Everton vs. Liverpool: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Sadio Mane scored the only goal in Monday's Merseyside derby, giving Liverpool a vital 1-0 win over Everton in the Premier League.

The Toffees were the better side before the break, but chances were few despite the intensity of their play. Liverpool improved in the second half, but solid attacking football remained rare.

Mane struck late, however, bagging his goal halfway through eight minutes of added time.

As the Reds' Twitter account shared, Simon Mignolet made the start in goal ahead of the struggling Loris Karius:

Everton took control of the early proceedings, with Seamus Coleman trying to force the action down the right wing. Two free-kicks were steered into the Liverpool box, but the Reds stood firm.

Idrissa Gueye isolated Romelu Lukaku, who took his touch a little too wide and couldn't find a team-mate with an angled cross. Mignolet attempted a clearance that fell to Aaron Lennon, who almost picked out James McCarthy.

Per Squawka Football, the hosts dominated the opening stages:

Ross Barkley struggled to make the most of his chances, wasting several promising opportunities around the Liverpool box, with Lukaku waiting to be played in each time. When he fed Lennon instead, the winger found the Belgium international with another cross, but Ragnar Klavan made a great block in the nick of time.

Barkley powered an effort wide of the post before Georginio Wijnaldum blasted over. Liverpool took more of a hold on midfield as the half wore on, though the Toffees looked confident in defence.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

For all their pressure, Everton created little in terms of clear chances, and the Reds almost made them pay after 38 minutes. Roberto Firmino laid the ball off to Mane, who played a dummy. Wijnaldum played in Nathaniel Clyne, who serviced Divock Origi in the box. The Belgian couldn't keep his effort on target, though.

Empire of the Kop loved the combination but also noted Origi wasn't having a good night:

"

Fantastic play from Liverpool, but Origi's finish is horrible. Not happening for Divock so far.#EVELIV

— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) December 19, 2016"

McCarthy required attention after taking a knock to his thigh, which broke up the momentum. When play resumed, Ramiro Funes Mori went close to opening the score, heading the ball just wide after a great delivery from Barkley.

At half-time, Men in Blazers were hardly impressed:

While Everton were the better team during the first half, Liverpool took control early in the second. James Milner sent Firmino in behind the defence, and while his initial attempt was saved by Maarten Stekelenburg, both Mane and Clyne had looks on the rebound.

Gueye did well to fend off Firmino, and at the other end of the pitch, Lukaku threatened with a difficult header.

Chances were coming fast, but neither side was particularly efficient, per Bleacher Report UK:

Stekelenburg appeared to be in serious pain, but Everton took their time preparing Joel Robles to come on to the pitch, and the Reds tried to take advantage. Clyne raced down the touchline to fire in a cross, but the Toffees defended it well.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Barkley was booked for a rash tackle on Jordan Henderson, an incident that set off a bit of a skirmish. Coleman also saw yellow for his role in the pushing and shoving.

Sportswriter Ed Malyon was appalled Barkley got away with a yellow card:

Ashley Williams couldn't threaten Mignolet with a tame header, and Firmino opted for a spectacular but ineffective overhead kick instead of a header after a good cross by Clyne. Robles made a great save to deny Firmino, stopping Liverpool's best chance of the half.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp introduced Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge in search of a late winner, but flying tackles and shoving matches remained more common than chances. With no less than eight added minutes added on for injury time, Liverpool had the upper hand and plenty of opportunities to break the deadlock.

Mane came through after Sturridge hit the post, firing home the rebound to send the away fans into delirium. Per Squawka Football, the Senegalese has been excellent since he joined the Reds this summer:

Firmino nearly doubled his team's lead, but Coleman slid the ball out of danger before it crossed the goal line, and Everton ran out of time in their bid to find an equaliser.

As shared by the Reds, Mane had a message for their fans after the match:

Liverpool will host Stoke City next week, while Everton visit Leicester City on Boxing Day.