Everton 1-6 Arsenal : Match Report

Everton v Arsenal
Venue : Goodison Park
Lineups:

Everton - Howard,Hibbert,Yobo,Lescott,Banes,Osman,Neville,Cahill,Pienaar,Fellaini,Jo.

Arsenal - Almunia,Sagna,Gallas,Vermaelen,Clichy,Fabregas,Song,Denilson,Bendtner,Van Persie,Arshavin.


This was the most interesting game of the day. Arsenal without Adebayor and Toure travel to Everton’s Goodison Park who have been in the news due to Manchester City’s advances towards Lescott.

There were very few chances for either sides as ball was lost on a constant basis in the midfield and Everton looked the side with an upper hand as Jo and Fellaini were adjudged narrowly offside on several occasions.

Arsenal’s biggest strength, their passing ability brought about their first goal of the season. In the 26th minute Bendtner shifted the ball brilliantly on his feet to get past his marker and pass the ball on to Fabregas who in turn shifted it in the path of Denilson whose curling shot beat Tim Howard in goal.

Everton 0 – 1 Arsenal (Denilson 26’)

Everton had a great opportunity to equalise in the 33rd minute after a corner kick was headed by Fellaini but were to be denied by Denilson on the line.

Bendtner continued to bother Everton’s defence as he won a foul for his side. Van Persie’s left footed free kick fell to an unmarked new man Thomas Vermaelen who headed in to give Arsenal a two goal cushion in the 37th minute.

Everton 0 – 2 Arsenal (Vermaelen 37’)

Everton’s problems worsened in the 41st minute with another set piece goal conceded. This time Gallas was on the end of the free kick. Another defensive lapse by Everton gave the Londoners a very surprising 3-0 lead.

Everton 0 – 3 Arsenal (Gallas 41’)

This is how it remained until half time. Arsenal with a shocking 3-0 lead away from home and Everton looking out of ideas.

Everton 0 – 3 Arsenal (Denilson 26’, Vermaelen 37’, Gallas 41’) (HT)

It would have been a very hard half time talk by David Moyes as Everton came out in a positive mood with decent crosses coming into Arsenal’s half.

Although Everton paid to commit many men forward as they were caught out on the break. Van Persie slid the ball in towards an approaching Fabregas in the box who slotted the ball in the back of the net in the 47th minute.

Everton 0 – 4 Arsenal (Fabregas 47’)

Arsenal made it a five star performance in the 70th minute with a long run by Fabregas. It all started with a throw from Almunia towards the Spaniard who ran all the way without drawing a challenge towards him. His powerful shot beat Howard for the fifth time in the day.

Everton 0 – 5 Arsenal (Fabregas 70’)

As a mark of respect Fabregas and co. displayed an Arsenal jersey in memory of the Espanyol captain, Jarque who passed away last week.

Everton tried their best to grab a goal. Saha came close in the 75th minute with his snap shot but it flew wide of the goal.

A quick passage of play in the 89th minute into the Everton box saw the ball on to the feet of Arshavin whose deflected shot on target hit the post and Eduardo tapped into an open goal from two yards.

Everton 0 – 6 Arsenal (Eduardo 89’)

Everton did grab a consolation goal through Saha’s shot into the back of an open goal after Almunia made a decent save.

Everton (Saha 92’) 1 – 6 Arsenal

Everton 1 – 6 Arsenal (Denilson 27’, Vermaelen 37’, Gallas 41’, Fabregas 47’, Fabregas 70’, Eduardo 89’, Saha 92’) (FT)

Gunners with an astoundingly fabulous performance. Six goals in the very first game sending out a very strong message to the rest of the Premiership who questioned their ability to withstand losing out two key players of their squad.

Everton had a miserable day. Nothing went right for them either going forward or in the back. David Moyes would have a hard time motivating his players for the next game. It would also raise rumours about Lescott’s future at the club and the money that could otherwise benefit Everton.