Sunday, 28th October, 2012
Everton boss David Moyes has brushed off Luis Suarez’ goal celebration in today’s Merseyside derby, but stressed the Uruguayan striker was lucky to remain on the pitch for the entire game after a challenge on defender Sylvain Distain.
Suarez scored both Liverpool’s goals in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park and, after Moyes had made comments before the match about an increase in diving, something which the striker has been slammed for, only one thing was on the Uruguayan’s mind.
After he had drilled the ball towards goal, with the shot deflecting in off Leighton Baines, Suarez headed straight for the Everton technical area to celebrate, producing a mock dive right in front of Moyes.
The Scot, who saw his side fight back from 2-0 down to claim a point, insists he had no problem with the celebration, though fingered Suarez for a later challenge on Distin in the second half, which he believes was out of order, and only saw the referee produce a yellow card.
"The celebration was great. I actually quite liked that – it was the sort of thing I might have done if I had scored. I was going to do it if we’d scored a third!", Moyes told Everton’s official site.
"But I’ve got to say he was a really lucky man to stay on the pitch today for his tackle."
relatedNewsStoryMoyes also praised his team for a good performance, even though they could not find a third goal which would have secured the Toffees all three points.
"Overall, I thought we played very well and we were a threat. It was a good open game and we had quite a lot of moments where we could have scored again."
Everton now have a week off, having been knocked out of the League Cup by Leeds United, and are next in action at the weekend against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
For Liverpool, League Cup action is on the menu, with a visit from manager Brendan Rodgers’ former club Swansea City.
