Torres brace sinks Everton

The Liverpool striker ends his six-game goal drought to hand Everton a 2-0 defeat.

LONDON: Fernando Torres ended his six-game goal drought in style, leading Liverpool to a 2-0 victoryover crosstown rival Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Spain striker broke through in the 59th minute and took just three minutes to double Liverpool’s advantage. He found the net a third time only for it to be ruled out.

“Six games is too many times for a Liverpool striker,” Torres said. “Now I want to keep going in the Champions League, scoring almost every game like last season and maybe improving on the 33 goals.”

The Reds, unbeaten this season, lead the standings by two points from Arsenal. “It was an important three points today,” Torres said. “We know how important this game is for the fans and the players because we want to stay towards the top of the table. “We know if we’re in the top three or four in January and also in the next round of the Champions League then we can have a fantastic season.”

It had been a frustrating 208th Liverpool derby until Xabi Alonso found Robbie Keane on the left flank with a deep pass just before the hour. The Ireland striker worked the ball to the byline before lofting back into the penalty area for Torres to volley home.
Keane, whose embryonic partnership with Torres has lacked potency until now, was also the architect of the second goal in the 62nd.

The former Spurs player - yet to score for the 18 time English champion - slotted through to Dirk Kuyt. The Netherlands winger was tackled by Phil Jagielka before he could shoot, but the loose ball fell for Torres to fire past Tim Howard.

Three minutes later, Liverpool had two goals disallowed in quick succession. Kuyt’s effort had only just been ruled out, when Torres’ hat-trick celebrations were shortlived. Referee Mike Riley had spotted Kuyt fouling before Torres found the net from an acute angle in the 66th.

Everton’s brittle resistance had collapsed and the home side’s situation worsened when Australia midfielder Tim Cahill was sent off in the 80th for a late challenge on Alonso - the eighth red card in the last eight Liverpool Everton encounters. Cahill was also made to pay in the 14th for failing to put Everton ahead, fluffing the connection with Mikel Arteta’s corner.