By PHIL THOMAS
SAFE to say David Moyes will not be complaining about THIS derby referee.
Twelve months ago, the Everton boss was left raging after Martin Atkinson incorrectly sent off Jack Rodwell and Liverpool cruised to three points at Goodison.
But when the dust settles on another stormy and controversial showdown between these two fiercest of rivals, Moyes is more likely to be sending ref Andre Marriner a case or two of red wine — plus another one for linesman Simon Bennett.
For if it had not been for a truly awful decision from the officials, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers would have headed home from his first Merseyside derby as a winner.
And Moyes would have been heading for home ready to kick the cat after conceding a last-second goal to Luis Suarez.
When Suarez brilliantly poked home Sebastian Coates’ knockdown, it should have been the signal for a Red party.
Instead it was the signal for a couple of red faces in the shape of Marriner and, in particular, Bennett.
The latter finally decided to flag with Steven Gerrard already some 50 yards away dancing a jig of delight.
Had Marriner blown up for Coates jumping over the back of Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka, there could have been a cause for debate.
But you did not even need the benefit of TV replays to see that Suarez was half a yard onside.
And even Moyes admitted the officials had dropped a clanger to end them all — and let his side off the hook.
Having said that, even a point looked way, way beyond the hosts after Liverpool roared into a two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes.
And the first goal, to be fair, owed as much to referee Marriner’s fantastic decision to play advantage when many could easily have already whistled.
Both Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith could have been penalised for fouls on Suso and Jose Enrique.
Both times, Marriner played on as Liverpool were pressing forward.
He could have blown up again when Enrique’s low ball fizzed across goal and Raheem Sterling buckled under Leighton Baines’ challenge.
Instead it fell to Suarez at the far post and although his cross was shooting wide, it struck Baines on the inside of the right leg and flew in.
If that had the Reds fans on cloud nine, they were almost falling off it in hysterics as Suarez — dubbed a diver by Moyes on Friday — produced one of THE truly memorable goal celebrations.
The Uruguay star raced to the halfway line and delivered the perfect comedy swan dive right at Moyes’ feet.
Six minutes later the lead was doubled and this time there was no arguing that it was Suarez’s goal, just a raging row as to why the Kop striker was left in such space.
This time Gerrard was the provider with a marvellous curled free-kick but Suarez could not have expected Jagielka and Nikica Jelavic to both let him steal in unattended and glance a header into the corner.
Everton were all over the place and nothing like the side which had roared to fourth place this term.
But the one thing you can never criticise the Toffees for is a lack of heart and they showed it in abundance to haul themselves back inside a couple of minutes.
Brad Jones, again replacing crocked Pepe Reina, punched poorly from a Baines corner and Leon Osman’s shot was already heading in as it clipped Joe Allen’s calf en route to the net.
Suddenly it was all Blue and 10 minutes before the break they were level with a goal that earned Enrique a rightful blast from fuming centre-back Daniel Agger.
Marouane Fellaini showed great skill in killing a pass from the magnificent Kevin Mirallas and, as he drilled it across, Enrique was totally on his heels as Naismith dashed in to score from a yard.
Amazingly it was Liverpool now clinging on, with Mirallas in particular having a field day — although he was replaced at the break after turning an ankle.
Phil Neville could have joined him with a bashed ear, Moyes delivering a rocket to the skipper for a blatant dive which earned him a yellow card.
Suarez, though, was lucky to escape with the same when he raked his studs down the back of Sylvain Distin’s leg chasing down the French defender 20 minutes from time.
Even then Liverpool could have nicked it, after Rodgers boldly went with three across the back and left two up front.
If 17-year-old Sterling had showed the same composure when clean through on Howard as he had against Reading a week ago, they probably would as well — but he scuffed his effort hopelessly off target.
That looked irrelevant when Suarez poked home and Rodgers was all set to become only the second Kop boss — Kenny Dalglish is the other — to mark their first derby at Goodison as a winner.
Sadly for him, blunder boys Marriner and Bennett made sure he did not.
