Liverpool's 18-year-old midfielder Curtis Jones (L) celebrates after scoring a goal to seal his team's 1-0 win over Everton during the FA Cup at Anfield in Liverpool, UK, January 5, 2020.
Liverpool's 18-year-old midfielder Curtis Jones (L) celebrates after scoring a goal to seal his team's 1-0 win over Everton during the FA Cup at Anfield in Liverpool, UK, January 5, 2020.
Liverpool inflicted fresh misery on Merseyside rivals Everton as a superb strike from teenager Curtis Jones sealed a 1-0 win in the England's Football Association (FA) Cup third round on Sunday.
Jones' second half curler sent the Liverpool's 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 match winner was his first senior goal.
Jones is the youngest goal-scorer for Liverpool in a Merseyside derby since Robbie Fowler in 1994.
Japanese 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.
"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?"
Without a win over their rivals in any competition since 2010 and thrashed 5-2 at Anfield in the Premier League earlier this season, Everton will feel the pain from this defeat against their under-strength neighbors for some while.
Hit by injuries that left him with 12 fit senior outfield players, Klopp had made nine changes, selecting Nat Phillips, 22, and teenage trio Neco Williams, Harvey Elliott and Jones.
In contrast, Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti made just two changes, fielding a strong team as the visitors chased a first win at Anfield since 1999.
Lucas Moura (L) of Tottenham Hotspur and Jonny Howson of Middlesbrough compete for the ball during the FA Cup at Riverside stadium in Middlesbrough, UK, January 5, 2020.
Lucas Moura (L) of Tottenham Hotspur and Jonny Howson of Middlesbrough compete for the ball during the FA Cup at Riverside stadium in Middlesbrough, UK, January 5, 2020.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Lucas Moura kept Tottenham's FA Cup hopes alive with the equalizer 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.
But Brazilian winger Lucas headed the equalizer 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."
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) scores his team's first goal during the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, UK, January 5, 2020.
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) scores his team's first goal during the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, UK, January 5, 2020.
At Stamford Bridge in London, 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.
Blues boss Frank Lampard had made nine changes, but Chelsea doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Hudson-Odoi's shot was parried straight to Ross Barkley and the midfielder poked home at the back post.
Crystal Palace became the third Premier League club to be knocked out this weekend as second tier Derby won 1-0 at Selhurst Park stadium in London.
Source(s): AFP