Goodison Park is a special place. This past season was **Everton**’s final one in the famous old ground.
It is one of the final few stadiums in England that evokes the feeling of yesteryear.
The way it gradually appears as you walk through a residential area, the vintage feeling when standing outside, and the rustic look upon entry — a feeling very few grounds can muster up nowadays.
Such a storied ground deserved a storied derby attached to it, and that is precisely what Goodison had in the Merseyside Derby.
When **Liverpool**made the mile-long trip from Anfield on a cold midweek February night, it was to be the 120th and final time the Reds would visit, and Everton fans wanted nothing more than to go out with a bang. However, even the most optimistic Evertonian could not have predicted how this one would have panned out.
The Build Up
The atmosphere was electric; it was a true occasion, a moment in time. This was to be Everton’s last dance against their old rivals at this particular battleground, and the fans understood this fixture’s importance.
To make the occasion even more poignant, David Moyes returned to the dugout and was set to take charge of his first Merseyside Derby in over a decade.
**Everton**do not often get one over their inner-city rivals; in fact, over the past few decades, it has become a particular thorn in the side of the Toffees as they often taste defeat at the hands of Liverpool and then are forced to watch them go on to further success.
So, when, at the final derby at Goodison, much-maligned striker Beto gave Everton a shock lead, the Toffee faithful began dreaming—maybe, just maybe, they could pull off an upset and beat their more successful rival in front of 40,000 baying fans.
But when, mere minutes later, Liverpool were level through a header from Alexis Mac Allister, Everton fans began to fear the Premier League leaders would ruin their party and reign supreme.
And when perennial goal machine Mohamed Salah put **Arne Slot**’s side ahead with just 20 minutes to go, it appeared that would be it. Once again, Everton would be the punchline to Liverpool’s joke, and the final derby at Goodison Park would be remembered for Slot’s team coming and brushing the Toffees aside as they so often do.
The Moment
The Toffees huffed and puffed, but Liverpool stood firm, and they would have to stay concentrated for a little while longer as the fourth official held up his board displaying eight minutes.
The minutes ticked by, and try as they might, the Blues could not find a way through.
It seemed that the status quo had been upheld, despite the occasion. Despite all the build-up, all the fanfare and all the noise, Liverpool were going to do what they pretty much always do: beat Everton.
That was until, in the game's dying embers, Jack Harrison attempted to cross, cannoned into Dominik Szoboszlai, and landed at the feet of Vitalii Mykolenko, who found himself in a crossing position; it was now or never.
The Ukrainian launched what has to be described as a hopeful and desperate ball into the Liverpool box, praying for something to happen.
French centre-back Ibrahima Konaté misjudged the bounce on the ball and saw it sail over his head. Youngster Tim Iroegbunam managed to get his head to it and nodded it to his right, hoping someone wearing blue would be there.
There was someone wearing blue, but perhaps not the man people expected.
It was James Tarkowski who found himself completely free on the right-hand side of the Liverpool box, but the England international did not have time to dawdle; he did not have time to think. The ball was slowly falling down, and this was to be Everton’s final chance to rescue something in the final showdown between these two at the Goodison.
Time stood still, the famous old stadium held its collective breath. Tarkowski made connection with the ball, first time, on the volley.
And would you believe it, the centre back’s effort fired into the back of the net, past the massive frame of Alisson.
Cue pandemonium.
Goodison Park became absolutely unglued, the noise that reverberated around the ground was one that had not been heard in these parts for many a decade. Tarkowski ran round the pitch like a man possessed, like a man who did not quite believe what he had just done.
Everton fans entered the pitch, flares were set alight, and tears were shed. This was not just a goal; it was a cultural event, one that was felt throughout the entirety of the footballing world.
It was a cathartic goal for Everton fans, but it caused ugly scenes in the post-match, as both Curtis Jones and Arne Slot were sent off after the game
Yes, over the years, Liverpool have very much won the war against Everton, consistently beating them and lifting football’s greatest honours, but in this moment, Everton had won the battle and an all-important one—the final one at this famous stadium. If only for a moment, Everton had their moment in the sun.
So, while the Premier League season has blessed us with many a great moment this campaign, it is clear that **James Tarkowski**’s last-gasp equaliser against Liverpool is this season’s definite moment and one that will be remembered for many a generation.
An incredible way to say goodbye to Merseyside Derbies at Goodison Park.