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MW 27 November 2013

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23 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2013 OPINION An incredible 90 minutes opened the scoring before we had even reached our seats and Liverpool were off to a great start. An early lead in the derby is a manager's dream, but Martinez's men had other things in mind. Kevin Mirallas, or the Belgian Ronaldo as Evertonians called him clawed Liverpool back and the stadium erupted. Two goals in the opening five minutes, what a derby treat. Most games tend to fade off after such a start but the day only got better and better. Chants rung around the stadium with the hidden Red support forced to creep into their jackets as the home team sung away. Everton now gained control of the game, stringing passes together and stamping their dominance on the visitors. Moments define football and a clumsy tackle lead to a Liverpool free kick against the run of play. Up steps Luis Suarez, down goes Tim Howard and the crowd was muted. A stunning free kick nestled into the bottom corner, Liverpool were ahead and the grumbles from the home crowd had begun. The first half finally settled with Everton enjoying possession once more and the second half wasn't different. A match day pie and a blasting from Martinez later, Everton were good to go again. The crowd roared their lads on and Everton players literally took it in turns to test Mignolet, in goal for Liverpool. Ross Barkley broke through, saved, Lukaku shortly after, and again after that. Saved, saved Mark Strijbosch STANDING outside I could feel the cool fresh breeze. Echoes of the red hot crowd were heard in the distance and they got louder each step taken. At last my feet felt the soft harrowed turf of Goodison Park and the crowd was in full volume, in surround sound. Head up I marched forward as chants of "You'll Never Walk Alone" got drowned out by the Everton faithful. Then players soon followed me onto the pitch, there's Steven Gerrard who looks smaller in real life I felt. Phil Jagielka by his side followed by more and more chanting from the fans. This was it, the big game and I am a part of it. Everton Football Club invited students from my class to help with the flag parade before kick off and I was not going to be the one to turn this opportunity down. My own heart beat faster and faster, just imagine that of the players'. Taking in all the atmosphere was magical, if only I can sample in a jar and open it every time I need a boost. The famous Merseyside Derby, the famous blue and red clash, the giants of the city. The game didn't disappoint either. Billed as the best Merseyside derby ever, it got off to a flier. Coutinho saved, but you could sense the goal was close. Liverpool hardly showed up at this point until a chance fell to Joe Allen. Tim Howard left stranded, the fans deserting their team to silence as Allen pulled the trigger. Luckily the Welshman's rugby boots were on an he snuffed what was described as a sitter. The turning point had arrived for Everton. At each chance the crowd begged for a goal and at last Mirallas (who was lucky to be on the pitch) broke free again and found Lukaku. He can't miss from there surely? Bang 2-2 the crowd erupts. Everton were back in the game and carried on. The fans were still celebrating and chanting when Everton won a corner. It all happened in slow motion. Like a salmon out of the water Lukaku rose to make perfect contact with the ball. A bullet header and Everton had won the game. It was 3-2, what a comeback, surely that's time ref? The whistle came, but it was for another free kick Liverpool's way. The tension in the crowd could be cut with a knife, and suddenly the ball was floated in. Silence. No one moved. The crowd was stunned. Daniel Sturridge had equalised for Liverpool and all Everton's hard work was undone. What an incredible 90 minutes. A last corner was won by Everton but the ref calls time. This game could have lasted forever. This was definitely the best game of the season so far. Six goals in a derby after both teams lead, a draw sends most people happy and the city of Liverpool is at peace once again. This derby will not be forgotten overnight. Pursuits Across 9. Severe mental disorder (13) 10. Flee (3) 11. Keeps (7) 12. A great deal (4) 13. Household (4) 15. Borders (5) 17. Suit makers (7) 19. Young boy or girl (5) 21. Title of a knight (3) 23. Dry red Spanish wine (5) 24. Graceful in form (7) 25. Graceful birds (5) 27. Continuous dull pain (4) 28. Two identical things (4) 30. Bravery (7) 32. Belonging to us (3) 33. Fireproof theatre curtain (6,7) Sudoku Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday Last week's solution Chess Today's Weather 8 8 WEATHER: Partly cloudy becoming partly to rather cloudy with the possibility of isolated showers later VISIBILITY: Good WIND: 7 Northwest force 5 to 6 becoming force 4 to 5 and decreasing to force 3 to 4 by evening SEA: Rough becoming moderate to rough Low Northwest becoming low to moderate 6 7 5 6 4 3 5 2 1 4 A 3 2 1 A B C D E F G H White to play and mate in four moves B Nc6+ h7 h8=Q Qd8# C D Kd6 Kd7 Kd6 E F G H PARTLY CLOUDY 14ºC / 9ºC UV INDEX: w SWELL: SEA TEMP: 21 °C Down 1. Moving stairway (9) 2. Article of bedding (5) 3. Emperor of Russia (4) 4. Pure (8) 5. Nosy (6) 6. Finishes (4) 7. Mouth organ (9) 8. Wash lightly (5) 14. Roman garments (5) 16. Metal fastener (5) 18. Locomotive (4,5) 20. Cleansing agent (9) 22. Investigate (8) 26. Grownups (6) 27. Prolonged pain (5) 29. Communion table (5) 30. Restaurant (4) 31. Acquire through merit (4)

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