ARSENAL extended their Premier League winless streak to SEVEN, thanks to a 2-1 loss at Goodison Park.
A Rob Holding own goal and Yerry Mina’s header were enough to nab the three points, despite a Nicolas Pepe penalty.
- RESULT: Everton 2-1 Arsenal
- Everton XI: Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Mina, Iwobi, Doucoure, Davies, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
- Arsenal XI: Leno, Holding, David Luiz, Tierney, Maitland-Niles, Ceballos, Elneny, Saka, Pepe, Nketiah, Willian
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GOOD DAY AT GOODISON
So in a rarity where Everton were the favourites coming into this fixture, they earned a lot of bookmakers some money today by running out 2-1 winners against Arsenal.
It was a cagey affair to begin with as both teams struggled to stamp their authority on the game. Until a searching cross from Iwobi deflected off his former team mate and Arsenal skipper on the night, Rob Holding which flew past Leno putting the Toffees 1-0 up.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin did try to claim it, but he later admitted that he never got the final touch.
Arsenal equalised through a 35th minute Pepe penalty thanks to Tom Davies’ clumsy challenge on Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The Gunners began to show some dominance but a Yerry Mina header put Everton back in the lead just on the stroke of half time.
Believe it or not, that was the last big moment of the game as both sides failed to register a single shot on target in the entire second half.
One positive for Arsenal and their fans was seeing the return of Martinelli who had been out for around 8 months but it’s effectively another defeat for Arteta who is staring relegation right in the face.
Thanks for sticking with me SunSport family and enjoy the rest of your weekend whether you are in Tier 1, 2, 3 or even 4 now.
MATCH REPORT
For more of an insight to today’s fantastic encounter at Goodison Park which includes our player ratings.
CLICK HERE FOR THE MATCH REPORT
BLUES CLUES
Everton climb up to 2nd after a 3rd consecutive victory.
As for Arsenal they remain in 15th just 5 points clear of the drop zone.
UNLUCKY NUMBER 14
Arsenal have gained just 14 points from 14 games so far this season.
MORE FROM DCL
The Everton forward said: “I thought the performance again today to a man you know we dug in. Sometimes we don’t have the ball for long periods but we never panicked and took our chances when they came.
“I glanced it and obviously it’s come off the defender and gone in. I would have liked to have got on the scoresheet but the most important thing is the three points.
“We knew that they would be exposed in that area from set pieces and Yerry’s a massive threat in the air so you know that if the delivery is on the money and he heads it, chances are he’s going to score.”
DCL’S POST-MATCH ANALYSIS
Sometimes you’ve got to celebrate to make everyone think it’s yours but VAR you can’t get away with that these days.
ARSENAL SEEING RED
The Gunners have now gone seven games without a win for only the third time in their Premier League history.
RELEGATION FORM
Arsenal’s current Premier League form speaks for itself.
Awful.
FULL TIME STATS
Not a single shot on target from either side in the second half but it’s the score line what’s important.
SWEET VICTORY FOR THE TOFFEES
Everton get another big victory, it’s going to be a merry Christmas for them!
PEEEEEEEEEP!
THAT’S IT!
EVERTON HAVE DONE IT!
FT EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
90+3. Arsenal working hard to get that equaliser but Everton are not letting them through.
NOT LONG LEFT!
YERRY CHRISTMAS
Mina’s first half goal seems as if it is going to be the winner but don’t go anywhere folks, anything can happen in football.
FIVE ADDED MINUTES!
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
86. CLOSE!
That kid Saka again picking up the ball on the right hand side but this time he put in a teasing cross for an Arsenal body to get their head on it.
Willock was that man but he didn’t get the contact he wanted and it trickled wide for a goal-kick.
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
85. Saka with a quick snap shot after cutting inside from the right hand side.
It looked as if it was going in but for the defending of Holgate.
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
82. Standing ovation for Seamus Coleman as he makes a return after a lengthy time out in replace of Alex Iwobi.
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
82. Sigurdsson put in a tempting cross for Holgate to get his head on which he did but it was a poor header.
The game is getting tense!
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
79. Corner for Everton as they try and push for that third.
The Toffees trying to wrap up the game once and for all.
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
77. OOOOF!
Good play from Maitland-Niles as he slides in a ball to the overlapping Willock in a dangerous position.
The Engaland U21 international put in a decent cross but it was just a bit too high for Martinelli who was coming in at the back stick.
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
74. Bit of miscommunication between Tierney and Ceballos because the Spaniard played a way wood pass which went out for a Everton goal-kick.
This has given Arteta the chance to bring on Lacazette for Nketiah in his last attempt to get something from this game.
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
73. Ancelotti’s men happy to soak up the pressure and hit Arsenal on the counter attack.
Dangerous game.
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
72. It doesn’t amount to anything and Arsenal come the other way with an attack of their own.
Plenty of urgency from the Gunners now.
EVERTON 2-1 ARSENAL
70. 20 minutes left on the clock for Arsenal to get something from this game.
Martinelli comes on for Nicolas Pepe but his first duties is to defend an Everton freekick.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
