Everton v Liverpool irony shared after what was seen – ‘Post-apocalyptic Movie’
Everton and Liverpool have been described as hosting what turned out to be a “post-apocalyptic movie” in their final-ever Goodison Park derby clash.
Wednesday’s showdown in L4 – the last of its kind – saw the derby bow out of the Grand Old Lady in iconic fashion as James Tarkowski slammed home a memorable equalising volley eight minutes into stoppage time.
The post-match brawl incited by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s goading of the away end and immediate incensed reaction from Curtis Jones – both of whom were shown second yellow cards by Michael Oliver – saw tensions spill over between players and supporters, with security staff and police on hand.
Everton v Liverpool descends into chaos
There was so much about the midweek Merseyside face-off reminiscent of derbies in an era gone by – both the bitterly contested events on the pitch, and the carnage off it which has been reflected upon by the Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele and Simon Jones (14 February).
In their exclusive report on the events of the matchday itself in and around Goodison, they branded what happened post-match against Liverpool as “Storm Doucoure”.
They have alleged the way Wednesday unfolded was like something from a “post-apocalyptic movie”, as the city these two passionate sets of fans share glowed in a vibrant simultaneous light of blue and red.
“In December, the Merseyside Derby was postponed due to dangerous and adverse weather conditions in Storm Darragh. It is rather ironic, then, that the post-match scenes at Goodison Park on Wednesday night caused such carnage on the streets of Liverpool,” the duo said.
“Storm Doucoure, if you like, after Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure incited a string of events that saw four red cards, brawls, fans on the pitch, bottles thrown from the stands and eight arrests made by police.
“Walking away from this grand old stadium just before midnight was to witness a scene like one from a post-apocalyptic movie. Firework shops did a roaring trade judging by the floor. There was also smashed glass aplenty and hundreds of empty beer cans lining Goodison Road.”
Merseyside derby will live long in the memory
While future chapters will be written of Merseyside derbies over at Bramley-Moore Dock – and plenty will continue at Anfield – Wednesday on the pitch was a truly fitting way to blow out the candle on derbies at Goodison.
Supporters in the stands who had attended decades’ worth of derbies in the Gwladys Street End will no doubt rank the moment Tarkowski’s rifling volley rippled the roof of the net as one of their standout moments from their days at the football.
While some of the “movie” described is a poor reflection on certain individuals, it appears unfair to blame Doucoure. While David Moyes will be frustrated his midfielder now has to sit out Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace (15 February), he will at least be satisfied with the passion for the club he is representing – a passion his manager knows only too well.
All in all, while the issues surrounding the matchday are dealt with, the match itself was an iconic advert for the type of Premier League football many of us regularly appeal that we are missing in the current era of our sport. Not even VAR managed to ruin it. Supporters will certainly have enjoyed their throwback night at Goodison.