It was cold on the morning of 6th February. Word had just got out that there was to be a major fracas near Stanley Park. As the morning ended, forty thousand spectators crammed themselves into a stadium waiting for their fighters to emerge.
They did. And for ninety minutes - plus a fifteen minute medical break - two teams of men - one team in red, the other in blue - kicked, punched and made rude faces at each other. Some were distracted by the appearance of a plastic spherical object and when they were unable to assail their opponents with sundry acts of violence, vented their frustration on the spherical object, kicking and headbutting it to and fro. This was a distraction, but only intermittently, as the main thrust of the encounter was a series of kicks, pushes, and elbows followed by rolling on the ground and pointing at anyone who was wearing a different shirt.
Oddly enough the spherical object - called a ball - was in fact part of the exposition, and much rapture ensued after a man in red pushed the ball into a net with his head. However, things returned to normal quite quickly, with mayhem and ultraviolence aplenty.

Leighton Baines believes Everton FC can overcome derby dismay

LEIGHTON Baines believes Everton can overcome the dismay of derby defeat and spring a shock result against Chelsea.

Everton FC miss golden chance to end winless streak against Liverpool at Anfield

IT took one man steeped in Everton history to show what it takes to win a Merseyside derby.

David Prentice: Once again Everton FC fail to go for jugular

THE KOP'S newest taunt to their city neighbours highlights Everton's decade-and-a-half without silverware: "Dry your tears, no trophy for 15 years."

Everton FC: We're getting closer says David Moyes after Merseyside derby defeat

DAVID MOYES believes Saturday's narrow derby defeat proves the gap between Liverpool and Everton is closing.

Everton FC captain Phil Neville: We missed a great opportunity

RUEFUL Phil Neville admits Everton missed a great opportunity to end their long wait for derby victory at Anfield.

David Moyes - Everton FC have closed gap on Liverpool FC

EVERTON will take positives from Saturday's defeat at Anfield.

Everton FC player ratings against Liverpool

TIM HOWARD: Very few saves to make, but will be disappointed with his part in Liverpool's winner. Score: 6

Yakubu hands Everton boss David Moyes selection headache ahead of Mersey derby

YAKUBU is hoping to hand David Moyes a derby day selection headache after returning to full training.

Playing for Everton FC against Liverpool FC is one to tell the grandkids says Landon Donovan

LANDON DONOVAN is so excited at the prospect of playing in a Merseyside derby, he imagines proudly telling his future grandchildren about the experience.

..And if you know your history: Test your Merseyside derby knowledge

1. FOUR players featured in this corresponding league fixture at Anfield last season have moved on to play for other clubs, who are they?

THERE'S a simple answer to the problem of John Terry's unrestrained libido - take Leighton Baines to South Africa instead of Wayne Bridge.

He's a better player, he's in better form and - unless this weekend's 'revelations' tell us differently - he's never shared a shandy with John Terry in the Goodison players' lounge.

Of course that doesn't solve the captaincy issue - which for me is a more complex problem altogether.

EVERTON have got the best chance they've had in a long time of getting a result at Anfield tomorrow.

Their form has been good but make no mistake they will have to reach the same levels as in the games against Arsenal and Manchester City if they want to end their poor record on the other side of Stanley Park. It's no use looking to Liverpool's poor form as an indicator of how the game will go. Saturday will be totally different.

A lot will depend on how Everton's new boys react to the atmosphere and the challenge.

Robert Elstone hopes economic upturn will boost chance of new Everton FC stadium

EVERTON chief executive Robert Elstone is hoping the economic upturn will boost the club's chance of building a new council-assisted stadium in Liverpool.

Forget Manchester and Glasgow, Merseyside is the biggest derby in Britain - Mickey Thomas

MANCHESTER was the place to be last week. Or so we were told.

The Jury: Everton FC fans give their verdict on the Mersey derby clash against Liverpool

THE banter is flying around the offices, the Red half of the city are getting nervous - there must be a Merseyside derby coming!

Everton FC chasing quarter final place in FA Youth Cup

EVERTON'S young guns must defeat Preston North End tonight to book a place in the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup.

Everton FC latest: I'm in the best form of my career, says Marouane Fellaini

MAROUANE FELLAINI has warned Liverpool he is in the best form of his career ahead of his Anfield derby debut.

Philippe Senderos backed to make his mark at Everton FC

PHILIPPE SENDEROS has been backed to be a success at Everton by the man who will decide the defender's World Cup fate this summer.

Phil Neville: February will be the biggest month of my Everton FC career

EVERTON captain Phil Neville believes the onslaught of massive games the Blues face in February make it the most important month in his time at the club.

DAVID RANDLES: Is the friendly Mersey derby about to make a comeback?

FOR years it was known as the friendly derby. It was a fixture where opposing fans would walk to the ground together and stand shoulder to shoulder before grabbing a pint on the way home.

Everton FC letters: Blues must show more consistent performances over 90 minutes

IF Everton are going to continue to progress over the next few seasons, not only have we got to be more consistent in producing 90 minute performances but we badly need at least one, or preferably two, forwards with genuine pace.

IT'S been 11 years since Everton last won at Anfield but the Blues should head across Stanley Park this weekend believing they can finally end that barren run.

The last time the sides met at Goodison in November we were in the middle of an injury crisis. We were struggling for form and confidence, and despite having plenty of pressure we weren't able to make it count.

In the end Liverpool were comfortable 2-0 winners but I believe we're now a very different proposition.