LIVERPOOL: One of the most dramatic Merseyside derbies in years saw Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge come off the subs’ bench to snatch a 3-3 draw with Everton.

The England striker was not considered fit enough to start after playing 90 minutes against Germany in midweek with a dead leg but came on to salvage a point at Goodison Park in the 89th minute.

Earlier it appeared Everton’s Kevin Mirallas would be the man to remember as the home side twice came from behind. The Belgium international may have been outdone by compatriot Romelu Lukaku, who scored twice in the second half, but he had a hand in all three goals.

However controversy reigned over whether he should have been on the pitch for the last two assists for a knee-high challenge on Luis Suarez which might have been punished with a red card.

Philippe Coutinho and Suarez had put the visitors ahead scoring either side of Mirallas’ equaliser and although Lukaku appeared to have turned the match around again Sturridge had the final say.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez still had something to celebrate – the birth of daughter Louella on Friday.

Pressure increased on Martin Jol at Fulham after a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea. Fulham’s only consolation was Scott Parker’s first goal in all competitions since February 2011.

Jol, who has brought in fellow Dutchman Rene Meulensteen, said: “It’s not the best period of my life.”

Referees’ boss Mike Riley may be issuing another apology after Kevin Friend sent off Sunderland’s Wes Brown against Stoke even though the ex-England defender won the ball fairly from Charlie Adam. Sunderland went on to lose 2-0 and stay bottom of the table.

Two weeks ago Riley apologised to West Bromwich for a controversial last-minute penalty decision by Andre Marriner which saved a draw for Chelsea.

Frank Lampard scored twice against his original club as Chelsea won easily by 3-0 at at West Ham. Lampard converted a penalty after Jussi Jaaskelainen tripped Oscar trying to reach Guy Demel’s poor back-pass.

Oscar scored the second goal as Chelsea extended West Ham’s winless home run to five matches. But man of the match was Eden Hazard.

New Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis was in Hull to watch his new club take a valuable 1-0 away win despite being reduced to 10 men by the 78th-minute expulsion of right winger Yannick Bolasie.

 

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