Evertonians cherish every Merseyside Derby victory and while Leighton Baines took this 2-1 success for his Under-18s side at Finch Farm in his stride, remaining calm throughout and staying back to pick up equipment from the touchline after his jubilant young charges had returned to the dressing room, he’ll know just how important it feels to his players.
Baines, 38 next month, was part of the last senior Everton team to defeat Liverpool at Goodison Park more than a dozen, long years ago.
The occasion – as if you need reminding – was the 2-0 victory on October 17, 2010 as goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta secured a welcome three points for David Moyes’ men and left Roy Hodgson’s side languishing in the relegation zone despite the beleaguered Reds boss insisting it had been their best performance of the season to date. Liverpool’s new US owners John W Henry and Tom Werner were present to check out their recently-acquired purchase for the first time but while they’ve remained at the helm since, Hodgson was out of the door some 84 days later.
