MARCH 20
Moyes: Martyn took blame

By Patrick Goss - Planet Football/Sky Sports

David Moyes revealed that Nigel Martyn had accepted responsibility for both goals conceded in Everton's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Although clearly at fault for the second, when he failed to deal with Fernando Morientes's long range effort, it appeared the former Leeds United man was not to blame for Steven Gerrard's opener when he fired through a crowd of players from a set piece.

However, Moyes paid testament to Martyn's honesty in admitting his mistakes, and insisted that the keeper had distinguished himself over the past two years.

"Nigel Martyn has probably been our best player over the past two years," asserted Moyes.

"There was perhaps a case today for Nigel to hold his hands up, and to be fair, he has done that.

"He has distinguished himself in the past and is a terrific keeper that has saved us many times in the past and hopefully it won't happen again."

Moyes believes Liverpool deserved the win for their scintillating first half display - admitting that Everton have played beyond themselves to put themselves fourth in The Premiership.

"I thought Liverpool were excellent in the first half," added the Everton boss. "They came out and competed and put us under pressure, as we knew they would.

"We didn't get a lot of protection and didn't get the decisions that mattered.

"Four points clear in fourth is a decent number, although we hoped to make it more today.

"To even talk about Everton being in this position is exciting for everybody.

"We didn't set out to be here and we don't have the finance to be in this position. Some people have spent £100 million to be in fourth."

MARCH 20
Rafa delight at victory

By Patrick Goss - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was overjoyed with a 2-1 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Benitez praised his players for overcoming injuries and the sending off of hapless Milan Baros, as they forged a 2-1 victory over their neighbours.

"I'm delighted with the players, the supporters and for the club," said Benitez. "It was a fantastic victory.

"We started with a high tempo, tried to play well on the counter-attack and pressured them.

"After 20 minutes, we lost one player [Stephen Warnock] and at end, with ten players, we did a fantastic job.

Luis Garcia had a problem with his ankle and we struggled to play on with essentially nine players.

"We tried to keep the defence tight and play on the counter and Milan had two great opportunities.

"It is difficult we lose one player each game and it makes it difficult to be consistent.

"We lost Fernando Morientes, Warnock, (Didi) Hamman and now Baros for at least a game."

MARCH 20
Gerrard hails Liverpool "lions"

Soccer 365

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said the Reds "defended like lions" to make sure of three points from Sunday's 201st Merseyside derby.

Gerrard opened the scoring and Luis Garcia doubled the advantage before Tim Cahill set up a frantic finish with an 82nd-minute goal. But the Reds held on to cut the gap between Everton and themselves to just four points as the chase for fourth place - and possible Champions League qualification - hots up.

Gerrard said afterwards: "The game could have been a lot easier if Milan Baros had taken his chances but unfortunately he missed them and was later sent off."

But he added: "As a defensive unit we defended like lions today.

"Everything went wrong with injuries (to Fernando Morientes, Dietmar Hamann and Stephen Warnock) in the first half but we stuck together and ground it out.

"We dominated the game to get 2-0 ahead - but then there was hard work."

Gerrard is hoping his performance will silence some of the critics who were unhappy with the midweek goalless draw against Blackburn.

He said: "I always enjoy playing and scoring and it was nice to get my 10th goal of the season - we knew nothing else would do other than the three points today.

"I'm captain of this club so I'll take criticism - some of it is a little bit unfair but I'll take it on the chin and get on with it."

MARCH 20
Ten-man Liverpool see off Everton

BBC Sport Online

Liverpool deservedly won the 201st Merseyside derby against Everton and closed the gap to four points on their rivals for a Champions League place.

Steven Gerrard side-footed in a 20-yard set piece to give Liverpool the lead.

Luis Garcia nodded in a Reds second after keeper Nigel Martyn could only parry a Fernando Morientes shot on to his crossbar and into his six-yard box.

Milan Baros was sent-off for the home side before Everton's Tim Cahill rifled in a shot which proved to be in vain.

The match was billed as one of the most important derbies between the sides as they chased a Champions League spot and the much-needed finances qualification could yield.

Liverpool started promisingly but were forced into a reshuffle when left-back Stephen Warnock was forced off through injury shortly before taking the lead after 27 minutes.

Garcia was fouled on the edge of the Everton area by Tony Hibbert and Gerrard caught Martyn out by going for placement rather than power after Dietmar Hamann touched the free-kick into his path.

Everton were determined to stop Liverpool getting into any kind of rhythm but the Anfield side did manage to produce flashes of the slick play and passing they have shown only intermittently this season.

And they extended their lead five minutes later when Morientes attempted a long range dipping shot which surprised Martyn, who fell into his net as he palmed the ball on to his crossbar.

The ball bounced into his six-yard box and Garcia nodded home.

Garcia was in the thick of the action and blazed over after Baros ended a surge on Everton's goal with a poor shot.

But Rafael Benitez's worries mounted when both Hamann and Morientes limped off injured.

A Lee Carsley free-kick went wide in Everton's only threat on goal in the opening half and David Moyes brought striker James Beattie on after the break to inject some urgency in their play.

The visitors could have been put out of the game before Beattie had a chance to have an impact when an Alan Stubbs slip left Baros with a clear run on goal.

The Czech forward's control let him down and allowed Hibbert to track back to clear before he fizzed a 25-yard half-volley just over and again spurned a one-on-one with Martyn.

The striker's misery was compounded when he was red carded for a late and high challenge on Stubbs.

Cahill powered in an angled shot from a Duncan Ferguson knock down to give Everton hope only for a desperate rearguard action to earn Liverpool the points.