Jamie Carragher admitted a failure to keep a ninth successive league clean sheet took the shine off Liverpool's derby success at Goodison park last night.

James Beattie's 42nd minute strike for Everton was the first goal the European Champions have conceded in nine Premiership matches.

And Carragher said after the game: "It's disappointing to concede just before half-time - we were expecting a battle in the second half but the third goal (by Djibril Cisse) killed the game.

"We are disappointed to concede because the aim before the game was to keep a clean sheet and we haven't done it."

Steven Gerrard added: "We've got the bragging rights until the next derby now. I practise shooting as much as I can and although tonight's goal took a bit of a deflection I'll take it."

Everton manager David Moyes was left to lament the turning points in the game.

"The way it's been recently, we've not quite been getting decisions. I thought our goal (James Beattie's disallowed effort) was a goal and didn't think (one of) theirs was over the line - in fact I'm positive it wasn't," he said.

"We conceded goals at bad times but I'm really pleased with the boys' effort. I was disappointed with the sendings off, the boys (Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta) should have known better when they were on bookings.

"The players gave their all but we lost a goal in the opening minute which was unbelievable but credit to them, they kept going. But it wasn't to be."