton side appear to be different.

There was time a time for digging in. There was a time for football. Whatever was needed, it was on show in abundance.

It was almost poetic that it ended the way it did.

James Tarkowski had a difficult game against Bournemouth only a few days earlier. It was almost written in the stars that he would artistically – and brutally – write his own redemption song.

He will never catch a ball that perfectly ever again.

Cue pandemonium.

Fans on the pitch. Players in the crowd. The corner flag raised in triumph and blue smoke rising into the night sky. Pure, unadulterated joy.

Not even a prolonged VAR check was going to ruin this final chapter.

Full time scraps and post-match red cards just about summed it all up.

Goodison Park. Our Colosseum. Our home and always in our hearts.

There is nowhere quite like it.

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Everton's late showing in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was further evidence of the quick progression made under David Moyes since he returned to the club.

Before he took charge on 11 January, the Toffees were just a point above the relegation zone, while only bottom club Southampton had won fewer games (one) and scored fewer goals (12) than them (three wins, 15 goals).

Fast forward a month and 10 points from their past four Premier League games sees Everton 10 points clear of the drop zone in 15th place.

While the team as a whole has so far benefitted from the former boss' return, some players in particular are really starting to find their feet under the Scotsman.

One of those is striker Beto.

Having struggled not only for goals but also for minutes under Sean Dyche, the 27-year-old has already spent more time on the pitch in the league this season (262) across four games under Moyes than he had in his previous 12 (221).

With three league goals, including the opener against Liverpool on Wednesday, Beto has also already trebled what he had under Dyche in this campaign. This improvement has seen him bring his minutes per goal down from 221 to 87.

Having averaged the worst shot quality (0.08 xG per shot) in the league this season under Dyche, Everton had improved the quality of their chances before the Merseyside derby to 0.15 Expected Goals (xG) per shot.

With better chances being created, it is giving forwards like Beto more opportunities to get shots on goal.

His seven total shots under Moyes is second among his team-mates. Under Dyche he had just the 11 and was eighth in the team rankings.

The Guinea-Bissau international is also converting more of these chances with his shot conversion rate sky-rocketing from just nine percent up to 43%.

Even just being in the box more can help strikers take chances. It might not be spectacular, but it can help a player and the team stack up the number of times the ball is being put in the back of the net and this is another area where Beto has shown improvement.

He is joint-third among Everton players for touches in the opposition box under Moyes with 13 - one off Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure - and just five short of the 18 he had under ex-Burnley boss Dyche.

It is this kind of boost in form that both player and club desperately needed as the Toffees bid to make sure they begin life in their new stadium in the Premier League next season and not the Championship.

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Everton defender James Tarkowski relished providing Goodison Park with a supremely memorable moment in the final Merseyside derby at the ground - and said it also provided him with a form of personal redemption.

After a difficult day against Bournemouth in the FA Cup exit on Sunday, his stunning 98th-minute equaliser against Liverpool returned the smile to his face.

"I had a really tough weekend," said the defender. "I was really disappointed with how things went in the FA Cup and was really disappointed in myself, so to come back and score like that felt special.

"[I had] a little bit of support from team-mates and family but it is not nice when you have a tough game like I had over the weekend. You do question things a little bit but we luckily have games that come round quick, and thankfully it did in a massive occasion.

"It is all part of being a footballer - having tough moments - and part of that is bouncing back."

Tarkowski also reflected on the pandemonium after his goal and how they are now part of the fabric of Goodison Park.

"A special, special night and what a way to finish the last derby here," he said. "I had an 80-year-old man grabbing me and then a five-year-old kid pulling me to the floor. There were stewards everywhere. Chaos - but what a moment it was!

"I've had a couple of proud moments; promotions and playing for my country, but for me this is the biggest just with everything which is happening right now, leaving this iconic stadium.

"For me, it will be the biggest goal of my career."

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Everton looked lost and in trouble when they sacked Sean Dyche las tmonth but, in a few short weeks, David Moyes has given them fresh confidence and belief - and far more importantly, 10 points.

There was no disguising his passion on the touchline last night in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, as well as the celebrations for James Tarkowski's last minute equaliser.

Moyes looks right at home in his second spell, and his previous knowledge of what Everton fans demand plays right into the atmosphere experienced last night.

James Tarkowski took the headlines and instant plaudits but did substitute Jack Harrison fly under the radar for his performance in Wednesday's drama-filled draw with Liverpool.

The winger came into the fixture for the injured Iliman Ndiaye on 25 minutes and proceeded to put a fine shift in at both ends.

