Liverpool held by Everton as EPL derbies end all square

LONDON - Liverpool and Merseyside rivals Everton shared four goals as three English Premier League (EPL) derby matches ended in draws.

Dirk Kuyt levelled from the penalty spot for Liverpool after Everton had come from behind at half-time with two quick goals at Anfield.

Kenny Dalglish’s first home match in charge since replacing Roy Hodgson began well with Fernando Torres striking the post in the 17th minute before Raul Meireles fired the Reds in front from outside the area in the 29th.

Sylvain Distin on the far post headed Everton level within a minute of the restart and Jermaine Beckford struck a second in the 52nd as the visitors came back strongly.

But Kuyt kept his cool from the spot in the 68th minute to earn Liverpool a point after keeper Tim Howard bundled Maxi Rodriguez to the ground.

The result leaves Everton and Liverpool 12th and 13th respectively, both on 26 points, just four points off the relegation zone.

Asamoah Gyan scored a dramatic goal four minutes into injury time to give Sunderland a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with neighbours Newcastle United in a typically robust north-east derby.

Kevin Nolan’s backheel seven minutes into the second half looked to have won it for the visitors but Gyan claimed the equalising goal as the ball cannoned off him into the Sunderland net.

The result helped sixth-placed Sunderland close to within two points of Tottenham Hotspur, who were due to host Manchester United later.

Birmingham drew 1-1 with Aston Villa in the day’s other early kick-off.

At the Stadium of Light, Newcastle took the lead on 52 minutes when Nolan was on hand to backheel the ball into the net from three yards out.

Sunderland were well below par and time looked to have run out when they received an enormous stroke of luck to salvage an equaliser.

Phil Bardsley’s speculative 20-yard effort was saved by Steve Harper but the ball only rebounded off him and back off Gyan and into his own net.

The point moves Newcastle up one place to ninth.

Birmingham and Aston Villa remain stuck just above the relegation zone after they drew 1-1 in the midlands derby at St Andrews.

James Collins scored the vital equalising goal for Villa after Roger Johnson had volleyed Birmingham in front.