ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Everton 1
Arsenal 0
LONDON • Just when it seemed Arsenal had discovered the resolve and momentum to propel themselves into next season's Champions League, they reverted to being, well, Arsenal.
The old flaws of recent years - weak defending and character in particular - returned at Goodison Park to dash Unai Emery's hopes of reclaiming third place and tighten their grip on a top-four finish.
Everton were more comfortable and deserving winners than yesterday's 1-0 scoreline suggests.
Phil Jagielka, a late inclusion in Marco Silva's starting line-up, pounced early to give the hosts a third consecutive Premier League victory and their second in successive home games against a member of the "Big Six".
The Portuguese manager's side were dynamic, industrious and resilient in every department, while Arsenal were found wanting on every score.
They have recorded only one away win in the league since November and, with only two of their remaining six matches at the Emirates Stadium, the biggest obstacle to their chances of rejoining the European elite is obvious.
Emery's latest attempt to remedy the sequence was as ineffectual as his team.
NULLIFYING THE GUNNERS
We got one goal, but could have had a few more. They're a very good team and have proved that all season, but it's nice to beat one of the so-called bigger boys. I'm not normally a match-winner, but it was good. They're the best goals, tap-ins from two or three yards out.
PHIL JAGIELKA, Everton's match-winner, savouring his goal.
BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE
It was a disappointing result. We played okay, but we didn't have many chances to score. We conceded an unlucky goal at the beginning of the game from a throw-in and it was difficult to play against a deep defence.
BERND LENO, Arsenal goalkeeper, lamenting his side's slow start to the game.
Jagielka was summoned into the starting line-up only minutes before kick-off after Michael Keane fell ill during the warm-up.
The 36-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign on the sidelines, with injury and heightened competition restricting him to only three league starts, but that was forgotten as he swept Everton into a lead their first-half display richly deserved.
The breakthrough reflected much of the opening 45 minutes - direct and effective by the hosts, weak and careless from the visitors.
Lucas Digne, who was also feeling the effects of a virus before kick-off, launched a long throw into the Arsenal penalty area that Jagielka won comfortably.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin won the second ball with a diving header that deflected back to the veteran defender and, onside and unmarked, Jagielka beat Bernd Leno with a close-range finish to become the oldest player at 36 to score in the league this season.
The early setback for Arsenal continued their record of conceding in every league game on the road this season, the only club in England's top-four divisions to do so.
But, while Everton were given the licence to dictate proceedings in the first half, they were also helped by Emery's 5-3-2 formation and his decision to omit Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the starting line-up.
The introduction of the duo at the start of the second half, and the switch to 4-3-3, was the manager's admission of his own mistakes.
The brittle defending and lack of movement were, however, entirely the responsibility of his players.
The Gunners improved as an attacking unit after the interval, but the Toffees were the brighter, stronger and more dangerous unit throughout.
Only their failure to land a second blow on Arsenal's glass jaw kept the contest alive longer than it should have been.
THE GUARDIAN
April 6 (Reuters) - Crystal Palace all but banished any lingering relegation fears as captain Luka Milivojevic fired home a late penalty to secure a 1-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle on
Milivojevic penalty seals Palace win at Newcastle - The
Manchester City took a huge step towards retaining the Premier League title as a 2-0 win at Manchester United on Wednesday took them a point clear of Liverpool at the top of the table with three games to go.
Football: Albirex Niigata could sign up to four Singaporean players in a boost for 2019 SEA Games
Latest ALBIREX NIIGATA | The Straits Times
Rooney bags first MLS hat trick in D.C. romp Former England star Wayne Rooney scored three goals on Saturday night to lead D.C. United to a crushing 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Rooney registered his first three goals of the new season and also his first hat trick since signing on with Major League Soccer in July 2018.
Rooney bags first MLS hat-trick in DC romp - gulf-times.com
'You have to go and play three games to win every single game': Pep Guardiola wants perfect run-in as Manchester City close on league title. Manchester City are one point ahead of Liverpool in
Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Newport County AFC v Manchester City - Rodney Parade, Newport, Britain - February 16, 2019 Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez scores their fourth goal Action Imag
Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarterfinals
Carragher - Salah is more Ronaldo than Messi, only he can stop De Bruyne winning Player of the Year. Liverpool legend sees similarities between Salah and Real Madrid star Ronaldo, and says the
Should Salah do more than just score goals ESPN FC - YouTube
Aston Villa will return to the top flight after a three year absence. Aston Villa held off a late fightback from Derby County to win promotion back to the Premier League with victory in the
Villa return to Premier League with win over Derby County
Beste Galerie von football raddy avramovic could make shock return to singapore as new home united coach - michelewilliamsphotography.com
Football: Deeney joy as 'special' Watford reach FA Cup final
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that a majority of national soccer federations were in favor of expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams.Infantino said a decision would
Gianni Infantino Says He Has Wide Support For 48-Team World
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi is courting interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Villareal. The 17-year-old attacker is one of England's best players in his age group and has made four
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Chelsea 'confident' teen sensation will
Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused December 30, 2018 admin 0 Comments Football , Sport London - Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focused after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.
Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focussed - Pulse Nigeria
Manchester City could be transfer banned for a year, and that's good news for Tottenham. New But now imagine for a second that City indeed will have a two-window transfer ban. That changes
Will Manchester City be banned from next season's Champions
Qualifying into the Champions League and Europa League from one of the top five leagues in Europe requires teams that lie in the top six. However, according to UEFA, these rules have some
Manchester City shows title credentials in derby win at Man
0 comments:
Post a Comment