Pickford struck by missile as footage of Everton v Liverpool eruption emerges
Everton and Liverpool saw their final-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park descend into chaos at full-time.
The match itself was a tense, to-and-fro affair which ended dramatically, as James Tarkowski’s stunning 98th-minute volley secured a 2-2 draw after Beto, Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah had all scored.
Scenes sparked again at the final whistle when Abdoulaye Doucoure goaded the Liverpool away end, which ended up in a complete melee.
Pickford struck by missile in full-time carnage
The brawl near the away corner of Goodison Park began when Doucoure appeared to wind up the Liverpool supporters, who were quickly defended by Curtis Jones.
The duo had both been booked during the contest, which saw them each issued a second yellow card with a constantly animated Arne Slot also appearing to be sent off as many became involved to separate it.
Pickford was one of the first over and was struck by a bottle thrown from the away end, though it appeared to barely faze him as he tried to diffuse the issue.
As shown by footage from TNT Sports (12 February), police officers even had to get involved to pull the pile-on apart.
Supporters were just moments earlier sent into raptures when Tarkowski smashed in the last-ever derby goal at Goodison to hand David Moyes’ men a potentially vital point, and also a setback for Liverpool’s seemingly straightforward title charge.
Everton much improved under Moyes
Everton matched Liverpool in large parts of a hotly-contested encounter on the blue side of Stanley Park.
They traded blows with a massively in-form side over the course of the campaign, gave as good as they got and reaped the rewards as a result.
When Beto put the Blues in front, Everton fans dared to dream similarly to how they did under Sean Dyche during the 2-0 win last April over their nearest neighbours.
Mac Allister quickly levelled the scores and when Salah edged the visitors in front, fans could have been forgiven for feeling despondent and like the tide wouldn’t turn.
But it didn’t just do that, it happened in style and in the most soap-opera manner possible – helped or hindered in some way by the lengthy VAR stoppage. Fans in the Gwladys Street End will remember that moment at the Grand Old Lady for the rest of their days.
Everton are becoming a different beast under the early returning reign of Moyes and can continue to dare to dream longer-term.