By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport
  Gary Speed put the brake on Liverpool's charge to the top of the
Premiership tonight with a dramatic late equaliser at Anfield. 
   Everton's �3.5million summer buy from Leeds struck after 82 minutes to
cancel out Robbie Fowler's opener for Liverpool. 
   Fowler's goal, his 11th of the season and his ninth in seven games,
would have been enough to take Liverpool above Newcastle. 
   But then Speed homed in on Andy Hinchcliffe's free kick to head the ball
beyond keeper David James and leave Liverpool stunned. 
   Both sides fielded the same teams that were so impressive at the
weekend, Liverpool winning 2-0 at Leeds while Everton thrashed Southampton
7-1. 
   But Liverpool manager Roy Evans was forced to make a change after 17
minutes as Steve McManaman pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring
strain. 
   Stan Collymore, the subject of a reported �4.5million bid by Aston Villa
last week, replaced the England star. 
   Referee Stephen Lodge took only four minutes to produce the first yellow
card of the 155th meeting between these Merseyside rivals. 
   Liverpool's Michael Thomas was cautioned for a stiff challenge on Nick
Barmby on the edge of the area. Hinchcliffe, however, sent the free kick
high into the crowd. 
   That was as good as it got in the first half for Everton, who scored
five goals in that time at the weekend. 
   Liverpool dominated and were only inches away from taking the lead after
26 minutes following another dangerous corner from Stig Bjornebye. 
   Mark Wright got in a towering header that defeated keeper Neville
Southall, only for Speed to get a foot in and clear off the line. 
   But four minutes later, Liverpool got the breakthrough and inevitably it
was Fowler who was back on target. 
   Southall did superbly well to tip away a powerful 25-yard effort from
Jamie Redknapp. Bjornebye and Redknapp linked up from the corner with the
England midfielder floating in a delightful ball from the edge of the area. 
   Fowler was perfectly positioned to send a header looping over the
Everton keeper and under the crossbar. 
   Redknapp then released Bjornebye but his effort from just outside the
area was too high. 
   Liverpool finished the half on the attack with Jason McAteer    
misdirecting a header from the Norwegian's cross. 
   Duncan Ferguson's appearance after the interval seemed to give Everton
the boost they needed and Liverpool found themselves on the defensive. 
   Thomas gave away a free kick after tangling with Speed but Hinchcliffe
fired his effort over the top. 
   Speed, who scored a hat-trick against Southampton, turned quickly in the
penalty box, only for keeper James to stand up and block the shot. 
   Liverpool stepped up the pace again and Southall again made a marvellous
save, turning away Collymore's powerful header after Bjornebye had supplied
the cross. 
   Bjornebye, such a tireless worker, took the corner and the in-rushing
John Barnes was only inches wide with his header. 
   But then came that equaliser to restore the balance of power in
Merseyside. 
                                          

LIVERPOOL LOSE PLOT OF THEIR SUCCESS STORY

   Liverpool manager Roy Evans accused his players of "losing the plot"
tonight after they let slip the chance to go top of the Premiership. 
   Evans' men were within eight minutes of leap-frogging Newcastle after
Robbie Fowler's 11th goal of the season, when Welsh international Gary
Speed struck. 
   That set up a grandstand finish and Liverpool could have suffered a rare
home defeat if Stig Bjornebye had not managed to clear David Unsworth's
effort in the dying minutes. 
   Evans said: "We had a good first half where we matched them pace for
pace, then set the tempo. 
   "But in the second half we lost the plot. We are just forgetting to pass
the ball at the moment. The best form of defence is to keep the ball. 
   "We are still in there, though, with the teams at the top and this was a
tough game." 
   Steve McManaman could miss the Wimbledon match on Saturday after limping
off in the 17th minute with a tight hamstring. 
   Evans added: "It is not a fresh injury, it was something he picked up
before Euro 96 and he is doubtful for the weekend." 
   Everton manager Joe Royle has not lost to Liverpool in five meetings
now, and he had the added bonus of seeing Duncan Ferguson play out the last
45 minutes because Andrei Kanchelskis was still suffering from flu. 
   But Royle admitted he was disappointed his side did not convert one
point into three. 
   He said: "Not many sides will come here and have so much possession. We
might have nicked it and the signs are good for us. 
   "Fergie was very rusty but he gave us a physical presence we didn't have
in the first half. He has a massive influence on the team. 
   "Fowler seems to be following in Ian Rush's footsteps. He is a terrific
player and you can't give him any room. It was a terrific finish."   

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