Liverpool inflicted fresh misery on Merseyside rivals Everton as a superb strike from teenager Curtis Jones sealed a 1-0 win in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, reports AFP. Jones' second half curler sent Anfield into ecstasy as the club's youth academy graduates handed Everton an embarrassing derby defeat.
The 18-year-old Liverpool-born midfielder was making only his fifth appearance and his memorable matchwinner was his first senior goal. Jones is the youngest goalscorer for Liverpool in a Merseyside derby since Robbie Fowler in 1994.
"They played brave football. Unbelievable individual performances from the kids and the adults as well," Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said. "I'm so happy they all showed up tonight. Sensational game and a sensational goal from a Scouser. Who could ask for more?" Liverpool's youngsters had been thrashed by Aston Villa while the senior stars were away at the Club World Cup in December.
But they acquitted themselves much better this time and Japan striker Takumi Minamino, making his debut after joining from Salzburg, glanced a header narrowly off-target before Divock Origi's low drive was brilliantly saved by Jordan Pickford. Jones' moment of magic came in the 71st minute when he played a chipped pass to Origi, took the return ball and curled a stunning effort into the top corner.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Lucas Moura kept Tottenham's FA Cup hopes alive with the equaliser in their 1-1 draw at second tier Middlesbrough, while Callum Hudson-Odoi got back in the groove as Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Ashley Fletcher put Middlesbrough ahead in the second half at the Riverside Stadium. But Brazilian winger Lucas headed the equaliser to send the tie to a replay in north London later in January.
"When we were losing 1-0, at that moment I had the feeling of 'we are in trouble'," Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho said. "But then everyone reacted. I reacted. The boys reacted." At Stamford Bridge, there were signs that Hudson-Odoi might be emerging from his sophomore slump.
He opened the scoring against the second tier side in the sixth minute, just his second goal of the season and his first since September.
