Arsenal return to the top with victory at Everton

Arsenal secured the win they needed at Everton to return to the top of the Premier League in a scrappy encounter at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Manchester City overhauled the Gunners with a comfortable victory against West Ham United before this match, putting the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta’s side on the return to his former club.

Arsenal’s cause was helped when Everton defender Jake O’Brien needlessly handled Declan Rice’s 27th-minute corner, with Viktor Gyokores hammering home the resulting penalty in emphatic fashion.

Arsenal were not at their best but could have extended their lead after the break, Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi both hitting the woodwork when they should have done better.

The win means Arsenal go two points above Manchester City at the top of the table, and six points clear of third-placed Aston Villa, who host Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal, as in their narrow win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, lacked fluency and were nowhere near their best, but those with aspirations on winning the Premier League title sometimes just need to get the job done.

They did exactly that, with the response they required after dropping down to second in the table after Manchester City’s win earlier in the day.

The Gunners were given a generous helping hand when Everton’s giant defender O’Brien inexplicably thrust both hands above his head when attempting to clear a corner.

It was a present gratefully accepted by Gyokores who, since the start of the 2023-24 season, has now scored all 19 penalties he has taken in league football for Sporting and Arsenal.

The Gunners created the better chances in the second half, hitting the woodwork through Trossard and Zubimendi, which had they scored might have made life easier in the closing moments, but in the end Gyokores’ penalty was enough to claim the three points.

For all Everton’s endeavour, Arsenal’s defence and goalkeeper David Raya were rarely troubled and were able to close out a vital win with few anxious moments.

Everton faced Premier League title-chasing Arsenal without their most talented forward Iliman Ndiaye, away with Senegal at the Africa Cup Of Nations, as well as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall’s creativity and goals have been crucial to Everton this season, especially with Thierno Barry and Beto only contributing two league goals between them while falling short of Premier League quality.

And how they were missed after Everton’s bright start was undermined by O’Brien’s mistake that led to the penalty.

Everton were nursing a sense of injustice in the second half when they were sure they had a penalty after William Saliba floored Barry by kicking his foot, but the video assistant referee decided no offence had taken place.

David Moyes’ side could not be faulted for effort, although there were times in the first half after the goal when they afforded Arsenal too much time and space, but all their attempts to move forward this season will be hampered by the lack of a quality striker.

This must be addressed in the January transfer window.

The recalled Dwight McNeil was peripheral, Tyler Dibling’s impact was minimal after coming on as a substitute, while Jack Grealish did not have one of his more influential nights.

It all added up to pure frustration for Moyes, Everton and the capacity Saturday night attendance at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

By BBC Sports