CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Liverpool v Everton 20/11/96 7.45

Liverpool               (1) 1 Everton                 (0) 1 FT
Fowler 30                     Speed 82

Gary Speed put the brake on Liverpool's charge to the top of the Premiership tonight with a dramatic late equaliser at Anfield.

Everton's £3.5million summer buy from Leeds struck after 82 minutes to cancel out Robbie Fowler's opener for Liverpool.

Fowler's goal, his 11th of the season and his ninth in seven games, would have been enough to take Liverpool above Newcastle.

But then Speed homed in on Andy Hinchcliffe's free kick to head the ball beyond keeper David James and leave Liverpool stunned.

Both sides fielded the same teams that were so impressive at the weekend, Liverpool winning 2-0 at Leeds while Everton thrashed Southampton 7-1.

But Liverpool manager Roy Evans was forced to make a change after 17 minutes as Steve McManaman pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring strain.

Stan Collymore, the subject of a reported £4.5million bid by Aston Villa last week, replaced the England star.

Referee Stephen Lodge took only four minutes to produce the first yellow card of the 155th meeting between these Merseyside rivals.

Liverpool's Michael Thomas was cautioned for a stiff challenge on Nick Barmby on the edge of the area. Hinchcliffe, however, sent the free kick high into the crowd.

That was as good as it got in the first half for Everton, who scored five goals in that time at the weekend.

Liverpool dominated and were only inches away from taking the lead after 26 minutes following another dangerous corner from Stig Bjornebye.

Mark Wright got in a towering header that defeated keeper Neville Southall, only for Speed to get a foot in and clear off the line.

But four minutes later, Liverpool got the breakthrough and inevitably it was Fowler who was back on target.

Southall did superbly well to tip away a powerful 25-yard effort from Jamie Redknapp. Bjornebye and Redknapp linked up from the corner with the England midfielder floating in a delightful ball from the edge of the area.

Fowler was perfectly positioned to send a header looping over the Everton keeper and under the crossbar.

Redknapp then released Bjornebye but his effort from just outside the area was too high.

Liverpool finished the half on the attack with Jason McAteer misdirecting a header from the Norwegian's cross.

Duncan Ferguson's appearance after the interval seemed to give Everton the boost they needed and Liverpool found themselves on the defensive.

Thomas gave away a free kick after tangling with Speed but Hinchcliffe fired his effort over the top.

Speed, who scored a hat-trick against Southampton, turned quickly in the penalty box, only for keeper James to stand up and block the shot.

Liverpool stepped up the pace again and Southall again made a marvellous save, turning away Collymore's powerful header after Bjornebye had supplied the cross.

Bjornebye, such a tireless worker, took the corner and the in-rushing John Barnes was only inches wide with his header.

But then came that equaliser to restore the balance of power in Merseyside.