Kuyt double sinks nine-man Toffees

Liverpool, humiliated 3-0 in the same fixture last season, claimed revenge as Everton pair Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville were sent off. Both dismissals were for incidents that produced Liverpool's second-half penalties. Hibbert brought down Steven Gerrard in the box and Neville handled on the line.

Everton had deservedly led at the break with a Sami Hyypia own goal, but after being reduced to 10 men for much of the second period - the second red card coming in the final seconds - they could not hang on for a draw.

A Mikel Arteta corner was half-cleared to Alan Stubbs, who hooked it back into the danger area, where Phil Jagielka attempted to get in a shot and the ball cannoned off Hyypia's boot high into the net for an own goal on 38 minutes.

However, a Yossi Benayoun ball out of defence gave Liverpool a lifeline. Gerrard set off down the left channel, stretching into Everton's half with Hibbert in pursuit. The full-back was always a yard behind and when the pair reached the box, the defender clipped Gerrard from behind and referee Mark Clattenburg awarded a penalty on 53 minutes.

The official showed Hibbert the red card before Kuyt drilled home the spotkick.

Everton could have had a penalty themselves when Steve Finnan manhandled Joleon Lescott in the box soon afterwards, but the claim was rejected.

Neville was then sent off on 89 minutes for handling a Lucas Leiva shot on the line, providing Kuyt with his second penalty.

Everton finished the game complaining to Clattenburg that they should have had a last-ditch penalty for Jamie Carragher pulling down Lescott.

He refused their claim and the official was booed off after being surrounded by home players.