Written by Max O Collins and Karl Hinchcliffe

Yesterdays match was the ultimate football cliché – a game of two halves.

With a changed 4-5-1 line-up it was apparent that Everton came to the Emirates Stadium to defend, and boss the midfield, looking for a goal on the counter. Low and behold, in the 8th minute, on the cracking green surface at Ashburton Grove, Steven Pienaar was slotted in down the left by Leon Osman. The terrier like midfielder played a neat one two with Pienaar and buried a shot into the bottom corner past the despairing Manuel Almunia.

What on earth had happened? Had the players swapped their kits? Everton don’t score in the 8th minute away to Arsenal, it seemed somewhat rude! Plain outrageous! But the players took it in their stride, seeing out the first half, and I dare say, creating a few chances as well. The most notable of which was a Joleon Lescott header that beat Almunia, but not Gael Clichy. The Frenchman cleverly read the situation to clear the ball off the line past his beaten keeper.

Arsenal, did threaten in the first half, and showed what they were capable of, but only in patches. Robin Van Persie had a wild shot well saved by Tim Howard, blasting the ball at the American’s body, when a cool head was necessary. Phil Jagielka and Lescott defended bravely. Coming up against Emmanuel Adebayor, both had to read every long ball perfectly, or else the lanky Togolese would have been through on goal. The whistle came after 2 minutes of added time, and the singing came from the minute corner where the Evertonains were stood. Another half like this and the blue boys would be in heaven.

The second period started, and a few minutes in, hearts were broken. Samir Nasri, on the edge of the area kept a shot low and buried it into the same corner in which Osman had opened the scoring. 1-1 and the game was slowly swinging Arsenal’s way.

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The Gunners then went ahead 15 minutes later. A scramble in the box resulted in a parry from Howard which flew onto Robin Van Persie’s head and past the stranded American. Not even the valiant attempt of Leighton Baines on the line could keep the ball out. 2-1, and it wasn’t looking pretty. Arsenal, played with confidence, and their game flowed. A few tempers flared. Tony Hibbert got booked for a hard tackle on Nasri, this led to a typical over reaction from Arsenals Prima Madonna’s and Clichy also saw his name taken in the referees black book.

Everton failed to really test Almunia in the second half, and the game was put beyond them in the last minute of time by Theo Walcott who slotted home his team’s third. He had played his part in the comeback, having been brought on at half time. We can take heart from our first half performance but it’s now time for us to deliver for the full 90 before we find ourselves in real trouble at the foot of the table.

Player Ratings:

It was a better display which the toffees can build on. Fellaini looked good as a target man, although he needs to sort out his passing. Rodwell fitted snugly into the Carsley role. He managed to keep Fabregas and Nasri quiet for the whole of the first half. Pienaar and Osman were their usual tenacious selves. Jagielka can’t get much better; he single handily keeps the team together with his passion and heart on sleeve attitude. Baines is looking better game by game, and Hibbert’s match sharpness is keeping Neville restricted to bench action… thankfully. Yakubu was reasonably sloppy, but showed glimpses of class. His work rate and endeavour however needs to improve. Who was our captain today? Arteta needs to impose himself on the game more, he just isn’t his former self. Next up, United at home, it doesn’t really get much easier does it?!

HOWARD – 7
HIBBERT – 7
JAGIELKA – 7
LESCOTT – 6
BAINES – 6
RODWELL – 8
ARTETA – 6
FELLAINI – 6
OSMAN – 7
PIENAAR – 7
YAKUBU – 6

Arsenal Ratings (starting 11)

ALMUNIA – 7
SONG BILLONG – 5
TOURE – 7
SILVESTRE – 7
CLICHY – 6
EBOUE – 6
FABREGAS – 6
DENILSON – 6
NASRI – 7
DIABY – 6
VAN PERSIE – 8

Karls comments on the fan trouble, from his seat.

As a side note I’d just like to comment on the disgraceful behaviour from a segment of Arsenal ‘fans’ who spat on our supporters from the middle tier, this was also followed by them throwing coins/lighters and pretty much anything else they could get their hands on. This caused ugly scenes when the stewards and police showed extreme levels of disinterest to this happening.

If you are going to have one set of supporters sat above another it needs to be stewarded properly. This wasn’t the case yesterday. The police reacted not by looking for the culprits but to indiscriminately draw batons and both women and children were hit. Police and stewards at times seem to have a real issue with our fans and I think minds are made up about who will cause trouble before we have even arrived.

Ugly scenes continued outside as Arsenal fans were allowed to throw objects at our supporters walking down a gangway to the awaiting coaches. The police again chose to ignore this but were quick to draw batons on any Blue reacting to being struck with coins etc, whilst calling us ‘Scouse *****. All in a day’s work though I suppose from our none prejudiced public servants. Before you go, please register on our forums and come discuss the game with us.

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