The Premier League have confirmed why Everton's 98th-minute equaliser against Liverpool was allowed to stand following a lengthy VAR check. James Tarkowski hammered home for the hosts deep into added time to cap the last ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. As Everton fans invaded the pitch in pandemonium, Liverpool appealed for offside relating to Abdoulaye Doucoure's role in the goal. The Premier League said via their Match Centre account on X: "The referee's call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR, who established that Doucoure was in an onside position in the build-up.".
What their statement didn't clear up, however, was the potential foul on Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate by Everton's Beto. Everton took the lead through Beto in the 11th minute. But Liverpool responded quickly through Alexis Mac Allister before Mo Salah put the Reds ahead late on. It wasn't enough to win, though, as Everton captain Tarkowski struck, blasting the ball past Alisson Becker. "Mental probably sums it up," Everton boss David Moyes told TNT Sports. "A brilliant finish for us, to finish the last Goodison Merseyside derby and score in the last minute is in a way fitting. We would have liked to have won the game but at 2-1 down I was just thinking that we probably weren't going to get back in, it just looked like Liverpool would keep us out.
"We worked hard, kept at it, probably had more attempts in the second half than the first. Tarky had the quality which was the one that really mattered.". Should Everton's equaliser have stood? Have your say in the comments section. After full-time, there was a mass brawl between both sets of players. Doucoure had celebrated in front of the away section. "It was a very big provocation from one certain player," Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said. "We all saw it and reacted as a team as we were able to do. You know what happens nowadays, it becomes one big tussle. Then it is not me who has to deal with it, it is the referee and today I am not sure he had it fully under control.".
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