Dirk Kuyt scored two goals from the penalty spot as Liverpool secured a fortuitous 2-1 victory over Everton in their Premiership clash on Saturday.

Everton battled hard throughout the match and looked set for a deserved point after Kuyt's first goal had negated Sami Hyypia's blunder in the 38th minute. However Phil Neville was sent off for handling the ball on the line for Kuyt to convert his second penalty of the night to give all three points from Liverpool.

The home side started the match strongly and looked on course to repeat last season's 3-0 win in the Merseyside Derby. However this was not to be as the penalty kicks spoiled everything for the home fans. The sending off of Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville proved crucial in the end and Liverpool managed to scramble a win much to the disappointment of the home fans.

A Sami Hyypia own goal had given Everton a deserved lead, which they took into the second half. The own goal came on at 38 minutes and despite the absence of stars like Tim Cahill, Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, the match looked to have a unique flavor.

Everton had the upper hand for much of the first half, but with just 10 men for most of the second half, they lost their way. Tony Hibbert clipped Gerrard from behind on 53 minutes and Dirk Kuyt coolly slotted home the resulting penalty to equalize the scores in the match.

On 89 minutes, Phil Neville was sent off for handling the ball on the line, giving Liverpool their second penalty, which was again successfully taken by Kuyt. Carragher pulled down Lescott late on and Everton thought they had a penalty, but official Mark Clattenberg thought otherwise.

Liverpool are fourth with 19 points from 9 games on the Premier League table, while Everton are 11th with 13 points from 10 games.

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