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Liverpool logo
Premier League
Feb 6, 2010 at 3pm UK
 
Everton logo

1-0

Kuyt (55')
Kyrgiakos (34')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Pienaar (90')

On this day: Dirk Kuyt heads Liverpool past Everton in fiery encounter

On this day in 2010 Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool beat Everton in a pulsating Merseyside derby.

Twice a year Merseyside is taken over by derby fever, and this weekend Everton and Liverpool will go head-to-head once again as the two clubs look to claim bragging rights.

Over the years the fixture has been filled with excellent performances, controversial moments and unforgettable memories, and it's safe to assume that the match at Goodison Park will steal the headlines on Saturday.

On this day in 2010, the Merseyside derby took centre stage at Anfield as Liverpool triumphed over their rivals in match which saw a player from each side sent off.

Referee Martin Atkinson shows a red card to Steven Pienaar of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 6, 2010© Getty Images

David Moyes took his side across the city on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run, but it proved to be a tough day for the Blues as Liverpool battled to a deserved win.

Referee Martin Atkinson did his best to allow the game to flow, and his eagerness to play advantage as much as possible resulted in a number of heavy tackles getting the crowd involved early on.

The intensity would never drop in a fiery counter, and chances were rare as tough, and sometimes reckless, challenges dominated the early exchanges.

Steven Pienaar appeared fortunate to get away with just a yellow card after catching Javier Mascherano in the shin, but the game's major talking point would arrive in the 33rd minute.

Neither Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos nor Everton's Marouane Fellaini were willing to back out of a 50/50 tackle, and both players missed the ball to leave the other writhing in agony.

Fellaini escaped punishment for the challenge, and he was stretchered off as Kyrgiakos, who would need stitches in his shin, was forced to accept the red card from Atkinson.

Liverpool excelled with a man fewer as Mascherano impressed in an emergency right-back role as Rafael Benitez reshuffled his defence in reaction to the Greek's dismissal.

There was still time for more drama in the closing minutes of the first half as both sides came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock.

Steven Gerrard first clipped the crossbar with a free kick which had left Tim Howard helpless, before Tim Cahill headed Everton's best chance over after the hosts had failed to clear.

Cahill's miss looked an even bigger turning point 10 minutes after the interval as Dirk Kuyt shrugged off Phil Neville in the box to head home the winner from Gerrard's inviting corner.

Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool scores the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 6, 2010© Getty Images

Everton continued to struggle building up any pressure, and even the introduction of Victor Anichebe and Yakubu from the bench couldn't bring the chances the visitors needed.

Jamie Carragher led by example in the closing stages by making a number of vital clearances to the delight of the Liverpool faithful, who were treated to a stubborn defensive display from their side.

A disappointing afternoon for Everton was made even worse in stoppage time as Pienaar reacted angrily to a Gerrard foul to receive a second yellow card.

Liverpool: Reina, Agger, Insua, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Maxi (Aurelio), Kuyt (Skrtel), Ngog (Babel)

Everton: Howard, Baines, Heitinga, Distin, Neville, Donovan, Cahill, Pienaar, Osman (Yakubu), Fellaini (Arteta), Saha (Anichebe)

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Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 28, 2014
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