When looking at the statistics, Andy Johnson's two-year stint with Everton was a respectable one. After his arrival on Merseyside from relegated Crystal Palace for a club-record £8.6m in the summer of 2006, the striker went on to score 22 goals in 74 appearances.

Yet, the way that he started his career at Goodison Park, it appeared that Johnson would become the 20 goal-per-season centre-forward that the Everton faithful had yearned for. Not since the days of Gary Lineker in the mid-1980s had a Toffees frontman reached that landmark.

He found the net within 15 minutes of his debut in a home encounter against Watford, before his goal away at Tottenham Hotspur helped his new club end a 21-year wait for a victory at White Hart Lane.

Next up - nine years ago today - was the visit of bitter rivals Liverpool. It's a game that can create heroes among the supporters, which is an opportunity that the lively Johnson grabbed with both hands.

Before Johnson could have his say on proceedings, it was Tim Cahill, who was already a firm favourite among the Everton fans, that broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. Mikel Arteta's cross was flicked on by Lee Carsley and when the ball broke for the Australian, he powered a shot beyond visiting goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Then it was over to Johnson who, before Liverpool could respond, doubled the home team's advantage nine minutes before the break. Jamie Carragher was the villain as far as Liverpool were concerned, with his miscued clearance allowing Johnson to pounce. As Reina approached, the Spanish goalkeeper was probably anticipating that the Everton new boy would fire a shot across him, but instead Johnson squeezed his effort inside the near post.

In terms of possession the second half belonged to Liverpool, but Rafael Benitez's men were unable to turn that domination into goals.

Fittingly, after what had been a lively Merseyside derby debut from Johnson, he showed the opposition how it was done in stoppage time, albeit with a big helping hand from Reina.

Carsley's shot from distance should have been routinely caught by the Liverpool custodian, but he made a hash of it - not once, but twice. Credit to Johnson, though, because in front of watching England head coach Steve McClaren, he capitalised on the error to head home from close range.

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His celebration was equally memorable as he held out his hands to reveal the 3-0 scoreline. It would become an iconic image for Everton fans, which was printed onto posters and T-shirts.

Speaking after the final whistle, Everton boss David Moyes was full of praise for his recent recruit when he said: "Andrew Johnson is an unbelievable striker and is going to get goals.

"He fought hard and showed character and now he knows what it means to be a blue. We always said Andrew would score goals but for his second he said 'I'm going to gamble here'. We are pleased to have him."

Defeated manager Benitez added: "We made a lot of mistakes, and in football you pay for them. In the second half we went forward and created chances but couldn't score."

Everton: Howard; Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Naysmith; Osman (Beattie), Neville, Carsley, Arteta (Valente), Cahill; Johnson

Liverpool: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurelio; Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko (Pennant), Garcia; Fowler (Riise), Crouch (Kuyt)