Code red as Murphy lays down the law

How we have relished this season the advent of that Merseyside cultural phenomenon, pure Blues from the David Moyes Big Band. But yesterday, on an afternoon when that special young member, Wayne Rooney, had to give best to his new England companion Michael Owen, Moyes' men were rarely allowed to harmonise and strike up their typically impressive rhythm. Everton finished with only nine men in a contest when 10 yellow cards were brandished by Paul Durkin. But long before that it appeared that Gérard Houllier's side were enjoying numerical superiority.

Afterwards Moyes claimed: "I don't think we deserved to lose. Territorially we dominated the game. We just missed a little bit of craft to open things up." In truth, that analysis did not pay sufficient credit to the contribution of Liverpool who, after a cautious start, gradually asserted themselves with Steven Gerrard, Danny Murphy and Dietmar Hamann dominating midfield. Despite Moyes' spirited defence of his team, they rarely possessed the vision to maintain their Champions' League ambitions.

The difference between the sides was epitomised by the respective displays of Rooney and Owen. The latter scored his 24th goal of the season and distracted the home defence throughout with some purposeful running; the former began as though determined to win single-handedly the first Merseyside derby he has started, but apart from the occasional injection of undoubted class, he ended up playing a rather peripheral role.

As Owen – an ally against Turkey, an adversary here – has insisted this week, for all Rooney's impetuous ascendancy to England inclusion and acclamation, the Toffees' ascendancy has been achieved largely without his assistance. Including yesterday, he has started only 10 games in all competitions. Moyes has nurtured the 17-year-old impeccably, refusing to yield to those who would prefer a more liberal exposure of his talents. It was put to the Everton manager that the game had been a difficult experience for the 17-year-old. "I keep telling you," the Everton manager responded quietly. "You've got to let the boy grow."

Before yesterday, Liverpool had lost only one of nine Merseyside derbies under Houllier's stewardship. This, arguably, was their most daunting "Old Firm" renewal. With Sami Hyypia suspended and Stephane Henchoz still injured it produced the worrying sight, for Liverpool followers, of Igor Biscan and Djimi Traore anchoring the rearguard.

In the early minutes there was no disguising Rooney's determination. He just failed to get a toe to a long boot forward from goalkeeper Richard Wright, and then lashed the ball over the bar from long range. He also inadvertently caused Liverpool to reorganise further when he caught Biscan in the back, challenging for a high ball. The Croatian departed, replaced by Salif Diao at right-back with Jamie Carragher moving to the centre.

Then Rooney collided with Jerzy Dudek in the air, causing the goalkeeper to drop the ball; Kevin Campbell followed in but his weak attempt was cleared off the line by Carragher. Almost immediately, Hamann felled Thomas Gravesen with an ugly challenge. Gerrard, captain for the day, launched a tirade at referee Durkin against his team-mate being booked. Not only did he fail in that, but the England man responsible for the assault on Gary Naysmith in the corresponding game at Anfield in December, which subsequently earned him a four-game ban, was duly cautioned himself. It was Naysmith who took the free-kick, but his shot was saved acrobatically by Dudek.

Liverpool appeared relatively untroubled by the switch in personnel and eased up a notch. It was no great surprise when, on the half hour, an incisive move involving Milan Baros and John Arne Riise concluded with Owen eluding Gravesen and beating Wright at the near post from just inside the area. Everton's frustration was demonstrated by cautions issued to Gravesen, Naysmith, David Weir, Lee Carsley and David Unsworth, together with one for Liverpool's Baros.

After the break, apart from Gravesen firing just wide, there appeared no immediate likelihood of an equaliser until they were presented with one in the 56th minute, after Carragher was adjudged to have fouled Naysmith just inside the area. After Carragher had entered Durkin's book, Unsworth put the penalty away.

Liverpool would not be denied. Baros headed over and then, just after the hour, Danny Murphy's spectacular yet speculative effort found the net off Wright's left-hand post. He nearly repeated it, too, with a wicked volley two minutes later.

Moyes introduced Duncan Ferguson, but the lanky Scot could make no impression. The home side were further handicapped when Weir felled Gerrard for another caution, and made an early exit. He was followed by Naysmith, also dismissed for a second booking.

Houllier opined that victory had come at an appropriate time, 10 years after the Hillsborough disaster. "I'd like to dedicate this win to the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy," he explained, adding: "We're so pleased because we've beaten a great team. I've got great respect for David and the job he's done. In big games like that, you need to have the composure. Mental strength played a big part."

You cannot blame Houllier for his neighbourliness. While Everton, once they digest their disappointment, would accept a Uefa Cup place as progress, Liverpool, in view of their huge investment in personnel, would find it unpalatable to fail in their Champions' League mission. Tomorrow Everton travel to Chelsea. Houllier will be hoping that Moyes' men next door can do him a significant favour.

Everton 1 Liverpool 2
Unsworth pen 58; Owen 31, Murphy 64

Half-time: 0-1 Attendance: 40,162