LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — The 120th and final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park delivered a stunning finish as James Tarkowski grabbed an equalizer for Everton in the eighth minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday.
With virtually the last kick of the game, the center back smashed a shot into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations inside one of English soccer’s most venerable and atmospheric stadiums, which will be demolished at the end of this season.
The “Grand Old Lady” — as Goodison Park is fondly called by the locals — has been Everton’s home since 1892. The club is moving to a new 52,888-capacity venue at Bramley-Moore Dock on Liverpool’s waterfront.
Tarkowski’s goal denied Liverpool a victory that would have lifted the leaders nine points clear atop the Premier League. Instead, Liverpool leads Arsenal by seven points after 24 games.
Beto put Everton ahead in the 11th before Alexis Mac Allister equalized in the 16th by heading home a right-wing cross from Mohamed Salah, who put Liverpool in front in the 73rd.
Home fans created a typically feverish atmosphere — blue smoke filled the air around the ground before kickoff and Everton’s players were given a rapturous welcome as they arrived for the game — and they witnessed the most amazing of finishes.
The stats will show the teams met 120 times in all competitions at Goodison Park starting with the first meeting in 1894 and each won 41 times.
It was a rearranged league game, with the original meeting — scheduled for Dec. 7 — postponed because of stormy weather.
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The Associated Press
