Everton’s players had a rude awakening on Saturday.
It came courtesy of an errant 1am alarm at the dockland hotel where they spent Friday night, shattering their sleep ahead of a huge game.
Some members of the squad believe the alarm was no accident, suspecting a deliberate bid to unsettle them by a mischievous Liverpool fan. But in the end, Carlo Ancelotti and his players went back to bed, woke up and ensured it was their rivals who had a sleepless night 24 hours later.
By 7.30pm, Everton were celebrating a historic Merseyside derby win at Anfield, their first across the park since 1999.
The Athletic can reveal the inside story of a triumph 22 years in the making; how it came about and how those responsible celebrated what is widely viewed inside Goodison as an important psychological landmark.
Ancelotti allowed himself a broad grin after the final whistle. He embraced his backroom staff. But he was not getting too carried…
