EXTRA INCENTIVE TO BEAT LIVERPOOL

Final Goodison league derby will fire up Everton as they aim to derail rivals' title bid

LONDON - Denting Liverpool's title ambitions will be a big enough motivation for local rivals Everton on Dec 7, but the fact that it is also the last Merseyside Premier League derby at Goodison Park will add extra spice to the occasion.

The Toffees will move out of their spiritual home since 1892 at the end of the season, taking up residence at their swish new 52,000-capacity Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

While the club's owners and fans hope that will mark the beginning of a new era of success after many years in the doldrums, the new ground may struggle to recreate the fevered atmosphere of derby day at Goodison Park.

Just under 40,000 will witness the 245th clash between the rivals on Dec 7, but the decibel level will sound like much more as Sean Dyche's hosts try to beat the leaders and create one last abiding memory for the blue half of the city.

The first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 1894 resulted in a 3-0 victory for Everton and while a similar outcome might be fanciful, given the current form of table-topping Liverpool, the form book may go out of the window.