LIVERPOOL FC 1 EVERTON 0

That was certainly the feeling at the final whistle, and which stands up as a valid argument to explain the Reds recent run of positive results.
Liverpool ground out a win in trying circumstances with good old fashioned application, grit and bloody-minded desire.
It was almost a sequel to the Spurs game.
Yes, it wasn't a game for the faint-hearted with boots flying in, and some X-rated tackles, but effort and determination is surely the first way out of a mini-crisis and patchy runs of form.
There was a time in the 1990s when Everton packed their midfield with gutsy and hard-working professionals to gain results.
Wasn't it the likes of Kenny, Horne, Stuart and Co who bared teeth in the faces of less steely opponents?
Now, Liverpool are specialising in that Dogs of War attitude to get them on the road to recovery.
The craft and artistry, to be added to the commitment, will come later...we hope.

To beat an in-form Everton side, playing for most of the game with a man down, was no mean feat.
Moyes may harp on about not deserving to lose, but neither did Liverpool, and to equal the Blues in every department, with their numerical advantage, rendered a Reds victory a deserving and fair result.
Referee Martin Atkinson hardly covered himself in glory, either, with a catalogue of decisions that were questionable, or just plain wrong.
For the Kyrigiakos/Fellani rumble, I'd argue Fellani's studs on ankle stamp was the worse of the two tackles.
The Greek won the ball, didn't appear to play the man, yet received a red card. Granted, you can't jump in two-footed these days, and Screech having to retire hurt showed enough illegal contact was made to potentially warrant an early bath.
Fellani's was worse, however, yet Atkinson didn't appear too interested in that one.
Furthermore, the referee missed the worse of the lot some moments earlier when Pienaar virtually poleaxed Mascherano with a raking studs up challenge high on his shinbone.
An interesting player the South African, he of the 'God is Great T-shirts, who was later red carded for an unnecessary shoulder charge around Gerrard's face.
All skill and verve, but certainly plenty of niggle to his game.

Down to 10 men, it was always going to be a backs to the wall job for the Liverpool, and pretty much every player stood up to the task.
Honourable mentions to Lucas, Mascherano, Inusa, Gerrard, Carragher and Kuyt.
The Dutchman is invaluable in games like these, his workrate almost counting for two players.
Not only did he bag the goal which won the points, but one defensive back post header, begging to be converted for the Blues, was outstanding.
Gerrard seemed to have the fire back in his belly, and Insua seemed to regain the robustness and calmness on the ball which he displayed early on this season before a calamity two months around Christmas.

Everton must be kicking themselves. Such a golden opportunity to win at Anfield, yet they didn't have the nouse, quality, or sadly for them, the heart to press home their advantage.
Liverpool, however, and Benitez, used to specialise in games like this. Get your noses in front, and then shut up shop like the much-vaunted AC Milan and Italian defences which bored the hell out of neutrals, but which helped bag trophy after trophy.
Fair play to Carragher. The signs that his age might be catching up with him have seemed non-existent in recent months, with performances of true Bootle blood and guts.
And Lucas revelled in the dog-fight too. As has been discussed on these pages before, he loves a scrap.
It's a paradoxical thing. Yet the Brazilian, displays little of note in terms of silky forward play, yet seems to adore a battle in the middle of the field.
His reading of the game, ability to tackle, pinch the ball back, track back with a runner, is invaluable at times like these.

This was never a game for Aquilani. But that statement in itself is a worry. Surely for £20m, the Italian should be a player for all seasons.
Essien, Mikel, Ballack, all foreigners.....Song, Fabregas......they wouldn't quiver at the thought of these games.
You could imagine Aquilani would. Maybe the Arsenal game at the Emirates this Wednesday might be more up his street.
I wouldn't bank on it though, as Benitez's trust in the player appears already to be quickly wavering.

Opinion on the terarces appears undivided about Ngog.
True, in years gone by, the French forward would have been packed off on loan to learn his trade.
In these penny-pinching times, however, with greed-driven owners unpprepared to toss even a handful of farthings from their bulging pockets, it's very much a different story.
With Torres crocked, and Kuyt preferred as a midfielder, Ngog is the option. The only option.
Yet, while he appeared massively out his depth over the last eight months, there are signs his game is improving.
Let's not forget it can't be easy playing as a lone frontman for Liverpool with the sparse service and creativity a hardworking, but essentially mundane midfield of Mascherano and Lucas can give you.
But, I've noticed a growing confidence in Ngog with his back to goal, a more assured touch, ability to bring a ball down and turn, and willingness to accept the rough and tumble handed out by opposing centre halves.
You never know, the lad might still make a player.

And the difference between his contribution and the jogging indifference of substitute Babel was marked.
The Dutchman had the bit between his teeth in the early minutes of his substitute showing.
But it quickly turned into shrugs, any absence of trying to put the Blues defence under pressure, and some very questionable control from a £10m man.
Yet, still we try and foster forlorn hopes that the former Ajax man could still unleash an abundance of pace, power and 25 yard drives.

Nevertheless, we move on up to fourth and what looked a very sorry state of affairs one month ago looks infinitely more promising.
Especially with Man City, Aston Villa and Spurs all looking very average at the moment.
A win at Arsenal in three days time would even leave us on their coat tails after another limp Gunners surrender against one of the Top Two.
Maybe, a Top Three finish could be on the cards after all?