Liverpool emerged from a pulsating Mersey derby battle that saw Everton reduced to nine men with their Champions League dreams right back on track.

With Chelsea losing at Aston Villa, Liverpool are now only two points behind the fourth-placed Londoners with a last day of the season trip to Stamford Bridge looking like a winner-takes-all-decider.

Liverpool took all the spoils from Everton and made it seven derby battles now without defeat against their nearest and bitterest foes.

They had to withstand a fearful barrage from all-action Everton in a game that saw referee Paul Durkin brandish 10 yellow cards, including two each in the second period for dismissed pair David Weir and Gary Naysmith.

Liverpool had lost stand-in defender Igor Biscan with a back injury after just eight minutes, had keeper Jerzy Dudek restricted by a groin injury for much of the match, but showed the nerves of steel that boss Gerard Houllier had demanded.

Michael Owen produced a magical goal to put them ahead, and then after David Unsworth's spot-kick equaliser, Danny Murphy blasted a 25-yard winner.

Everton had asked all the questions of Liverpool's character and bravery, and the Anfield men took it all on the chin to march away from Goodison Park with three precious points.

There was no Tomasz Radzinski for Everton - still not over his groin injury - while Liverpool, as expected started with Djimi Traore and Biscan at the back with Sami Hyypia suspended.

And Liverpool were under savage pressure right from the start of this 168th derby, on which so much depended with these two closest of neighbours level-pegging in the Premiership for the first time in many a year.

And Everton turned in the sort of passionate display expected of them after such a fine first full season under David Moyes.

Thomas Gravesen, Lee Carsley and Naysmith in midfield set about their opponents with a gusto that had Liverpool rocking as they took a pummelling from all angles.

Wayne Rooney, having looked to have been held back by Biscan going for a long ball, teased and tormented Liverpool's defenders in a compelling first half.

That half became even more difficult for Liverpool when Salif Diao had to replace Biscan.

It meant Jamie Carragher had to switch to centre-half with Diao playing as an emergency right-back.

Minutes later it was Jerzy Dudek who was in the wars, looking to have pulled a groin muscle clearing the ball. He was able to continue after treatment but unable to take any further goalkicks.

He was then buffeted by a Rooney jump some 12 yards out, dropping the ball, and was grateful for Carragher to clear Kevin Campbell's weak shot off the line.

That incensed Liverpool, who surrounded referee Paul Durkin at the next stoppage for a foul by Dietmar Hamann on Gravesen. Skipper Steven Gerrard overstepped the mark and was the first of seven first-half bookings, Hamann getting the card for his foul.

Gravesen, Naysmith, Milan Baros, Weir and Alan Stubbs all followed into Durkin's notebook as he struggled to keep the lid on a frenetic battle.

Liverpool had barely got out of their half before they struck a crucial blow with a goal on the half-hour.

And it was sheer quality in a game that was all about effort, battling, running and tackling.

It came from Owen, his 24th of the season and first from open play in his 10th derby - the only previous goal from Owen had been from the spot a couple of years back.

Owen picked up the ball way out on the left touchline and attacked a hesitant Joseph Yobo. The Nigerian fatally hung back and found himself left for dead as Owen surged forward, cut to his right and smashed a stunning low drive from the angle of the area inside Richard Wright's near post.

From being on the ropes for much of the half, Liverpool had a cushion they could defend.

And they did that pretty well with the likes of Carragher, Diao and Traore outstanding as the non-stop barrage continued to fly in at them.

Everton's style didn't change in the second period. It was all-out assault, with long throws and corners raining in on Dudek's goal.

Liverpool held out until the 58th minute when Carragher's challenge on Naysmith conceded a penalty. Carragher was booked and Unsworth stepped up to smash the spot-kick into the roof of the net.

Goodison Park was in uproar but Liverpool were instantly on the attack trying to rescue something. Baros headed a Riise free-kick down and inches wide, but on 64 minutes Murphy smashed his 12th goal of the season.

Hamann's shot was blocked and deflected into Murphy's stride and he unleashed a drive that crashed into the net off Wright's left-hand post.

Two minutes later Liverpool put on Diouf for Baros, and Heskey moved into a more central role with the Senegal striker playing on his now familiar right side.

Next on was Ferguson, after 68 minutes for Steve Watson, to play up front alongside Campbell, and an even fiercer aerial barrage now expected.

The fresher legs of Scot Gemmill were introduced for the tiring Gravesen in the final 15 minutes but by then Liverpool were looking as composed as they had managed at any time in the game.

Then it really started to go wrong for Everton. As Liverpool broke from deep defence, Weir brought down Gerrard from behind for his second yellow card and the inevitable red to reduce Everton to 10 men.

Then Everton were down to nine in injury-time when Naysmith fouled Diouf and also got a second yellow from referee Durkin.

Teams

Everton: Wright, Yobo, Weir, Stubbs, Unsworth, Watson (Ferguson 69), Carsley, Gravesen (Gemmill 76), Naysmith, Campbell, Rooney.

Subs Not Used: Alexandersson, Li Tie, Simonsen.

Sent Off: Weir (82), Naysmith (90).

Booked: Gravesen, Naysmith, Weir, Stubbs.

Goals: Unsworth 58 pen.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Biscan (Diao 8), Traore, Riise, Heskey, Gerrard, Hamann, Murphy, Owen, Baros (Diouf 66).

Subs Not Used: Smicer, Arphexad, Cheyrou. Booked: Gerrard, Hamann, Baros.

Goals: Owen 31, Murphy 64.

Att: 40,162

Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).