Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in a pulsating 2-0 home victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby last night that could prove to be the death of the visitors’ withering Premier League title hopes.
Everton’s first derby victory at Goodison Park in more than 13 years prevented Liverpool from climbing level with Arsenal at the top of the league table. Juergen Klopp’s men are three points behind the Gunners (77) with four games to play.
Holders Manchester City remain in the driver’s seat on 73 points but with two games in hand. Everton’s victory has them breathing easier, eight points above the relegation zone in 16th.
Branthwaite had the old stadium shaking in the 27th minute when he capitalised on poor defending from Liverpool, slotting home from close range after the Reds missed several attempts to clear the ball.
Calvert-Lewin leapt to head home from a corner kick to double the Toffees’ lead in the 58th minute, and while Liverpool have mounted some masterful comebacks this season, Everton held strong to hand Klopp, who is leaving Liverpool at the season’s end, his first defeat at Goodison in his final derby.
Meanwhile, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes came to his side’s rescue with two goals in a 4-2 home victory over Sheffield United.
Twice United trailed with Jayden Bogle and Ben Brereton Diaz both on target for the visitors but Fernandes helped avert another damaging result.
He levelled from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after a foul on Harry Maguire, scorer of United’s first equaliser.
Fernandes then smacked home a sizzling left-footed shot to edge his side in front before setting up Rasmus Hojlund to finally subdue their battling opponents.
Crystal Palace made absolutely sure of Premier League safety with an impressive 2-0 home defeat of Newcastle United with both goals scored by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
It was a well-deserved win for the hosts while Newcastle’s European hopes were dealt a blow with a 10th away defeat.
Mateta put Palace ahead with a well-worked goal in the 54th minute after a one-two with Jordan Ayew.
He sealed the points late on after good work from Will Hughes and substitute Jeffrey Schlupp.