Jota heads it home for Liverpool's 100th Merseyside Derby win

It was far from impressive, but it is enough to stay on track for the title chase and put their names in the history books.

Liverpool topped their city rival, Everton, for the 100th victory in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday night at Anfield thanks to Diogo Jota's second-half winner.

Arne Slot's team restored their 12-point lead at the top of the table despite a challenging game packed with tensions for the entire 90 minutes. Lots of harsh tackles on both sides, feuds and and vocal complaints were there to prove the importance of this game, which provided us with a single goal, but a whole lot of drama.

We saw quite a strange first half, as the hosts were struggling in the defensive transition, allowing tons of space for the Toffees to strike from counterattacks. After one of those, Everton striker Beto had the ball in the back of the net, but the flag was up for the narrow offside. The same player found himself in a perfect goal-scoring opportunity as he tricked Virgil van Dijk before dashing into the box. He was onside this time, but his effort ended on the right post.

Interestingly, Liverpool had just one attacking effort worth mentioning. Luis Diaz superbly crossed it to Mohamed Salah on the far post, but Jordan Pickford denied his decent header.

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Diaz pushed the most for the home side, as he created six chances tonight, the most by a Liverpool player against Everton in a Premier League match since Salah in December 2017. Diogo Jota finally joined him in the second half. The tiny Portuguese winger made the most of Diaz's pass on the edge of the box. Jota approached the penalty spot and fired past Pickford, who had gone the wrong way.

David Moyes' lot were unable to fight back, with their second-half being nowhere near the level of the visitors' attacking performance from the first half. The Reds hold onto the lead and celebrate another important win on their road to the EPL coronation.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 30

Tuesday

Arsenal - Fulham 2-1 (1-0)

/Merino 37, Saka 73 - Muniz 90+4/

Wolverhampton - West Ham 1-0 (1-0)

/Larsen 21/

Nott. Forest - Manchester United 1-0 (1-0)

/Elanga 5/

Wednesday

Bournemouth - Ipswich 1-2 (0-1)

/Evanilson 68 - Broadhead 34, Delap 60/

Brighton - Aston Villa 0-2 (0-0)

/Rashford 51, Asensio 78/

Man.City - Leicester 2-0 (2-0)

/Grealish 2, Marmoush 29/

Newcastle - Brentford 2-1 (1-0)

/Isak 45+2, Tonali 74 - Mbeumo 64 pen/

Southampton - Crystal Palace 1-1 (1-0)

/Onuachu 20 - Matheus Franca 90+2/

Liverpool - Everton 1-0 (0-0)

/Jota 57/

Thursday

22:00: (1.65) Chelsea (4.50) Tottenham (4.70)

***odds are subject to change***