Liverpool manager Benitez shrugs off Everton´s penalty claims

AFP - 20 October 2007 17:16

Liverpool´s Dirk Kuyt scores a penalty to equalise against Everton during their Premier League clash at Goodison Park. Kuyt´s stoppage time penalty snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over nine-man Everton in the 206th Merseyside derby.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insisted his team got their just rewards after Dirk Kuyt's last minute penalty gave them a controversial victory in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

Everton were furious after referee Mark Clattenburg denied them what looked a clear penalty moments after Kuyt's winner at Goodison Park when Steve Finnan pulled down Joleon Lescott.

However, Benitez was quick to pour scorn on the home team's claims, saying: "In England you don't like to see players diving and it was a surprise to me."

The Reds boss was also unimpressed with Everton's no-nonsense tactics, following on from last season's jibe when he branded Everton a small club.

He said: "We were trying to go forward and create chances with the ball on the ground and they were playing long balls and trying to kick the ball high."

Benitez surprisingly hauled off captain Steven Gerrard when it was 1-1. The Spaniard explained his decision, saying: "In this game sometimes you need to play with your brain and we were playing with heart.

"We were playing with one more player and we needed to keep the ball and to pass the ball."

Everton took a first half lead when Sammy Hyypia sliced the ball into his own goal.

The visitors equalised early in the second half when Dutch striker Kuyt converted a penalty after Tony Hibbert fouled Gerrard. The Everton right-back was sent off for the offence.

Former Feyenoord hitman Kuyt grabbed the winner two minutes into injury time after scoring his second penalty following a blatant hand ball on the line by Phil Neville, which brought the former England man his marching orders.