Arsenal 2-0 Everton

By Rhys Lewis
September 21 2005

Everton slipped to their 7th defeat in 8 games this season at Highbury on Monday night. In a game where many expected another humiliation Everton at least managed to salvage some pride by preventing that, however it was still a defeat at the end of the day.

It was a fairly bright start for Everton as the opening exchanges were even and the first shot went to Everton. Marcus Bent cut inside from out wide only for his shot to go just past the post. But this was the last of the action for Everton in the first half as Arsenal took control and didnt let go from then on in what turned out to be a very comfortable win. Arsenal then took the lead after 11minutes through a Sol Campbell header. Campbell managed to break free from Joseph Yobo and head home from a very dangerous Reyes free kick. The 2nd goal was almost exactly the same as the first, a Jose Antonio Reyes free kick was perfect once again for Sol Campbell to head home his second of the game as he once again broke free from Jospeh Yobo.

At half time all that was expected was Arsenal to go on and get at least another couple of goals. But at least the Eveton players showed some pride and along with Arsenal taking it slightly easy in the 2nd half Everton managed to keep it at 2-0. There were few shots in what turned out to be a very dull second half. Robin van Persie struck the post and Nigel Martyn did well to stop Jose Antonio Reyes getting a goal with a smart save. Everton managed a couple of shots as well. A couple of efforts from the ineffective Marcus Bent failed to trouble Jens Lehmann, while Leon Osman did well to work an opening only to see his shot from go wide of the Arsenal goal. James McFadden also had an shot, his outside of the left boot curler was comfortably saved by Lehmann. Everton not for the first time this created no clear cut chances.

Arsenal had settled for the 2-0 at half time, as had Everton. It is sad to say that a 2-0 loss was not seen as to bad a result. There were little positives to be taken from this game apart from Matteo Ferrari made his debut at left back. He played very well considering it was his first game with his new team-mates, he was out of position and that Arsenal were running riot in the first half. His positional play, speed, judgement were all very impressive and also his commitment when Baz Rathbone said he couldnt carry on Ferrari went against the physio and carried on to help out his team. If the rest of the Everton players showed an attitde like that, the same attitude that got them 4th place last season then we would not be in the mess we are in. With Wigan at home on Saturday, it is a must win game to avoid a real crisis.