We have been treated to plenty of entertaining, end-to-end Merseyside derbies in recent seasons. This was not one of them.
For about 90 minutes, the highlight of Everton’s meeting with Liverpool at Goodison Park was Fatman Scoop showing up in the crowd.
Even when the board for added time showed eight minutes, few thought it would be the precursor to anything even approaching a goal, but Sadio Mané struck as the clock ticked towards minute 94 after Daniel Sturridge’s low shot came back off the post.
90+4: Get in!! Sturridge's shot trickles past Robles & hits the post.
Who's there to react first? This man!
Come on!!!
🔵 0-1 🔴 #EVELIV pic.twitter.com/0gTS5s8ljU
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 19, 2016
Sometimes there’s only one way to respond to such drama at the end of a positively undramatic game.
https://twitter.com/kevinmccauley/status/810965594564685825
It was the winning goal that the game deserved.
https://twitter.com/jackpitt89/status/810965685396525056
finally
FINALLY
— James Tyler (still) (@JamesTylerESPN) December 19, 2016
There was an air of inevitability for those pessimists who support other title challengers.
https://twitter.com/neal_sousbois/status/810966091723849728
It spawned some new chants.
Mané's scorin'
All around us
Reds are playing having fun
It's the season – love and understanding
Merry Christmas. Everton.— Paul Anderson (@PaulAndo1987) December 19, 2016
Not sure we see this one catching on, mind you.
Oh Farhad Moshiri, it's not about the Mane, Mane, Mane. We just wanna make the world dance, forget about the price tag.
— James Dutton (@jrgdutton) December 19, 2016
It wasn’t the most entertaining way to prepare for a full week without any Premier League action, but some people always suspected it would turn out this way.
https://twitter.com/_Zeets/status/810953934735110145
Maybe it was the fault of the ‘Mersey Monday’ branding.
Goals in #redmonday + #merseymonday (so far) 0
Goals in unbranded generic Monday night PL games this season: 17— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) December 19, 2016
Baddison Park. #merseymonday.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) December 19, 2016
Still, Liverpool fans won’t be complaining too much. They’re back up to second in the Premier League table, while Everton are ninth and could drop into the bottom half if results go against them on Boxing Day.
https://twitter.com/lfcmaestro23/status/810965611631222784
Catch up with this week’s episode of Football Friday Live:
