Everton v Arsenal LIVE: Ndiaye equalises straight from half-time after Lewis-Skelly concedes penalty
Arsenal visit Everton in the Premier League knowing they have to win on Merseyside to keep any pressure on Liverpool in the title race.
While Mikel Arteta’s side are certain to be runners-up, the Gunners have the chance to trim Liverpool’s advantage to nine points ahead of their trip to Fulham tomorrow. The Reds required Diogo Jota’s goal at Anfield on Wednesday to end Everton’s unbeaten run under David Moyes and Arsenal will have to match that result.
But the visitors may be forgiven for looking ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid at the Emirates, in what appears to be their best chance of winning a trophy this season. Arteta’s side were lifted by Bukayo Saka’s return in the midweek win against Fulham, but lost Gabriel to a season-ending injury.
Do Arsenal turn their attentions to Europe or can Everton do rivals Liverpool a favour in the title race at Goodison Park? Follow updates below.
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
57 mins: Arsenal have yet to lose this season when they have scored first, per TNT Sports commentary.
Ndiaye clatters Jorginho and concedes a free-kick in good range for the Gunners.
The ref has a word with the Arsenal captain for blocking Pickford’s view of the wall.
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
54 mins: Everton have a pep in their step, Goodison Park is bouncing, and the hosts nearly have a second as a counter works its way to Doucoure – but Raya palms away his attempt.
Incidentally, that penalty was Everton’s first shot on target so far.
Arsenal continue to press though: Saka gets a shot but has no space in a crowded penalty area, and another move comes to naught as Tarkowski knocks the ball behind for a Rice corner.
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
Myles Lewis-Skelly is a huge talent but he also has a rashness that has brought the attention of referees. He didn’t really need to haul Jack Harrison down, especially considering Everton’s lack of threat in the first half, so that felt a rather needless penalty to concede.
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
50 mins: A ninth goal of the season for Ndiaye and suddenly this has got a lot more interesting.
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Arsenal
49 mins: There’s a lengthy delay before Ndiaye can take, but he’s cool as you like, slotting it into the bottom right corner with Raya sent the wrong way.
Immaculate.
Everton 0-1 Arsenal
48 mins: Darren England made no hesitation in pointing to the spot. There’s a VAR check for offside in the build-up, but the call stands.
Jorginho goes into the book for complaining about it.
Ndiaye stands ready to take.
PENALTY! Everton 0-1 Arsenal
46 mins: What a start! Early mix-up by Arsenal as Beto looks to cause some chaos, then Lewis-Skelly gets in a tussle with Harrison and brings him down on the edge of the area, falling down on the Everton player!
Penalty to the hosts.
SECOND HALF: Everton 0-1 Arsenal
46 mins: Ready for the second half, and bad news for Everton: Nwaneri and Sterling have come off and the big guns are on: Saka and Martinelli.
No changes for the hosts.
HALF-TIME: Everton 0-1 Arsenal
Not, you’d have to say, the most scintillating half of football you’ve ever seen.
A communication mix-up by Everton led to Sterling stealing the ball from Gueye’s knock-down and teeing up a lovely composed finish by Trossard, in the only real moment of quality in that entire half.
Everton have occasionally threatened on the counter but have wasted their chances and need to come out firing after the restart.
