Liverpool stroll to derby win

PREMIER LEAGUE: Pressure builds on Everton boss after Anfield mauling

LIVERPOOL 4 EVERTON 0

Liverpool added to the growing pressure on Everton manager Roberto Martinez with a 4-0 victory at Anfield last night which was as embarrassing for the visitors as it was comfortable for the hosts in the 226th Merseyside derby.

Defender Ramiro Funes Mori also added to the Spaniard’s woes ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United with this fixture’s 21st red card in the last 47 Premier League encounters.

That was compounded by fellow centre-back John Stones limping off injured after the third goal went in. That was Daniel Sturridge’s 50th goal for the club and followed two headers from Divock Origi and Mamadou Sakho just before half-time.

Philippe Coutinho’s 76th-minute strike sent visiting fans heading for the exits and every ‘Ole’ which rang around Anfield towards the end was a dagger to the heart of Martinez and those who remained in the away end.

Sturridge, only on because Origi was stretchered off with a serious-looking ankle injury as a result of Funes Mori’s stamp, became the fourth-fastest Liverpool player to his half-century by reaching the landmark in just his 87th match.

Matteo Darmian’s stunning strike helped Manchester United maintain their top-four push as fellow FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace were swatted aside 2-0 at Old Trafford.

The Italy international’s fourthminute cross forced Damien Delaney to turn the ball past Julian Speroni.

The former Dundee keeper did well to keep the score respectable on his first Palace appearance of the season, with Darmian needing to produce a moment of magic to beat him in the second half.

Andy Carroll and Mark Noble were on target as West Ham kept their chances of a top-four finish alive with a 3-1 win over Watford.

Carroll hit his sixth goal in six games and Noble tucked away two penalties to move the Hammers to within four points of fourth-placed Arsenal.

Watford pulled one back through Sebastian Prodl and had a late penalty saved before striker Nordin Amrabat was sent off in injury time.

Picture: AP. Everton keeper Joel Robles cannot keep out a header from Mamadou Sakho during the Merseyside derby at Anfield last night.