Everton deal late blow to Liverpool's title hopes

Toffees secure vital win in Merseyside derby

Jarrad Branthwaite scores winning goal

Everton dealt a potentially fatal blow to Liverpool's title hopes and all but secured their own Premier League survival with a dramatic 1-0 win in the Merseyside derby on Thursday night.

Jarrad Branthwaite scored the only goal of the game in the 89th minute, heading home from a corner to send Goodison Park into raptures.

The win moves Everton six points clear of the relegation zone with just two games remaining, while Liverpool's title hopes are now hanging by a thread.

Jurgen Klopp's side are now three points behind leaders Manchester City with just two games to play, and they need to win both of their remaining matches and hope that City slip up if they are to have any chance of winning the title.

Everton, meanwhile, are now all but safe from relegation. They are six points clear of the drop zone with just two games to play, and they have a much better goal difference than the teams below them.

The win was a huge relief for Everton manager Frank Lampard, who has been under pressure in recent weeks.

"I'm delighted for the players and the fans," Lampard said. "We showed great character and determination tonight. We knew it was a big game, and we responded in the right way."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was disappointed with his team's performance.

"We didn't play well enough tonight," Klopp said. "We didn't create enough chances, and we didn't defend well enough. We need to improve if we want to win the title."