Looking at post-match data from Opta, we can see Harrison had three touches in the Liverpool box and two shots inside the box - no Everton player had more.

He completed 20 of his 24 passes for a completion rate of 83.3%. Of the players who featured for a substantial spell in the game, only Tarkowski matched that rate. The likes of Ashley Young and Iliman Ndiaye had 100% completion but were brought on late on or taken off early in the fixture respectively.

Harrison also had 16 duels in the match, winning eight. Only Idrissa Gueye - who won nine - battled with more success in a blue shirt.

If that is not testament enough to his spirit, the on-loan Leeds player won three tackles and three fouls - both metrics saw him joint-top of Everton's rankings.

The left flank occupied by Harrison was key for Everton, with 50% of their play featuring in that area when we look at data for attacking thirds.

Harrison had 55 touches on the night having missed over a quarter of the fixture. His tally was third in Everton's team, with Vitaly Mykolenko (58) and Jarrad Branthwaite (61) bettering him - though both played the entire fixture.

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We asked for your views on Everton clinching a last-gasp equaliser against Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Suzie: For James Tarkowski to score the equaliser, after the unjustified grief he received following the Bournemouth game, was absolutely perfect. What a captain, what a goal, and what an amazing final Goodison Park Merseyside derby! I felt exhausted watching it. I'm off to have a lie down in a dark room.

Jeff: What a way to end the last derby at Goodison Park! Tarkowski went from zero to hero. Goodison Park exploded and not even VAR could ruin the party. Onwards, Evertonians!

Andy: To all the Liverpool fans whinging about decisions going against them, welcome to our world over the last 40 years. If I listed every derby injustice Everton have suffered, I would be here all week. An amazing battling performance, with such passion from the players and fans, and losing would have been a travesty. Well done Moyes and the lads - a fitting final derby at Goodison in so many ways.

Richard: Gutsy and dogged. It was a little bit light on quality but you can really see the David Moyes effect working. Everton deserved at least a point.

Ivor: Unbelievable 'never say die' attitude! Talk about pride and commitment, we have got a brilliant mentality. Our injuries are a worry though.

Anton: What is it about Everton number sixes and last-minute volleys? No more than what we deserved. Moyes got it spot on. The players were very good and, crucially, we didn't lose Goodison's last-ever derby, even though it looked like them lot were going to steal a win with a very lucky and against-the-run-of-play goal. I think that turned out to be a fitting last-ever Goodison derby, don't you? You have to love/laugh at the full-time scenes too!

A night of raised corner flags...

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A night of local pride and hostility...

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A night where some saw red...

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Others saw blue...

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One to cherish while a city still has two grounds with such a view.

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The last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park did not disappoint, with four goals, four red cards, a VAR wait and a post-match scrap.

The night is being labelled "Mersey Mayhem," on Thursday's national newspaper back pages, while some pundits and fans are calling it a "fitting end" to such a fierce rivalry at the famous venue.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on X, external: "That was a classic! Sickener at the end but fair play to the Blues as the goal was a cracker. Fitting way I suppose to end this fixture at Goodison. I know people think I'm the celebration police, but I do hope that lad kept the corner flag! Seven points clear, 14 to go."

And as the Reds' challenge for the Premier League title continues to mount, they will now be without head coach Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff as they were both shown red cards by referee Michael Oliver at full-time.

That means former Everton defender Johnny Heitinga will be leading Liverpool on the touchline for the next two games, with popular outlet The Anfield Wrap cheekily posting on X:, external: "Johnny Heitinga will be leading Liverpool FC on the touchline for the next two games. Not a sentence I ever thought I'd say!"

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Goodison Park is one of the grand sporting theatres, and the final Merseyside derby played out at the old place delivered the dramatic last act it deserved before the doors are finally locked.

The concluding scenes included a 98th-minute equaliser from James Tarkowski, only given after the stadium held its breath for several minutes while the video assistant referee checked for offside and a foul.

And then, when the goal was awarded to give Everton a deserved 2-2 draw, tempers boiled over with Abdoulaye Doucoure needlessly taunting Liverpool's fans, to the annoyance of Curtis Jones, sparking a full-on brawl that saw both sent off.

They were followed by Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, who were furious with referee Michael Oliver, as this derby descended into chaos with police, stewards and players all involved.

Everton manager David Moyes said: "It was mayhem all game. A bit of a throwback. The place was boiling hot all night. It was an incredible atmosphere."

And in those few words, Moyes summed up the special magic of Goodison Park.

It may be creaking in parts, but on fiery nights like this with Liverpool as the opposition, it literally rocks - parts of it really do - with a glorious support and naked hostility like few other places in world football.

