Everton 2 Liverpool 0: Blues finally beat neighbours at Goodison

At last they have done it! Everton beat Liverpool at Goodison Park this evening and ended a hoodoo at home that had become embarrassingly long running.

Coming into tonight's clash I had not been optimistic of course (when are we ever when playing that lot!) but I felt just maybe the long barren run might well come to an end.

And the Blues players did it, securing a two goal win that not only significantly boosts their prospects of staying up, but has pleasingly put a severe dent in the Reds chances of winning the title too. It also meant Jurgen Klopp was finally beaten at Goodison in his last derby.

Everton are now on thirty-three points after tonight's unexpected bonus win and probably only need one more victory from the remaining four matches to ensure Premier League survival.

A first half strike from that unlikely source of goals Jarrad Branthwaite (with Dominic Calvert-Lewin following up to make sure) and then a superb back post header from Calvert-Lewin himself in the second, secured the points and a precious derby day win at last.

The Toffees still had to dig deep and Jordan Pickford made several good saves to deny the visitors but in the end the win was still well deserved.

Liverpool had plenty of the ball but in truth didn't really create that much with Dawin Nunez wasting several and shooting straight at Pickford and Luis Diaz hitting the woodwork late on.

But Everton defended very well overall and offered a good threat themselves going forward as Calvert-Lewin led the line excellently and along with the midfield worked hard and pressed well.

Sean Dyche had been able to pick him up front, although there had been some doubt about whether the number nine would be fit enough to play tonight with Beto of course definitely out.

Fortunately he was and he contributed to a strong and vibrant performance from the home side on a night when the Grand Old Lady was really rocking and back to her best.

So, the long win-less run against Liverpool at home is finally over and Everton have a terrific and let's be honest, very improbable win against their fiercest rivals to celebrate tonight.

Now, can they possibly make it a hat-trick of home victories by beating Brentford this weekend? That would make this week a truly historic and potentially season-defining one for the Blues.