5 best Merseyside derbies of the Premier League era
By James Dudko
4. Liverpool 0-1 Everton, September 1999
An Everton win at Anfield is a rare thing indeed. In fact, the Toffees haven’t taken three league points from the home of their neighbours since the last millennium.
It was so long ago Francis Jeffers was Everton’s boyhood prodigy before Wayne Rooney came along. It was so long ago Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard were mere fledglings still trying to establish themselves as Liverpool regulars.
Kevin Campbell scored what proved to be the winner early on, but his finish was merely the start of the drama. Jeffers and Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld were both sent off after a tussle that was slightly more than handbags at five paces.
Liverpool had a tough enough time keeping the score at 1-0 with defender Steve Staunton having to take Westerveld’s place in goal. But the Reds’ task was made harder still when Gerrard was dismissed.
Red cards have been as much a part of the Merseyside derby as renditions of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” or the theme to “Z-Cars.” In fact, a league-high 21 reds have been handed out in this derby during the Premier League era, per the Guardian.
This particular game lasts as an enduring symbol for all the fractious discontent.