Everton 2-0 Liverpool: Everton apply final blow to Liverpool title challenge’

The goals Liverpool conceded where hardly the result of surprises being sprung on them. Everton’s trademark is set-piece power plays and both goals resulted from them. The second goal, a Dwight McNeil corner met by Calvert-Lewin, was as routine as it gets but Liverpool could not cope.

Everton and their followers have been very short on reasons to let it all hang out in celebration apart from in late escapes from relegation as the club lurched towards the footballing and financial precipice, with eight points being deducted this season.

So it was no surprise to see some of their supporters dancing down Goodison Road in the direction of the famous Evertonian pub across from Goodison Park, The Winslow.

Dyche, whose style of play has been something of an acquired taste to some Everton fans, got it spot on here and deserved to fully enjoy the finest night since his appointment.

He did not have to look hard for heroes in the shape of goalscorers Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin, the faultless Idrissa Gueye in midfield and keeper Pickford, who delivered several crucial saves and even indulged in some Klopp-style fist pumps towards Everton’s fans after one final save from Salah in the dying seconds.

Klopp apologised to Liverpool’s fans, many of whom left before the final whistle, for the bitter taste left by his final Merseyside derby.

He will know how much this will hurt, not just because they were beaten by Everton, because they may have taken a blow from which their Premier League title challenge will not recover.

For Everton, this was the sort of night they waited a long time for – more than 13 years in this fixture at Goodison Park – and the outpouring of joy matched this thunderous occasion.