Everton v Arsenal LIVE: Gunners held as Liverpool supplied Premier League title increase by rivals
Everton held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park to help rivals Liverpool take another step towards the Premier League title.
Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty shortly after half time cancelled out Leandro Trossard’s opener and means Liverpool will have the chance to open up a 14-point lead at the top of the table if they defeat Fulham at Craven Cottage tomorrow.
Mikel Arteta started with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli on the bench ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid as Trossard fired the Gunners in front on the counter-attack.
But Myles Lewis-Skelly brought down Jack Harrison moments after the restart and Ndiaye equalised from the spot. Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli were brought on but Arsenal’s best chance fell to Mikel Merino, who headed wide.
Liverpool could win the title by the end of the month if they win their next four games. The Reds play Fulham on Sunday, followed by West Ham, Leicester, and Tottenham on 27 April.
‘I wanted to give the penalty to Beto’ – Iliman Ndiaye speaks
“I think it’s a great point,” Iliman Ndiaye says on TNT Sports. “Obviously we lost earlier this week and we needed to turn things around today and get a result, and luckily we did that today.
“It felt great [to score]. I wanted to give the penalty to Beto but I thought I had it in me to get back on the scoresheet. I’m really happy to be back.”
Goodison draw means Liverpool extend their Premier League lead
Of everyone, it’s probably Liverpool who will be most pleased with the result, although Arteta will be relieved to have no more major injuries ahead of their meeting with Real Madrid.
Everton move above Spurs, 15 clear of relegation in 14th overall, but Arsenal trail the Reds by 11 points – and are looking over their shoulders too, only five clear of Nottingham Forest.
FULL-TIME: Everton 1-1 Arsenal
It’s a draw at Goodison Park, which feels about right. Arsenal dominated possession but couldn’t capitalise on their counter-attacking first-half goal, courtesy of a mix-up by Everton defenders Gueye and Branthwaite, allowing Sterling to slip away and tee up Trossard’s lovely finish.
A soft penalty conceded by Lewis-Skelly allowed the hosts back in, with Ndiaye the picture of composure as he sent Raya the wrong way. Arsenal continued to press but neither side took their chances in the closing stages.
FULL-TIME: Everton 1-1 Arsenal
The requirement for Liverpool is down to 11 points to become champions though, in reality, Arteta’s team selection was an admission that Arsenal’s priorities have changed. But a fifth draw in six games is a sign of how hard to beat Everton have become under David Moyes.
FULL-TIME: Everton 1-1 Arsenal
90+4 mins: Booing from the crowd and the Everton players surround Darren England as Trossard kicks in the direction of Tarkowski but nowhere near the ball itself, putting him off from heading it. The ref seems to blow the full-time whistle way too early, then changes his mind, Everton earn a free-kick, and Raya comes out to collect.
England now blows the full-time whistle and it’s all square at Goodison Park.
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
90+3 mins: Young concedes a corner under pressure. Saka takes but it’s Young himself who punts it clear.
Seconds left.
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
90+2 mins: Kiwior does well to snuff out an attack by Broja. Garner takes a throw-in, headed clear by Merino, now sporting a black bandage on that cut from the first half.
As it stands Arsenal are 11 points behind Liverpool.
CHANCE! Everton 1-1 Arsenal
88 mins: Alcaraz gets a yellow for preventing Trossard taking a free-kick after fouling the Belgian international.
Arsenal are pressing for a winner now but time is running out. Tierney crosses in for Merino but the midfielder-cum-striker heads wide. The ball might have just slipped off the layer of Vaseline on his head.
