The cycle of misery that has held Everton in its icy grip for so long was released on a night of passion and fury at Goodison Park that may have applied the final blow Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge.
If a first Merseyside derby home win since October 2010 was not cause enough for celebration for Everton, their 2-0 triumph came with what they will regard as the glorious bonus of inflicting potentially irreparable damage to Liverpool.
This much was clear as the famous old stadium echoed to the taunts of “You Lost The League At Goodison Park” as a leggy, lack-lustre Liverpool banged their heads on the brick wall that was Everton’s defence and outstanding goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.