Everton earns draw with rival Liverpool
Last Updated: Monday, January 19, 2009 | 6:38 PM ET
The Associated Press
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, right, scores in Monday's 1-1 draw. (Paul Thomas/Associated Press) Tim Cahill's late header salvaged a 1-1 draw for Everton against Liverpool on Monday and prevented the crosstown rival Reds from returning to the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool had taken the lead through Steven Gerrard's strike and was three minutes from leapfrogging Manchester United when Cahill sent a glancing header from Victor Anichebe's ball past Pepe Reina after Yossi Benayoun had conceded a needless free kick.
Gerrard's fierce strike past Tim Howard in the 68th minute looked to have settled the 209th Merseyside Derby.
But with strikers Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane substituted by the time Cahill pounced, a late winner from lone striker Dirk Kuyt never looked likely.
While the Reds are level on 47 points with United, Sir Alex Ferguson's defending champions have a superior goal difference and a game in hand.
Liverpool's preparations were overshadowed by another bout of internal feuding, which saw Benitez rejecting a new contract because it did not give him full control over transfers.
Recent slip-ups have allowed United, with three consecutive wins, to take control of the title race for the first time this season.
Benitez had reacted angrily to Ferguson's assertion that nerves would cause Liverpool's title challenge to falter, but his side is providing considerable evidence to support the 67-year-old Scot's assertions.
Just 55 seconds had elapsed when Everton forced Pepe Reina into his first save, with Anichebe bringing the ball down on his chest and unleashing a low volley.
Liverpool's attempts at creativity were thwarted by Everton's physical approach, with challenges on Gerrard by Phil Neville, Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta unpunished by referee Howard Webb. Kuyt, Keane and Martin Skrtel were also fouled without any bookings.
The Toffees posed little threat until a quick counter-attack ended with Cahill's header saved by Reina at the far post.
Steven Pienaar became the first player to be booked when he forced Torres off the ball with a challenge.
Liverpool's best chance came after the half-hour mark when Torres — starting for the first time since November after hamstring troubles — latched onto Sami Hyypia's deep ball and beat two defenders, but he chipped wide of the on-rushing Howard.
As snow flurries descended on the field, Reina was called into action again to block Leon Osman's shot before halftime.
While Liverpool dominated possession in the first period, Everton had more efforts on target.
The Reds sought to correct that after the break, with Albert Riera quickly letting fly from 25 yards with a shot that swerved wide.
Torres was appealing for a penalty inside two minutes when hauled down by Phil Jagielka.
Gerrard had a shot spilled by Howard and as Hyypia raced in to connect with the rebound, Leighton Baines made a decisive block.
Everton thought Webb should have awarded a penalty when Skrtel tangled with Anichebe in the 67th minute, but instead, the visitors conceded on Gerrard's low strike — from 20 yards to the right of Howard.
