The last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park will be remembered for its breathtaking chaos. A night full of late drama, a stunning equalizer, and a boiling post-match brawl left fans in disbelief. Here’s a breakdown of those wild moments that turned Goodison into a cauldron of emotions.
92nd Minute – A Clash That Stops Play
Liverpool, holding onto their lead after a Mohamed Salah strike, appeared in control. Then, a nasty clash of heads between Carlos Alcaraz and Jarrad Branthwaite halted the game. Both players lay motionless as Everton’s hopes seemed to fade with every passing second.
97:08 – Everton’s Last Hope
With time running out, Everton resorted to hopeful long balls. Vitalii Mykolenko, bursting down the left, launched a looping cross. It seemed speculative at best—until Tim Iroegbunam rose above his marker, glancing a header goalward.
97:10 – Tarkowski’s Stunning Equalizer
As the ball dropped inside the box, James Tarkowski found himself in a golden position. Nine yards out, from the right, he unleashed an unstoppable rocket into the top corner. Goodison Park erupted. The last-second equalizer sent the home crowd into ecstasy.
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97:50 – Pitch Invasion Sparks Chaos
Fans, overwhelmed with emotion, spilled onto the pitch. The celebration quickly turned into a security nightmare. Stewards rushed to contain the excitement, focusing on the now-unearthed corner flag. Over the stadium speakers, the announcer reminded fans that storming the pitch was against the rules.
98:00 – VAR Brings Goodison to a Standstill
Referee Michael Oliver signaled for a lengthy VAR review, silencing the stadium. Liverpool demanded a foul, but the main concern was Abdoulaye Doucoure’s position relative to Virgil van Dijk. The replay also examined a possible push on Ibrahima Konaté. The call was razor-thin, leaving both sets of fans in suspense.
99:00 – Goal Confirmed, Madness Ensues
After what felt like an eternity, VAR confirmed the goal. Goodison exploded once more. Another pitch invasion followed, as Everton fans celebrated wildly. Players from both teams clashed in the aftermath, tempers boiling over under the floodlights.
Full Time – Tensions Reach a Breaking Point
As Oliver blew the final whistle, Doucoure sprinted towards the away fans, celebrating in front of them. This triggered an instant reaction from Curtis Jones, who stormed over to confront the Everton midfielder. The clash escalated into a full-blown melee, with players and even police stepping in to calm the situation.
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Seconds After Full Time – Absolute Mayhem
As emotions ran high, chaos spread across the pitch. Alcaraz, Everton’s new signing, found himself tangled in a scuffle involving a female police officer. Liverpool players, including Darwin Núñez and Van Dijk, rushed in to break things up, but tensions only grew.
Twenty Seconds Later – Objects Fly Onto the Pitch
A bottle flew onto the field, landing dangerously close to the players. Within seconds, nearly every player, along with a dozen backroom staff, crowded around the commotion. Stewards struggled to keep control as emotions ran unchecked.
Forty-Five Seconds Later – Red Cards Fly
Just as things seemed to settle, Liverpool manager Arne Slot lost his temper at Oliver. Furious, he confronted the referee alongside Van Dijk. Oliver had enough—he sent off Slot, his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, Jones, and Doucoure.
Doucoure, unfazed by his dismissal, laughed at Van Dijk, clapping sarcastically before walking off. Everton fans roared in approval as he celebrated with a nearby steward.
Also Read: Liverpool Rejects Xabi Alonso’s Bid for Tyler Morton as Deadline Knocks
A Night to Remember
Goodison Park’s final Merseyside derby ended in unforgettable fashion. A last-second goal, chaotic scenes, and multiple red cards made this one of the most dramatic fixtures in the stadium’s long history. The echoes of that night will live on, long after Everton moves to their new home.