Everton hero James Tarkowski surprises himself with last-gasp screamer - 'I thought last minute, why not?'

The final Merseyside derby to be staged at Goodison Park had a fittingly epic conclusion as Everton captain James Tarkowski hammered home a last-gasp equaliser on the volley. The defender was an unlikely hero and admitted to TNT Sports he "didn't score one goal" when practising volleys with Phil Jagielka recently. "I thought last minute, why not... I let it rip," said Tarkowski.

Tarkowski slams home last-gasp equaliser as Everton fans pour onto pitch

Video credit: TNT Sports

James Tarkowski admitted he was as surprised as anyone to see his last-gasp volley fly in to earn Everton a dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The centre-back smashed home a stunning leveller in the 98th minute to send the old ground into raptures on an emotional night ahead of the club’s move to its new stadium next season.

Tarkowski and his team-mates faced a nervy wait for a VAR check to clear the goal, but it was eventually given the green light to ensure the historic occasion had a fittingly memorable finish.

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"Early on I got a chance at the edge, and I panicked a bit and passed it," Tarkowski said.

"Late on I just decided to get myself in the box, it dropped, then just let it go and see what happens."

He added: "I just saw the ball going wide and thought ‘last minute, why not’. It falls to me and then I let it rip."

'I don't score many!' - Tarkowski on his famous late goal to rescue draw in Merseyside derby

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports expert and former Everton captain Phil Jagielka could not hide his delight at Tarkowski’s effort when they met on the pitch after the game.

"A few months ago I spent a bit of time with Jags at our place and we tried volleying a ball for about an hour and I didn’t score one goal," Tarkowski said.

"It was amazing to score, what an amazing night."

Beto fired Everton ahead after 11 minutes but Liverpool were soon level through Alexis Mac Allister, and moved ahead in the second half through Mohamed Salah.

However, a frenetic and often fiery Merseyside derby that saw six yellow cards handed out before the whistle and three red cards dished out after it was settled by a long and nerve-shredding VAR check.

"I don’t score many, so I thought it would have been typical if it was disallowed," Tarkowski said.

"But it’s a real nice moment and I’m pleased. I had a tough weekend so it’s nice to get back."

"I really am (proud). It was a tough game," he added. "We worked hard, restricted them to a minimum of shots. I’m disappointed with the way the goals went in, but we tried to score a few goals and tonight we got two in the back of the net."

The draw saw Premier League leaders Liverpool stretch their lead over second-placed Arsenal to seven points.

Everton, meanwhile, moved up to 15th place on 27 points, 10 clear of the relegation zone.

Highlights: Tarkowski strikes late as Jones, Doucoure and Slot see red in post-match chaos

Video credit: TNT Sports

Moyes: Night was made for something to happen

Everton manager David Moyes said he was "thrilled to get a point out of the game" after claiming a draw at the death.

The Scot has overseen an upturn in form for The Toffees since returning for a second spell in charge in January, leading them to three wins and one draw in their last four league games.

Moyes is no stranger to Merseyside derbies, having led Everton for 11 years between 2002 and 2013, and was asked how this one ranked.

"It was right up there, and it was great at the end. The night was made for something to happen," Moyes said to TNT Sports.

"It wasn’t the best game you will ever watch; it was a wee bit of a throwback.

"It was a bit scrappy both sides. It was more important we made it that way, Liverpool are an incredibly talented team and are proving it in the league this year. We had to find a way of making that gap not so big tonight and I think we did a good job."

Moyes says Tarkowski strike will be 'remembered in history'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Although Everton are 10 points clear of the drop zone with 14 rounds remaining, Moyes batted away the suggestion that their relegation fears are now over.

"No, I wish," he said. "I think us picking up points regularly between now and the end of the season is what we have to try and do.

"We have a group here where we can do it. We lack some quality in areas, we have to try and fill in at the moment because we have a few injuries, but hopefully there will be signs of one or two coming back in the next three or four weeks. If we can do that, hopefully we’ll get over the line."

The only negatives from the evening were a serious-looking injury to Iliman Ndiaye, who limped off with an apparent knee injury in the first half, and a red card for Abdoulaye Doucoure during a late-game melee.

"They are going to check (the injury). I think he’s maybe opened his knee but we’re not sure yet, that was the feeling at the time, that he had maybe done something to his knee," Moyes said.

"But I’m disappointed with (Doucoure) because we need him, and we can’t afford it, we’re down on numbers at the moment. We’re still waiting on others to come back."