5 April 2025
Everton 1 Arsenal 1
After defeat in the Merseyside derby, Everton needed to bounce back in front of their own fans. They welcomed Arsenal to Goodison Park, with the visitors knowing nothing but victory would do. They also had the little matter of a game against Real Madrid in midweek to consider as well. The Gunners that is, in case that wasn’t clear at all and you thought this was the 1980s.
Arteta’s side have a fantastic record at this ground and started in confident fashion. As the ball broke to the back post to Sterling, his goal bound shot was blocked to protect Pickford’s goal. You felt The Toffees would be needing a lot of this, as well as a man of the match performance from their keeper to get anything out of this game.
The Toffees had a first glimpse of the Arsenal goal when Harrison whipped a free-kick into the box. It caught O’Brien offguard as the ball hit him and came back out into play. You wonder if it may have gone in if he hadn’t been there. It showed that the hosts could get some joy in the aerial battle with no Gabriel in the middle of the defence.
Gueye made a mess of a header in the Arsenal half and set the visitors clear. They cut straight through the Everton defence and the ball was worked to Trossard wide in the area. He shifted it onto his left-foot and drilled it past Pickford into the far corner. The away end erupted as The Gunners took the lead in this game.
Moyes’ side were struggling to get to grips with the visitors. Trossard almost had an identical chance but as he skipped past Tarkowski, Pickford made a good block to deny him. Moments later The Toffees’ defender made an important block when he denied Rice a shot at goal. Arsenal felt they could add to their lead before the break.
After the interval, a hopeful ball was played towards the Arsenal penalty area. Lewis-Skelly and Harrison were all over each other. The defender eventually tumbled to the ground and took the Everton man with him. After a pause for thought, the referee pointed to the spot. VAR did not intervene, giving The Toffees a massive chance to get back into this game.
Ndiaye stepped up and confidently slotted the penalty into the bottom corner, sending Raya the other way in the process. Everton have missed their dangerous attacker, after a long injury lay-off. Goodison Park was in the full voice and all of a sudden you wondered whether they could cause an upset, even if it meant doing rivals Liverpool a favour.
As a move for The Gunners broke down, Everton hit the visitors on the counter-attack. Doucoure had the ball with the goal in his sight but his shot was beaten away by Raya at the near post. Teammates threw their arms around with the confidence of player who was in a better position. Arsenal were looking nervy at the back without the reliable Gabriel.
Lewis-Skelly then went on what can only be described as an Elanga-type run from his own penalty area to Everton’s. As he skipped past Tarkowski, he was upended and referee awarded a free-kick. Rice stepped up to take and drilled it through the wall but Pickford stood firm and beat it away to deny the visitors once again.
Trossard then got through the middle and seemed to have a brilliant chance to win the game. He fired off a fierce volley which looked destined for the net. Somehow, Pickford got a fingertip to it, to divert it over the bar. It was a truly world-class save. The referee then pulled play back, adjudging the Arsenal man fouled O’Brien in the build-up.
Martinelli was the next player to try and get the winning goal. He cut inside from the left onto his right foot and rifled a shot off at goal that The Toffees’ keeper did well to turn wide. He was starting to frustrate Arteta’s side by this stage. With time running out, this would hand a massive boost to Liverpool’s title ambitions.
In the dying moments of the game, Tierney whipped a fast cross into the box. Merino rose for a completely free header at the near post but sent his effort wide of the target. That was the chance to win the game for The Gunners, they could not afford anything but wins right now. It was a solid point for The Toffees, who had been on a good run before their derby defeat.
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