Liverpool 2-0 Everton
Everton 0 - 1 Liverpool
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Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool
Fernando Torres ended his six-game goal drought in style, scoring twice as Liverpool beat Everton 2-0 in their Premier League Mersey derby at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Spain striker broke through in the 59th minute and snapped up his second three minutes later. He found the net a third time but the effort was ruled out.
Everton's dismal afternoon worsened when Tim Cahill was sent off for an 80th minute foul.
"Six games is too many times for a Liverpool striker," Torres said. "Now I want to keep going in the Champions League, scoring almost every game like last season and maybe improving on the 33 goals."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "It was important for him and also for us. To score two goals in a derby is a massive boost."
"From the start of the game we were passing and were well organized. We controlled the game.
"We didn't change anything at half-time. We just wanted to keep playing and we knew we would score."
The Reds, unbeaten this season, led the Premiership by two points from Arsenal after their early kick-off.
The Gunners were at home to Hull City in the late game, while Chelsea and Manchester United also had fixtures on Saturday.
It had been a frustrating 208th Liverpool derby until Xabi Alonso found Robbie Keane on the left flank with a deep pass just before the hour.
The Ireland striker worked the ball to the byline before lofting it back into the penalty area for Torres to volley home.
Keane, whose embryonic partnership with Torres has lacked potency until now, was also the architect of the second goal.
The former Spurs player -- yet to score for the 18-time English champion -- slotted through to Dirk Kuyt. The Netherlands winger was tackled by Phil Jagielka before he could shoot, but the loose ball fell for Torres to fire past Tim Howard.
Three minutes later, Liverpool had two goals disallowed in quick succession.
Kuyt's effort had only just been ruled out, when Torres' hat trick celebrations were shortlived. Referee Mike Riley had spotted Kuyt fouling before Torres found the net from an acute angle in the 66th.
Everton's brittle resistance had collapsed and the home side's situation worsened when Australia midfielder Cahill was sent off for a late challenge on Alonso.
Cahill had wasted a 14th minute chance to put Everton ahead when he fluffed the connection with Mikel Arteta's corner.
