Everton skipper Neville 'punched at Merseyside derby'

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• More Premier League news club by club

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said he was pleased captain Steven Gerrard could celebrate a win after taunts about his private life.

Scroll down to read more:

Red mist: A Liverpool fan aims a volley of abuse at Everton's Phil Neville

Blue in the face: Liverpool fans make their feelings known to Neville

But the Goodison club issued a statement which read: "It is a shame that Mr Benitez chose to ignore the actions of his own club's supporters.

"Not only was Joleon Lescott subjected to an afternoon-long barrage of disgusting and quite audible abuse, Phil Neville was seemingly spat at several times and also punched in the back by a supporter as he took a throw-in."

It has emerged that David Moyes' side made a late tactical switch. After working on a 4-2-3-1 system, they reverted to 4-1-4-1 shortly before kick-off, with Neville moved from an anchor role alongside Lee Carsley to the right of midfield.

The Everton skipper cut a frustrated figure when he was subbed near the end, angrily snatching his tracksuit top off the kitman.