Everton v Liverpool drama: ‘Insane’ rule emerges after Goodison Park scenes
Everton said goodbye to Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park in dramatic fashion on Wednesday.
The Blues took an early lead against Liverpool through Beto, but Alex Mac Allister equalised only minutes later to kickstart the drama.
Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the lead in the second half until James Tarkowski scored an unbelievable equaliser to earn Everton a point in a 2-2 draw.
That started the carnage at Goodison Park, with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Curtis Jones and Arne Slot all being sent off by Michael Oliver following the full-time whistle.
Goodison Park carnage insane with Everton and Liverpool
Tarkowski striking with almost the final kick of the game saw Goodison explode with emotion, with fans on the pitch and players running everywhere after a VAR review.
However, when Doucoure celebrated the full-time whistle in front of the away supporters, it led Jones to go over and start a brawl between the Everton and Liverpool squads.
Slot was then shown a red card by Oliver as his over-aggressive handshake was joined by some harsh words.
However, that meant he couldn’t attend his post-match media duties with his assistant also sent off, leading to no representation from the Reds.
The Athletic journalist Adam Crafton couldn’t believe that rule, writing on X: “Insane rule that if a manager is sent off he doesn’t have to do media.”
David Moyes and Everton come away with the glory
Although there were some concerns over the conduct of the players and supporters inside Goodison Park after behaviour following the equaliser, there was still plenty of credit for the Toffees who managed to keep themselves in the game and come away with a point.
Liverpool may have thought this would have been a walkover given their arrogance, but the Toffees were well deserving of a point, and maybe should have had more.
It is a strange rule that sent-off managers can not face the press after a game but for the Blues, this meant all the conversation surrounded them, which is somewhat fitting given it was a send-off to Goodison.
David Moyes deserves plenty of credit for the job he has done since his return to Merseyside and with the Toffees sitting 10 points above the relegation zone, they will feel as though they are only going up.