For Evertonians, the half-time omens were good.
Not only was it the first time in 21 Premier League Merseyside derbies that they had scored the opening goal (the previous time was in their last win over Liverpool in 2010) but it was also only the second time the Toffees had led at the break in a Premier League game at Anfield (the other occasion was September 1999 – their last league win away at Liverpool).
And so it proved as Everton produced one of their best showings of the season to seal a fine win against the reigning but soon to be deposed champions.