Steven Gerrard delighted as Liverpool win 'perfect derby'
Published 23:00 06/02/10 By Simon Mullock
Steven Gerrard surveyed the crime count, the injury wreckage and the fall-out from an epic Merseyside derby and declared: “That’s the way the fans love it.”
The Liverpool skipper was right. The Reds, reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Sotirios Kyrgiakos after 34 minutes, triumphed thanks to Dirk Kuyt’s opportunist header.
Referee Martin Atkinson showed two red cards, six yellow and still won herograms from both sides.
Liverpool skipper Gerrard said: “That’s what derbies are all about. It was perfect. Passion, commitment and fight. We’ve beaten a very good Everton side today with ten men and we should all enjoy this win.
“They have been on a fabulous run but we’ve beaten them after going a man down. The tackles were flying in but that’s what it’s like in every derby.
“I thought the ref was absolutely superb. He let things go when he could.
“That’s what the fans come to see - commitment and spirit. There’s still a lot of difficult work ahead but we’re capable of beating anyone.”
Kyrgiakos was dismissed for a double-footed challenge on Marouane Fellaini.The Everton midfield star was carried off and taken to hospital.
Precautionary X-rays revealed there had been no fractures. Everton had Steven Pienaar red carded in added time for his second bookable offence.
Everton manager David Moyes said: “I can’t enjoy it now, but when I look back in time I’ll probably think it was a great match to be involved in. It was quite feisty at times but that’s why supporters enjoy them. It was a definite sending off for their boy. It was a two-footed tackle and the Liverpool player had both feet off the floor.
“Fellaini has been for an X-ray. Fortunately it’s clear.”
Moyes also had no qualms about Pienaar seeing red. He said: “We’ve no complaints about Pienaar’s sending-off because he was fortunate to stay on the pitch earlier in the game for a tackle.”
Kuyt has been a key man in Liverpool’s on-going revival.
The Dutchman said: “It was a very tough game especially after the red card but we defended very well and scored a great goal from a set-piece.”
Manager Rafa Benitez said: “It was a massive win. It was a great result for us.”
Troubled Sunderland boss Steve Bruce insisted last night that he will not chuck the towel in as his side’s run without a Premier League win was stretched to 11 games after a 1-1 draw with Wigan.
The Black Cats, booed off at half -time and full time, equalised with Kenwyne Jones’ seventh goal of the season after Mohamed Diame had put Wigan ahead.
Bruce admitted: “The one thing I am not going to do is give it up.
“I have never given anything up in my life.”
