AND JOTA BREAKS THE DEADLOCK! Diaz picks up a loose ball and plays in Jota, who still had quite a few defenders to dribble through, which he did with aplomb, before coolly slotting with his right foot.
SBNATION
Liverpool secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton in the 246th Merseyside Derby, with Diogo Jota’s brilliant solo effort proving the difference. The Reds dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create clear-cut chances, while Everton remained a threat on the counter, hitting the post and having a goal ruled out for offside. Controversy struck early when James Tarkowski escaped a red card for a reckless challenge, adding to frustrations over officiating. Despite their dominance, Liverpool lacked composure in the final third and went into halftime still searching for a breakthrough.
The second half saw Liverpool ramp up the pressure, and their persistence finally paid off when Jota weaved through defenders and slotted home. The game remained tense, with contentious refereeing decisions continuing—Jota and Darwin Núñez both received questionable yellow cards. Late substitutions saw Darwin and Gakpo introduced to see out the match, and despite a nervy finish, Liverpool held firm. The victory extends their lead to 12 points at the top of the table, leaving them just 13 points away from securing the title.
