Everton 2-1 Arsenal

 

Picture and Report by Arsenal.com

We conceded a late, late goal to slip to defeat at Everton on Monday night.

Martin Odegaard gave us the lead on the stroke of half time, but the hosts levelled up the scores when Richarlison – who had seen two goals ruled out for offside – headed in.

Eddie Nketiah had a golden chance to put us back in front but hit the post, and deep intom stoppage time Demarai Gray curled in the winner from the edge of the box.

In truth, until a flurry of activity before the interval, the first half had little of any note to report other than a incident that saw Ben Godfrey boot end up in Takehiro Tomiyasu’s face.

The challenge was reviewed by VAR, but surprisingly no action was taken against the Everton man.

We were struggling to get going, and a passive display looked set to be punished when Richarlison headed in for the hosts in the 43rd minute – only to be ruled out for offside.

We took full advantage of that let-off when, seconds before the whistle Kieran Tierney – back in the team for the first time since October 18 – whipped a fine delivery in from the left and Odegaard volleyed in our opener.

It was a huge fillip just before half-time after a low-key performance, and after the restart we had another stroke of luck as Richarlison thought he had equalised – but once again it was disallowed for offside.

Back we came, and moments later Odegaard played in Gabriel Martinelli, who went round Jordan Pickford but was forced wide and his cross-cum-shot hit the top of the net.

The game became fragmented as the clock wound down, much to the frustration of the the home crowd – but eventually the hosts equalised as Gray’s curler hit the bar, and Richarlison headed in on the rebound.

We had to try to win this game all over again, and came so close to regaining the lead when Bukayo Saka stood an inviting cross up to the back post to the onrushing Eddie Nketiah, but the striker hit the post from close range.

Odegaard had a half chance as the game entered injury time, but his shot was blocked inside the area – but right at the death the hosts nicked it as Gray fired in from 20 yards.