Second guessing Rafael Benitez’s match selections has never been a fruitful task but his early substitution of Steven Gerrard took matter to an altogether new level. Gerrard is the sort of player you would turn to in situations like the one Liverpool were facing at Goodison Park. If anything, there were two other midfieders who were playing much worse than Gerrard.

Benitez is like that, he’ll do whatever he feels is needed and doesn’t look at reputations. It was a brave decision but one that ultimately paid off, if only just.

Good Game
It is telling that, despite their ball possession, Pepe Reina didn’t have a single save to make. Confident in his handling of the ball, he was unlucky to be beaten by an own goal. Of the back four, only Jamie Carragher played to the level we’ve become used to and his covering saved Liverpool on a couple of occasions.

Despite his substitution, Steven Gerrard had a good game. He won the penalty and looked to be dictating things. How much of a boost was it for the Everton players to see him come off? The same goes for Yossi Benayoun who started brightly and looked dangerous whenever he got the ball to his feet. Again, his substitution was a surprise.

Up front, Dirk Kuyt was quite for long stretches but it takes someone special to bear the pressure of having to take a last minute penalty in the derby. Kuyt did so and converted. His reaction after both goals was absolutely priceless. Players tend to kiss badges too easily for my liking but in Kuyt’s case I think he really means it.

Which leaves Andri Voronin who is also my man of the match. A couple of, admittedly bad, misses aside he was excellent. Running and covering back to a degree that would have made Kuyt ask for a breather, he also used the ball intelligently whenever in possession. It was his work and pass that set off Gerrard for the first penalty and he played a significant role in the second one as well.

Bad Game
Sami Hyppia might seem an easy target because of the own goal but in reality he had a tough game against Yakubu and Anichebe. So too Steve Finnan who just couldn’t handle Joleon Lescott. On the other side, John Arne Riise had less to do and more room to move forward neither of which he did remarkably well.

I guess that both Momo Sissoko and Javier Mascherano did their jobs of shielding the defence well enough. Sadly, neither one of them looked like they could pass the ball to another Liverpool player throughout the whole ninety minutes.

The Substitutes
Lucas was obviously in the spotlight having replaced Gerrard and he did really well and would have got the winner were it not for Neville’s goalkeeping skills. Once again, Ryan Babel looked like a striker who is being asked to play on the wing. He did well enough and troubled Everton to the extent that Moyes but on Leighton Baines to cover that area but I’d be amazed if Babel turns out to be a long term solution in that position. Jermaine Pennant came on late on but did manage to put over a couple of good passes and played a part in the second penalty.