---
title: "OTD: Gary McAllister clinches Goodison Park derby"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/otd-gary-mcallister-clinches-goodison-park-derby/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Articles"
published: "2021-04-16T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-04-16T07:38:10Z"
---

# OTD: Gary McAllister clinches Goodison Park derby

On this day (April 16) 2001, [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/04/15/jurgen-klopp-trolls-message/) favourite Gary McAllister broke Everton hearts with his long-range free-kick at Goodison Park.

As what had been an enthralling Merseyside derby headed towards the full-time whistle at 2-2, the Scotsman [caught out defenders and Paul Gerrard alike](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-38903/Football-Everton-despair-McAllister-pinches-it.html) when his 40-yard free-kick snuck in the corner to give the Reds a [3-2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SofwFm7m2XM) victory.

Earlier, [Emile Heskey](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/02/18/emile-heskey-urges-liverpool-to-sign-both-pedro-neto-and-adama-traore/) had given Gerard Houllier’s side a [lead inside five minutes](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1280533.stm) before Duncan Ferguson levelled as half time approached.

German full-back [Markus Babbel](https://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/259) handed the visitors the lead once more with a powerful volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Liverpool had to play out the final 15 minutes with a [numerical disadvantage](https://www.premierleague.com/match/3616) when Igor Biscan lunged into a late tackle, earning a second yellow card and his marching orders.

Minutes later there was [more pain for the Reds](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/17/match.sport7) when Sami Hyypia was penalised for leaning on Ferguson inside the area, David Unsworth converting the resulting penalty.

Not to be denied, with just seconds remaining, a counter-attack earned a free-kick and [McAllister stepped up](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/features/393156-gary-mcallister-interview-everton-free-kick) from a seemingly impossible distance to fire the Reds in front indefinitely this time.

Houllier’s men went 5th with the points and managed to fire their way into the all-important top four with an emphatic [4-0 victory](https://www.premierleague.com/match/3657) on the final day.