Everton may have that state-of-the-art new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock ready to go next season, but it is an almost impossible task to replicate what they have in this place - ramshackle and old-fashioned in parts admittedly, hence the need to move.

Goodison Park was never going to go quietly, but this was something else - full of emotion, passion and all the wild scenes of indiscipline Moyes called "to-ing and fro-ing" after the final whistle.

It may have pillars blocking some of the views, but it still has so much that will be missed with its towering Main Stand and the criss-cross designs on the stands that are the trademark of famous Scottish architect Archibald Leitch. It has a heart and soul no architect can design.

Read more from Phil on a night of Goodison mayhem here

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"That was a proper derby and it was like rolling back the years."

That's the view of former Premier League defender Gary Cahill.

Indeed, the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park did not disappoint, with four goals, four red cards, a VAR wait and a post-match scrap.

"On the whole, it was played in a great way and there was a lot of passion and fight in the game," Cahill told the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "I know that it spilled over at the end but the game itself was very competitive with tackles flying in.

"What an end to the game, but also what a finish from James Tarkowski. That was a striker's finish because it was an absolute rocket of a touch.

"Everton have come away feeling like they won the game. The VAR wait almost added to the atmosphere because it gave the fans another a chance to celebrate when the goal was given.

"A phenomenal end to the game."

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Everton would like to bring in former player David Weir as their director of football, a position the 54-year-old Scot currently occupies at Brighton. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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From a final Goodison Park derby that looked like ending in disappointing defeat, Everton showed the revived spirit and character brought by the return of David Moyes as manager to provide a climax of genuine sporting theatre.

Everton's fans exploded with joy when James Tarkowski fired an unstoppable shot high past Alisson in the 98th minute - but the celebrations were put on hold for what seemed like an age as checks were carried out for offside and a foul on Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.

The old stadium rocked when the goal was confirmed and Everton emerged with real honour and credit, having made sure they did not end derby games at Goodison on a losing note.

The brawl after the final whistle was unsavoury, Abdoulaye Doucoure needlessly goading Liverpool's fans to the fury of Curtis Jones, but all the fire and fury of a remarkable evening encapsulated what Goodison Park is about.

Moyes has rejuvenated Everton - Beto in particular, with the striker showing a composure rarely seen previously - and they even overcame the first-half loss of key man Iliman Ndiaye to injury.

The manner in which Everton pushed Liverpool all the way, then claimed a point, was the sort of performance Goodison Park deserved and was another example of their improvement under Moyes.

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Former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman, speaking on TNT Sports: "It is apt really that the last game at Goodison Park is a game like this. Like an old school 80s game.

"There was not a load of quality in the game but it was wild, it had passion, it had fight.

"There were a number of sending offs at the end, people wanted to antagonise each other and fight each other. It was fitting it ended in absolute chaos.

"Abdoulaye Doucoure had 37,000 of his own fans to go and celebrate in front of. To go and antagonise the Liverpool fans was a silly decision. It was only going to end one way.

"Doucoure is an important player and if Everton go on and lose in their next game it will have been proved an even worse decision."

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Everton manager David Moyes, speaking to TNT Sports: "Mental probably sums it up. A brilliant finish for us, to finish the last Goodison Merseyside derby and score in the last minute is in a way fitting.

"We would have liked to have won the game but at 2-1 down I was just thinking that we probably weren't going to get back in, it just looked like Liverpool would keep us out.

"We worked hard, kept at it, probably had more attempts in the second half than the first. [Tarkowski] had the quality which was the one that really mattered."

On Tarkowski scoring on his 100th Premier League appearance for Everton: "I think after his game last weekend he'll be pleased he got the goal. He scored a great goal tonight and it will be remembered in history."

On how this game compares to others he has managed: "It was right up there and it was great at the end. I think the night was maybe made for something to happen.

"It wasn't the greatest, it wasn't the cleanest game of football you've ever watched, but it was a bit of a throwback, a bit scrappy for both sides. We had to find a way of making the gap not so big tonight and did a good job of it."

On what has changed since he took over as Everton manager: "The fact is, I think the players have responded really well in what they've done.

"We've made more chances. Beto's come in and scored the goal, he's scored for us earlier on as well. That's really helped us, we're suddenly creating a few more chances than we had. All praise to the players."

On Abdoulaye Doucoure's sending off: "I'm disappointed with Doucoure because we need him, we're down on numbers at the moment. We've got to be careful what we do.

"Discipline is never easy sometimes in these games and tonight was a game where quite easily sending offs happen."