The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park descended into absolute chaos as Everton and Liverpool played out a dramatic 2-2 draw, featuring a 98th-minute equalizer, a post-match mass brawl, and FOUR red cards after the final whistle.
Tensions boiled over after James Tarkowski’s last-gasp volley rescued a point for Everton, derailing Liverpool’s title charge and igniting an on-field melee.
Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucouré were both sent off, while Liverpool manager Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff also saw red for protesting against referee Michael Oliver.
The Mayhem Unfolds: How It All Escalated
The game was already emotionally charged due to its historic significance—the last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, with Everton set to move to Bramley-Moore Dock next season.
However, the drama reached new heights in stoppage time when Tarkowski’s stunning goal sent Everton fans into a frenzy.
In the aftermath, Doucouré ran toward Liverpool supporters to celebrate, angering Curtis Jones, who confronted him aggressively.
What started as a heated exchange quickly erupted into a full-scale brawl, as players, substitutes, and coaching staff from both teams clashed.
Security personnel, stewards, and police officers rushed onto the pitch to break up the melee, but referee Michael Oliver wasted no time in punishing the instigators, issuing second yellow cards to both Jones and Doucouré.
RED CARD CARNAGE: Liverpool’s Staff Also Sent Off!
The drama didn’t stop there. Liverpool boss Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were both shown straight red cards for furious protests aimed at Oliver, making it four dismissals in total after the final whistle.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk did not hold back in his post-match comments, criticizing the referee’s handling of the game:
“Obviously you saw how they celebrated the goal, and they have every right to. But Doucouré provoked our fans, Curtis reacted, and you know what happens in these situations.”
“The ref didn’t have the game under control in my opinion.”
With Slot sent off, he was unable to attend the post-match press conference, leaving Liverpool without their head coach’s reaction.
Tactical Battle or Street Fight? Moyes Reacts
Everton’s David Moyes, who has helped turn the club’s form around since returning in January, admitted the game was not pretty but exactly what his team needed:
“It wasn’t the cleanest, it wasn’t the best football match, but it was a throwback—scrappy from both sides.”
“We had to make the game ugly to close the gap on Liverpool, and I thought we did a good job at it.”
What This Means for Liverpool & Everton
Liverpool’s title challenge takes a hit – The draw denied them a chance to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, dealing a major blow to their title hopes.
Everton secure a crucial point – The Toffees, still battling relegation, gained a vital result against their fiercest rivals, which could prove decisive in their survival fight.
Final Goodison Derby Ends in Unforgettable Chaos
From a delayed kickoff due to Storm Darragh’s original postponement to a last-minute equalizer and a post-match brawl, this final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park delivered one of the most chaotic, controversial, and unforgettable nights in Premier League history.
But the did Michael Oliver really lose control of the game, or was this inevitable in such a high-stakes, historic clash?
