by Darren Steward (Sky Sports)
There was more woe for Gerard Houllier in the 161st Merseyside derby as a fourth minute
goal from Kevin Campbell consigned Liverpool to their third League defeat of the season, and gave Walter
Smith his first victory over the arch rivals.
To compound matters, Sander Westerveld and Steven Gerrard both saw red in an explosive second period,
along with Everton's Francis Jeffers, on a frustrating night for the Kop and the French coach.
The opening minutes were played under a thunderous cacaphony and at the customary frenetic pace of these
passion-filled games. The excitement and adrenalin shook the stands at Anfield to their foundations, but the
quality of the play suffered predictably.
Liverpool had only lost one of the last thirteen at home to Everton, but the visitors arrived in confident mood having
made their best start to a season for 19 years, even better than when they last won the league title in 1986-87
season!
Walter Smith's side came to defend deep, knock the passing game of Liverpool out of synch and break
quickly, and amidst the late challenges and inaccurate passing strewn around liberally, it was the Toffees who
were in the asendency.
Kevin Campbell scored after Jeffers set him up after only four minutes. His neat pass put the former Trabzonspor
striker through and his shot from ten yards beat Westerveld despite the Dutchman's efforts. 1-0.
Liverpool were rattled and Everton continued to look dangerous on the break. They were finding their men with
neater passing than the home side, and were well worth their lead in the opening quarter of the game.
Westerveld pulled off a superb one-handed save from a Jeffers header as the Royal Blues looked to double their
advantage.
A howler of a goalkeeping error from Paul Gerrard nearly let Liverpool back in as he stepped over a backpass and
conceded the corner.
After 38 minutes, Robbie Fowler's vicious dipping shot was pushed out by Gerrard, and as Owen collected the
loose ball and fell under the attentions of Weir and Michael Ball, the majority of the Anfield crowd screamed
for a penalty.
Referee Mike Riley's hands stayed in his pockets. However, with the scarcity of first half Liverpool chances,
a penalty was probably the only way they were going to
pierce a well-marshalled Everton defence.
The Everton front six were palpably giving the Liverpool rearguard more problems, partly because their play was
devoid of the frustration evident in the home side play and partly because Liverpool's offensive outlets weren't
giving their defence the cover their erratic play warranted.
As the second half got underway and Liverpool tried to force the pace attacking their beloved Kop, Francis
Jeffers found himself in the clear twice, but both times he dragged the ball carelessly wide as the occasion got the
better of him.
Vladimir Smicer burst through the Toffees' defence from an advantage by the referee, but his pass was overhit
and allowed Gerrard to dive at the feet of the predatory Fowler.
It was one of the Liverpool man's final contributions of the game as he was sacrificed in a double substitution that
saw Stephen Gerrard and Erik Meijer replace him and the tiring Dietmar Hamman.
Houllier's last throw of the dice came with 20 minutes on the clock. Smicer made way for Titi Camara. As
Liverpool pressed ahead so the inviting gaps, already apparent in the Liverpool backline, grew larger.
Then Francis Jeffers and Sander Westerveld were involved in an amazing spat that saw them both
dismissed. Steve Staunton had to take over the goal-stopping duties as his manager had already used
his three substitutes. Ten-man Liverpool tried to forced the tempo again and won a couple of corners.
Meijer drilled in a low shot from the second that Gerrard turned brilliantly round the post after Ball had inadvertently
directed it goalwards.
Everton were hanging on a little, the fourth official showed five minutes of added on time ,and Walter Smith's sighs
could be heard from as far away as Birkenhead. Liverpool lost another man to indiscipline as Stephen
Gerrard's Kung Fu kick up-ended Campbell.
Everton found some respite as a ball pumped deep into Liverpool territory was controlled by Campbell and Nicky
Barmby brought a tremendous save from Steve Staunton in the Reds' net. Jamie Redknapp, stifled for much of the
game by Don Hutchison and John Collins, may have levelled deep into stoppage time, but his accurate volley
was blocked by another dogged challenge in a blue shirt. Riley blew for time and the Everton end erupted,
heralding their manager's first Mersey derby win.
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