Premier League: Everton 0 Liverpool 2

Two second half goals from Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez gave Liverpool victory in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

Kenny Dalglish’s men made the most of the controversial sending off of Jack Rodwell in the first half to leave David Moyes’ men in the lower half of the Premier League.

The scoreline could have been worse for home side had Dirk Kuyt converted a penalty kick late in the first half.

The early dismissal of Rodwell forced a rethink for Everton and for much of the contest the hosts were in the game as Liverpool failed to press their advantage.

Liverpool had the first of many early chances Dutchman Kuyt found Luis Suarez who headed tamely into the palms of the camouflaged clad Tim Howard.

Seconds later, Tim Cahill, forced a fingertip save from Pepe Reina, redirecting his header over the bar.

The early excitement subdued until the fuse was well and truly lit when referee Martin Atkinson sent off Rodwell when the youngster slid in on Suarez in the 23rd minute.

Rodwell was furious and lashed out at objects on the bench as he made his way to the dressing room.

The Uruguayan reinforced his position as public enemy number one as he was fouled by Phil Jagielka late in the first half to give Liverpool a penalty.

Kuyt’s spot-kick produced a diving save to the left from Tim Howard to keep the scores level.

Liverpool did have one last chance to score before the interval with a long range shot from Charlie Adam smashing into the crossbar.

The deadlock continued after the interval with neither team being able to find a way through.

Andy Carroll was notably absent in the first half but he was showing a willing to press for the go ahead goal.

Two chances in as many minutes came his way but a Sylvain Distin lunge and Howard save were enough to keep him at bay.

With Everton still in the game Moyes brought on loan player Royston Drenthe for Seamus Coleman.

Dalglish followed suit bringing on Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy as both managers were not content with the blank scoreline. Charlie Adam and the ineffective Stewart Downing had to make way.

Bellamy made a swift impact on the game when his pass to the overlapping Enrique allowed him to break for the byline and deliver a cross to Carroll who finally broke the resistance of.

Liverpool continued to play the ball wide to make the 10 men of Everton chase in the unseasonably warm weather and as Everton tired, sloppy defending let Suarez have not one, but two bites of the cherry and he made them pay with his persistence leading to the second goal.