Moyes Reflects on Thrilling Merseyside Derby Draw

David Moyes described last night’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Goodison Park as “mental” and a fitting conclusion to the final Merseyside derby at the stadium.

Speaking after the game, Moyes admitted his side would have preferred to take all three points but praised their determination to fight back after falling 2-1 behind.

“A brilliant finish to the last Merseyside derby here,” Moyes said. “We’d have liked to have won the game, but when you’re 2-1 down, it looked like Liverpool would keep us out. We worked hard and kept at it.”

James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured Everton secured a valuable point, and Moyes was full of praise for the defender, especially after a difficult outing in the previous match.

“Tarky did it when it mattered,” he said. “After his game at the weekend, he’ll be pleased to get the goal. It was a great goal and will be remembered in history.”

Reflecting on the atmosphere and drama of the occasion, Moyes ranked the match among his most memorable experiences in the Everton dugout.

“It was right up there,” he admitted. “It was great at the end. The night was made for something to happen. It wasn’t the best game—more of a throwback—but the moment was special.”

The result meant that Everton and Liverpool are now level on 41 Merseyside derby wins apiece, something Moyes was well aware of.

“I was thinking it, aye,” he said. “I knew it would come up if we didn’t save it. I was going to say, ‘does it really matter?’ but once we scored the goal, then it mattered!”