Michael Oliver avoids ‘Everton farce’ after incident v Liverpool
Everton will receive a real boost to add to their run of form with how the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park ended.
David Moyes has his team pulling in the right direction and instilling excitable passion back into the fanbase again.
The 2-2 derby draw with Liverpool was like a game from a bygone era, which will go down in Toffees folklore and gives one huge farewell to the Old Lady.
Tarkowski goal being chalked off would have been ‘farcical’
Everton had to endure a nervous wait after the initial pandemonium which followed James Tarkowski’s crashing volley in the eighth minute of injury time.
Michael Oliver, the man in the middle at L4 on Wednesday night (12 February), had to keep everyone biting their nails while a VAR check developed on an alleged offside against Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The midfielder was shortly afterwards sent off after the final whistle, alongside Curtis Jones, Liverpool boss Arne Slot and one of his coaching team, following a mass brawl incited by Doucoure and Jones.
TV commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Goodison News, said it would have been “farcical” for the game to end on a disallowed goal through VAR, which added the contemporary twist on a “throwback” encounter.
“The fans have been through so many rough times so it’s fairytale stuff for an ending like that in the last derby at Goodison Park,” Darke said.
“It was a blood-and-thunder game and a throwback to something from 1980, and Tarkowski apart from maybe Pickford is a pro at the club who deserves this moment for his contribution down the years.
“But imagine the referee had to tell the ground the goal didn’t count, it would’ve been somewhat farcical, because it was a perfectly good goal.
“That’s the deal with VAR, and it’s an old debate unfortunately.”
Everton march on with 14 to go
Everton have 14 league matches remaining this season and just six at Goodison Park before the doors are locked for good.
Moyes has brought the excitement back on the blue half of Merseyside and Toffees fans now believe their club have a genuine chance against any opponent.
Next up comes the trip to Crystal Palace this Saturday evening (15 February), and they are having to do the job without Iliman Ndiaye and Doucoure, who are out through injury and suspension respectively.
It could be a huge opportunity for solitary winter signing Carlos Alcaraz, who was signed from Flamengo late in the transfer window and could come in very handy to replace Ndiaye while he rehabilitates.
Next up in L4 is another clash sure to be hotly contested, against Manchester United on 22 February.