ANDY CARROLL etched himself into derby day folklore by helping Liverpool to victory over 10 man Everton in a controversial game.

The £35m forward opened the scoring in this afternoon's 216th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park mid-way through the second half before strike partner Luis Suarez doubled the Reds' lead with less than 10 minutes to go.

David Moyes' men were up against it following the 23rd minute dismissal of midfielder Jack Rodwell when referee Martin Atkinson ruled he had fouled Suarez.

Television replays confirmed the suspicions of many that Rodwell had in fact taken the ball – Rodwell and the Everton supporters were visibly upset by the decision.

The set-back did not deter Everton who had been the better side up to that point but they had to survive two scares as the opening 45 minutes came to a close with Dirk Kuyt having a penalty saved by Tim Howard and Charlie Adam smashing a fierce drive against the underside of the bar.

Everton appeared to have weathered much of the Liverpool storm but their determination was struck a blow with just less than 20 minutes remaining as Carroll converted Jose Enrique's low cross to make it 1-0.

Eleven minutes later Suarez punished a rare defensive lapse from Sylvain Distin to make it 2-0 and ensuring the three points were heading back across Stanley Park to Anfield.

Louis Saha earned a first Premier League start of the season as Moyes placed the onus back on the previously out of favour striker.

The Frenchman replaced Phil Neville in the only change for the Blues from last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Likewise, Liverpool manager Dalglish made just one alteration from the 11 players who kicked off against Wolverhampton Wanderers seven days ago with Dirk Kuyt preferred to Jordan Henderson on the right hand side of the Reds' midfield.

Marouane Fellaini had the first shot of the opening derby of the season but saw his low drive from the right hand side, deflected out for a corner.

But it was the visitors who registered a shot on target as Kuyt capitalised on Phil Jagielka's miscued clearance to cross for Luis Suarez, but the forward's header was directed straight at Tim Howard.

Within seconds, Everton responded in kind as Tim Cahill's towering leap above Jamie Carragher saw him nod Seamus Coleman's cross goalward only for Pepe Reina to produce a fine save to tip the ball over the ball.

The Blues used the momentum and went close soon after as Sylvain Distin's neat turn in the area so nearly broke the deadlock but the defender's curled effort whistled over the bar.

Saha also saw a low drive narrowly miss the target as Liverpool became ragged – however Rodwell's red card gave the Reds a fresh impetus.

The Everton youngster was dismissed after 23 minutes having been adjudged to have fouled Suarez but television replays showed Rodwell winning the ball before making contact with the Uruguayan.

Suarez went down in pain and received treatment from the Liverpool medical staff as Rodwell traipsed off the field, visibly upset at the decision. It was the 20th red card in this game as a Premier League fixture.

Everton remained positive in the face of the set-back but it would be Liverpool who had the golden chance to take the lead just before half-time.

Suarez was fouled in the area by Phil Jagielka but from the penalty, Kuyt's low effort was saved by Howard.

However the American goalkeeper had the underside of his crossbar to thank when Charlie Adam's venomous striker crashed back off the woodwork.

It brought an increasingly wild first half to a close.

Buoyed by the salvo, Everton continued in upbeat manner after break and Saha dragged one just wide early on before the striker turned his hand to defensive work by clearing Andy Carroll's header off the line.

Jagielka too was alert to the danger as he put a dangerous ball in the area out for a corner before Carroll's downward header squirmed through on goal, only for Howard to palm out at full stretch.

Kuyt was then guilty of missing another decent chance when Stewart Downing's quick free-kick found him with space in the box but the Dutchman's first time effort was wayward.

Saha went close once more as he fired on goal from distance.

Dalglish introduced Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy from the bench with just over a quarter of the game remaining in a bid to enliven Liverpool's attack.

Having earlier brought on Royston Drenthe, Moyes responded to his opposite number's move by replacing Leon Osman with captain Phil Neville.

Liverpool's substitutions made the first impact as Bellamy fed the overlapping Jose Enrique whose cross found its way to Carroll who found the back of the net.

The Reds could have added to their lead but Kuyt seemed certain not to score his 50th Premier League goal as his late striker struck the post.

Everton directed their anger at the final whistle for official Atkinson.

EVERTON (4-4-1-1) Howard, Hibbert, (Vellios 79) Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman (Drenthe 59), Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman (Neville 69), Cahill, Saha. Not used: Mucha, Bilylaetdinov, Stracqualursi, Barkley

Goals: None

Cautions: Cahill

Red Cards: Rodwell (23)

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2) Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Kuyt, Lucas (Henderson 88), Adam (Gerrard 67), Downing (Bellamy 67), Suarez, Carroll. Not used: Doni, Henderson, Coates, Spearing, Flanagan.

Goals: Carroll (71) Suarez (82)

Cautions: Lucas

Red Cards: None

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Attendance: 39, 510