Saturday 27 September 2008 12:45 , Barclays Premier League
TORRES BRACE SEALS DERBY TRIUMPH
Fernando Torres fired home an explosive double as Liverpool stormed to the top of the table after running riot in the 208th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
The Spanish hot-shot blew the Toffees away with two goals in four second-half minutes to clinch a 2-0 win for Rafael Benitez's side and ensure the Reds equalled their best start to a Premier League campaign since the 96-97 campaign when they took 14 points from their opening six matches.
It means Liverpool have moved two points clear of Arsenal, although both the Gunners and Chelsea could leapfrog us if they win their respective matches against Hull and Stoke.
Prior to kick-off the Reds had failed to score in the first-half of each of their last seven league matches and that stat now stands at eight after the first 45 ended in stalemate.
That's not to say it was not full of incident as both sides fought tooth and nail to make the breakthrough in what proved to be a typically full-blooded encounter.
The home support love nothing more than to see their heroes come out on top against the Reds and there was certainly an increased expectation in the stands as David Moyes' men went in search of their first home win of the campaign.
They could have made the perfect start too, but Tim Cahill somehow contrived to miss his kick from eight yards out after Mikel Arteta's 14th minute corner had evaded everyone at the near post.
The chance came on the back of a good spell of possession for Rafael Benitez's side and they responded to the let off by carving out a good chance of their own, when Fernando Torres' close range shot was brilliantly blocked by Joseph Yobo after great play down the left by Albert Riera.
For all Liverpool's good approach play it was Everton who continued to create the more clear-cut opportunities and the Reds - and Pepe Reina in particular - were left to breath a huge sigh of relief on 28 minutes.
The Spanish stopper flapped at a hoisted cross from the right and presented Marouane Fellaini with a great chance to mark his derby debut with a goal.
The Belgian midfielder did everything right, lashing a low drive towards goal, but he was brilliantly denied on the goal-line by Jamie Carragher - only for the defender to see that referee Mike Riley had generously blown for a free-kick to the Reds.
The remainder of the half was a scrappy affair with neither side able to manufacture a serious goalscoring opportunity although Xabi Alonso should have done better with a 25 yard drive that flew harmlessly into the stand.
There was sense throughout the ground that there was much more to come from the 208th Merseyside derby and it proved to be the case.
As the half wore on it looked more and more likely that Liverpool's purposeful approach play would pay dividends and the Gwladys Street faithful were almost 'treated' to the sight of Steven Gerrard's 100th goal for the club on 52 minutes but the skipper's 25 yarder dragged just wide of Tim Howard's far post.
Ahead of the match Benitez had given derby debuts to Alvaro Arbeloa, Andrea Dossena, Albert Riera and Robbie Keane - and the latter two marked the experience by playing a decisive part in Liverpool's opening goal.
Riera showed great feet to create space down the left and when he sent Keane racing into the area, the Irishman crossed for Torres to expertly volley home his second of the season on 58 minutes.
It had looked like being a frustrating afternoon for El Nino after the Spaniard was booked for dissent five minutes after the restart, but having grabbed his first since the opening day of the season win at Sunderland, he duly set about adding his second.
Once again it was some superb approach play by Keane that saw the forward feed the ball into Dirk Kuyt and although the Dutchman was challenged out of a shot at goal, Torres was on hand to nonchalantly steer an effort into the top corner.
At this point it looked like the latest in a long line of great Liverpool number nine's could go on to emulate the feat of the legendary Ian Rush, who memorably struck four goals in a Goodison derby 25 years ago last November.
He may have had a chance too but his stunning drive form an acute angle was harshly ruled out on 65 minutes for what the referee deemed to be handball.
The hosts were now showing signs of serious frustration and it was no surprise when Cahill saw red for a dangerously late challenge on Alonso - game over.
All that was needed now was for El Nino to cap the afternoon with his treble - but it wasn't to be.
Not that the travelling Kop were complaining as they happily performed the 'Torres bounce' while the Reds extended their run of Goodison triumphs to seven from their last nine visits.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Riera, Gerrard (captain), Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Keane. Subs - Hyypia, Aurelio, Babel, Leiva, Cavalieri, Agger, Pennant
Everton: Howard, Lescott, Yobo, Jagielka, Hibbert, Osman (captain), Neville, Fellaini, Arteta, Cahill, . Subs - Vaughan, Valente, Saha, Baines, Rodwell, Nash, Castillo
Referee: Mike Riley
Man-of-the-Match: Fernando Torres
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Goals Video Clip : EPL EVERTON 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL
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Fernando Torres (58') | Rapidshare
Fernando Torres (62') | Rapidshare
Highlights Video : EPL EVERTON 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL
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Full Match Video : EPL EVERTON 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL
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part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4
