Yerry Mina’s first-half header helped Everton to a third successive win as they beat Arsenal 2-1 at Goodison Park to go second.
The big pre-match news concerned the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who missed his first league game of the season with a tight calf. Eddie Nketiah led the line and there was the welcome sight of Gabriel Martinelli on the nine-man substitute bench for the first time since June.
David Luiz returned for the suspended Gabriel, while Rob Holding took the captain’s armband alongside him. Granit Xhaka also missed out due to suspension so Dani Ceballos and Mohamed Elneny continued in midfield.
Everton started strongly, with Michael Keane firing narrowly wide from distance, before they took the lead on 22 minutes.
Alex Iwobi’s right-wing cross was met by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and his header went in off Rob Holding for an own goal.
Arsenal were level on 35 minutes, through Nicolas Pepe’s penalty after Ainsley Maitland-Niles had been fouled by Tom Davies.
On the stroke of half-time, Mina restored Everton’s advantage, heading in Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner at the near post.
After the break Arsenal pressed Everton, but the closest they came to an equaliser was when David Luiz’s deflected shot hit a post.
Everton held on to go second with 26 points, five behind Liverpool. Arsenal stay 15th on 14 points after a fourth defeat in five matches.
Three wins from three matches for Everton, this latest one a gritty and deserved victory over Arsenal in front of supporters who gave their team a rousing reception at full-time
Match-Stats :
| Everton | Arsenal | |
|---|---|---|
| 42.3 | Possession % | 57.7 |
| 2 | Shots on target | 2 |
| 9 | Shots | 13 |
| 551 | Touches | 708 |
| 399 | Passes | 549 |
| 13 | Tackles | 9 |
| 17 | Clearances | 10 |
| 4 | Corners | 3 |
| 1 | Offsides | 0 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 3 |
| 9 | Fouls conceded | 9 |
What Next ?
- Everton will play at Sheffield United on 26th December
- Arsenal will host Chelsea at Emirates on 26th December
