Everton have hit back at Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's
branding of the Toffees as a "small club".
The Spaniard said after Saturday's 0-0 Merseyside derby: "When you
play against the smaller teams at Anfield you know the game will be
narrow."
Everton chief executive Keith Wyness responded on the club website
and said: "Benitez is in a minority of one in believing Everton is
a small club.
"Somehow we just expect more of a Liverpool manager."
Benitez was angry with Everton's tactics in holding the Reds to a
stalemate at Anfield as Liverpool fell further behind second-placed
Chelsea.
Liverpool dominated possession in the 205th derby but failed to
find a way through a stubborn Everton resistance.
When you play against a big club, a draw is sometimes a good
result
He said: "There was only one team that wanted to win and one team
that didn't want to lose, they had nine men all the time behind the
ball.
"When you play against a big club, a draw is sometimes a good
result."
Everton manager David Moyes brushed off the remarks and felt his
side were unlucky not to have gained their second win over their
neighbours this season.
He said: "We've taken four points off Liverpool this season, so we
must be doing something right.
"There's a difference of about £100m in spending between the two
clubs, but we are doing our best to bridge the gap. I would have
liked to come here and put on a bigger show, but it's not an easy
place to get a result and we've not done bad.
"We could even have won the game with a bit more luck."
Wyness however, was not as forgiving and felt Benitez's comments
were inappropriate.
He added: "It is disappointing to hear such an unnecessary comment
at the conclusion of what was such a splendid local derby."
