Champions Liverpool were foiled by VAR as they were held to a 2-2 Premier League derby draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday after a late effort from Jordan Henderson was ruled out.

Everton remained top of the table on 13 points, three ahead of Liverpool, after an incident-packed end to the 237th Merseyside derby.

The game was locked at 2-2 after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 10th goal of the season in all competitions had brought Everton level in the 81st minute. But in stoppage time, Thiago Alcantara found Sadio Mane with a clever pass and the Senagalese’s low cross was turned in by Henderson, only for VAR to find the narrowest of offsides.

To add to Liverpool’s disappointment, they suffered an injury to key defender Virgil van Dijk which forced the Dutchman out of the game in the 11th minute.

Liverpool were humiliated 2-7 by Aston Villa just before the international break but they quickly set about putting things right when Mane scored in the third minute, firing home a low cross from Andy Robertson.

Everton took advantage of the Van Dijk’s absence, when, from a corner, Michael Keane rose at the near post to power a header past Adrian.

Mohamed Salah restored their lead in the 72nd minute, but Everton got back on level terms when James Rodriguez sent Lucas Digne down the left and his perfectly floated cross was headed home by the leaping Calvert-Lewin. Everton’s Brazilian forward Richarlison was sent off in the 90th minute after a wild challenge on Thiago Alcantara.

Thrilling draw

Chelsea were held to a 3-3 draw by a spirited Southampton side who equalised in added time to earn a deserved point in a thriller after Timo Werner had scored two early goals for the home side.

Southampton’s Jannik Vestergaard snatched a point after an injury-time free kick, glancing home Theo Walcott’s shot at the end of an entertaining and open game of fluctuating fortunes.

Later, stand-in skipper Raheem Sterling scored the only goal as Manchester City returned to winning ways in their clash with Arsenal.