GARY SPEED put the brake on Liverpool's charge to the top of the English Premiership last night with a dramatic late equaliser at Anfield. Everton's £3.5 million summer buy from Leeds struck after 82 minutes to cancel out Robbie Fowler's opener for Liverpool.
Fowler's goal, his 11th of the season and his ninth in seven games, would have been enough to take Liverpool above Newcastle. But then Speed homed in on Andy Hinchcliffe's free kick to head the ball beyond David James.
Both sides fielded the same teams that were so impressive at the weekend, when Liverpool won 2-0 at Leeds while Everton thrashed Southampton 7-1. However, Liverpool manager Roy Evans was forced to make a change after 17 minutes as Steve McManaman pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring strain. Stan Collymore, the subject of a reported £4.5 million bid by Aston Villa last week, replaced the England international.
Referee Stephen Lodge took only four minutes to produce the first yellow card of the 155th meeting between these Merseyside rivals. Liverpool's Michael Thomas was cautioned for a stiff challenge on Nick Barmby on the edge of the area. Hinchcliffe, however, sent the free kick high into the crowd.
That was as good as it got in the first half for Everton, who scored five goals in that time at the weekend. Liverpool dominated and were only inches away from taking the lead after 26 minutes following another dangerous corner from Stig Inge Bjornebye. Mark Wright got in a towering header that defeated goalkeeper Neville Southall, only for Speed to get a foot in and clear off the line.
Four minutes later, Liverpool got the breakthrough. Inevitably, it was Fowler who was back on target. Southall did superbly well to tip away a powerful 25 yard effort from Jamie Redknapp. Bjornebye and Redknapp linked up from the corner with the England midfielder floating in a delightful ball from the egge of the area. Fowler was perfectly positioned to send a header looping over the Everton goalkeeper and under the crossbar.
Duncan Ferguson's appearance after the interval seemed to give Everton the boost they needed and Liverpool found themselves on the defensive. Thomas gave away a free kick after tangling with Speed, but Hinchcliffe fired his effort over the top. Speed, who scored a hat trick against Southampton, turned quickly in the penalty box, only for James to stand up and block the shot.
Liverpool stepped up the pace again and Southall again made a marvellous save, turning away Collymore's powerful header after Bjornebye had supplied the cross. Bjornebye, such a tireless worker, took the corner and John Barnes was only inches wide with his header. But then came that equaliser.
Afterwards, Roy Evans accused his players of "losing the plot. We had a good first half where we matched them pace for pace, then set the tempo. But in the second half we lost the plot. We are just forgetting to pass the hall at the moment. The best form of defence is to keep the ball. We are still in there, though, with the teams at the top and this was a tough game."
McManaman could miss the Wimbledon, match on Saturday after limping off in the 17th minute with a tight hamstring. "It is not a fresh injury, it was something he picked up before Euro 96 and he is doubtful for the weekend," added Evans.
Everton manager Joe Royle admitted he was disappointed his side did not convert one point into three. "Not many sides will come here and have so much possession. We might have nicked it and the signs are good for us. Fergie was very rusty, but he gave us a physical presence we didn't have in the first half. He has a massive influence on the team. Fowler seems to be following in Ian Rush's footsteps. He is a terrific player and you can't give him any room. It was a terrific finish."
