Anatomy of Merseyside derby mayhem: Tarkowski’s goal, agonising VAR check and four red cards - Iqraa news

Liverpool's Curtis Jones and Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure clash after the Merseyside derby

Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure were sent off after the final whistle - Reuters/Phil Noble

The last Goodison Park derby ever exploded into chaos in added on time to leave Everton fans celebrating one of the most memorable crescendos to a game in the old stadium’s history. Here is a minute-by-minute breakdown of a breathtaking dying moments which left home fans in ecstasy:

92 mins

Liverpool, having secured their lead via Mohamed Salah, are cruising. A clash of heads between Carlos Alcaraz and Jarrad Branthwaite, leaves both players going down and the match appears to be drifting away from Everton.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jarrad Branthwaite clash heads

Everton players Carlos Alcaraz and Jarrad Branthwaite clash heads leading to a lengthy stoppage - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt

97 min and eight seconds

Everton are reduced to hit and hope. Vitalii Mykolenko bustles his way down the left and sends a looping, hopeful ball which bounces once and Tim Iroegbunam glances a header beyond his marker.

97 min and ten seconds

The ball drops for James Tarkowski on the right side of the box nine yards out and he absolutely rockets it into the top corner. Goodison Park explodes with elation at the most dramatic of last-second equalisers.

97 min 50

Goodison Park is in delirium at the equaliser and there is a small pitch invasion in the corner where Tarkowski had been celebrate. The stadium announcer warns fans they are breaking the law for breaching the pitch as the stewards do their best to protect the corner flag which had been unearthed in the carnage.

Everton fans run onto the pitch to celebrate after James Tarkowski

The corner flag is dislodged during the celebrations - Getty Images/Alex Pantling

98 mins

Michael Oliver informs the players a lengthy VAR check is taking place plunging the entire stadium into confusion. Liverpool initially appeal for a foul, but the main point of contention is whether Virgil van Dijk body position is keeping Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure onside. It’s a wafer thin call. VAR also check and clear a possible Doucoure push on Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.

The VAR offside check for Everton's late goal against Liverpool

VAR checked whether Abdoulaye Doucoure was in front of Virgil van Dijk but he was judged onside - TNT Sport

99 mins

After what seems like an eternal wait, the goal is given and the stadium erupts, with even more pitch invasion and clashes between the players.

100 mins

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones clash as the Everton midfielder celebrates in front of the Liverpool fans.

This sparks a melee as players from both sides and police get involved.

Everton and Liverpool players clash after the Merseyside derby

Both sets of players run to the fracas involving Doucoure and Jones - TNT Sport

Police officers help break up the scenes with some fans also making it onto the pitch

Police officers help break up the scenes with some fans also making it onto the pitch - TNT Sport

Both players are sent off by Michael Oliver before Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff are also shown red as they marched on to the Goodison turf to remonstrate with Oliver.

Arne Slot shouts at referee Michael Oliver after the Merseyside derby

Arne Slot remonstrates with referee Michael Oliver at full-time and was shown a red card - TNT Sport

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