Liverpool survived most of the match with ten men after Sotirios Kyrgiakos’ early dismissal to win the Merseyside derby courtesy of Dirk Kuyt‘s second half goal.

Kuyt’s 50th goal for the club arrived from a corner, heading home from close range on 55 minutes. It was the Dutchman’s fifth goal in 5 games.

It was a blood and thunder derby day, with plenty of physical challenges, six yellow cards and two red. Steven Pienaar received a red following his second yellow late on.

Kyrgiakos’ dismissal though was very controversial, with Everton‘s Maraoune Fellaini somehow not following him after both lunged in with two feet and Fellaini stamping on the Greek defender. Referee Martin Atkinson though failed to even book Fellaini.

It was a battling performance from the ten men Reds, with Gerrard dropping into midfield alongside Lucas and strong performances all around. Liverpool completed a double over their neighbours having won the return fixture at Goodison Park earlier in the season, Kuyt was on target then too.

It was another cleansheet for the Reds, despite the early dismissal of a player who has added a physical presence at the back in recent weeks. Jamie Carragher moved back into the centre with Javier Mascherano deputising at right back.

The result puts Liverpool temporarily up to fourth place, with Spurs in action later. Rafa Benitez‘s side remain unbeaten in the Premier League in 2010.

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BBC Sport Report

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Insua, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt (Skrtel 90+6), Rodriguez (Aurelio 90+2), Ngog (Babel 63)
Subs not used: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Riera, Degen
Booked: Kuyt, Gerrard, Carragher
Sent off: Kyrgiakos (33)
Goal: Kuyt (55)

Everton: Howard, Neville, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Fellaini (Arteta 40), Donovan, Osman (Anichebe 72), Cahill, Pienaar, Saha (Yakubu 72)
Subs not used: Nash, Bilyaletdinov, Senderos, Coleman.
Booked: Heitinga, Pienaar, Saha
Sent off: Pienaar (90+4)

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 44,316