Gerard Deulofeu came off the bench to prevent Arsenal taking a seven point lead at the Premier League summit with a stunning late equalizer at the Emirates Stadium. Mesut Ozil’s strike 10 minutes from time had looked poised to give Arsenal a victory to capitalize on their title rivals’ slip-ups on Saturday, but Everton responded magnificently with their Spanish starlet, on loan from Barcelona, scoring a scorching goal four minutes later.
On the balance of play it would be hard to begrudge Everton a point from a match in which they backed up their memorable victory at Old Trafford during the week. Without creating any chances of note, Roberto Martinez’s men were dominant for the opening 40 minutes against an Arsenal side that lacked energy, despite Arsene Wenger having made four changes from the win over Hull City on Wednesday.
But at the end of the opening half, Arsenal got going and were twice denied by Tim Howard. Everton, with their eye-pleasing passing and equally impressive endeavor without the ball, had appeared to have quelled Arsenal’s threat. Instead the game exploded into life in the closing minutes, first when Ozil fired in from close range, before Deulofeu’s dramatic impact on the match. There could have been a further twist had it not been for the woodwork denying Olivier Giroud an even more spectacular goal with almost the last kick of the match.
Having been so close to the win, Wenger will no doubt be disappointed not to have made more of dropped points for Chelsea and Manchester City. Still, with his side not at their best for much of the encounter, and against an impressive Everton side, he may reflect that it is far from the worst point to have picked up. And in the bigger picture, a five point advantage in the Premier League standings still leaves his side in the driving seat, against all pre-season predictions.
Meanwhile, things continue to look positive for Everton. Again Martinez’s side played with positivity and belief at the home of one the Premier League’s big boys. Just one point now stands between them and the top four and, on this evidence, a Champions League place is a realistic goal.
More to follow.
All Goals - Arsenal 1-1 Everton (08-12-2013... by video4all
VIDEO Arsenal 1-1 Everton: Highlights; Stunning Deulofeu Goal Rescues Point For Toffees After Ozil Opener
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