Everton Battle For A Strong Point At The Emirates
- Spirit of The News
- Dec 15, 2024
- 3 min read
An extremely impressive defensive display from Sean Dyche’s side led the Toffees to claim a huge point away from home against the Gunners.
Lineups:
Arsenal:
Raya
Saliba
Gabriel
Timber
Lewis-Skelly
Ødegaard
Merino
Rice
Saka
Martinelli
Havertz
Everton:
Pickford
Mykolenko
Tarkowski
Branthwaite
Young
Gueye
Doucoure
Mangala
Harrison
Calvert-Lewin
Ndiaye
Dwight McNeil did not feature for the Blues today, with the manager revealing the winger picked up a knee issue that flared up in the week during training at Finch Farm.
With the Merseyside Derby last week being postponed, there was time for all the Everton staff and players to be entirely focused on this fixture, with it mostly playing off with the team today set up solid defensively but reasonably poor attackingly was enough to
The fixture list this month for Everton is looking extremely menacing, and a big point today will certainly give the squad a lot of confidence for the next games.
Everton Remaining December Fixtures:
Everton vs Chelsea
Man City vs Everton
Everton vs Nottingham Forest
The game against the odds started in the favour of the visitors, Everton. When Abdoulaye Doucoure picked up the ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area, behind him was Brazilian defender Gabriel. Doucoure took his time to take the shot that would have been a huge change to go ahead. Soon enough, Gabriel caught up with the Mali international, blocking his shot as it headed out for a corner for the Toffees.
I think it is safe to say the man of the match for the Blues was goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Two impressive saves in the first half from Martin Ødegaard seemed incredible, but it seemed the England international stepped it up a level in the second 45 minutes.
A flick on from Mikel Merino inside the Everton penalty area landed into the path of Bukayo Saka, who was in a fantastic position within the box. As the 23-year-old volleyed the ball into the path of the bottom left corner. Somehow, Pickford managed to get down, with almost cat-like reflexes, to palm the ball around the post, causing everyone in the ground to have their head in their hands!
Jordan Pickford Premier League Stats:
Appearances: 301
Clean Sheets: 81
Wins: 94
Losses: 135
This amazing defensive performance with a compact approach, alongside some moments of time-wasting to run down the clock, overall lead to the referee blowing the whistle, sharing the points that the Toffees will be definitely more grateful for.
In his post-match interview, Mikel Arteta seemed very frustrated. “We fully deserved to win the game,” Arteta told Sky Sports. Also speaking to the BBC, exclaiming that he is “very disappointed not to win the game, obviously.”
On the other hand, Sean Dyche exclaimed that “it's difficult at these grounds to think you'll have the ball. Adding that “they're (Arsenal) a fine side.” Finally, Dyche ended the interview mentioning that he was “proud of the players” and that "it's another step in the right direction."
Some other positive news this week from Everton, this time from the fan’s perspective. Australian teenager Mackenzie flew 10,000 miles to watch Everton in the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park only for it to be called off due to Storm Darragh. This week, the young fan got the opportunity to visit the training facilities alongside meeting both staff and players.
Credit - @EvertonHub (Instagram)
Adding onto this, Mackenzie was gifted tickets to go and see the Blue boys in action at the Emirates as well as coming back to watch the match against Liverpool rescheduled for the 11th February, under the lights at Goodison Park.
Matchday 16:
Saturday 14th December:
Arsenal 0-0 Everton
Liverpool 2-2 Fulham
Newcastle 4-0 Leicester
Wolves 1-2 Ipswich
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa
Sunday 15th December:
Brighton 14:00 Crystal Palace
Man City 16:30 Man United
Chelsea 19:00 Brentford
Southampton 19:00 Spurs
Monday 16th December:
Bournemouth 20:00 West Ham
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