(Football news) Rafa Benitez’s side were in a crisis situation heading into the match against Arsenal at Goodison Park on Monday night. The Toffees had lost four and drawn one in their last five matches and in terms of form were joint lowest with Watford in the Premier League. Everton had earlier announced that sporting director Marcel Brands had left the club after a run of poor results and pressure was mounting on Rafa Benitez with the club hovering just five points above the relegation zone in 16th position before the match against Arsenal.
The home side started brightly but it was evident that they lacked rhythm against a formidable Arsenal side who were out for blood after losing 3-2 to Manchester United in their previous fixture. One of the talking points of the match occurred in the 27th minute as some fans began to leave their seats in a planned protest because it has been 27 years since the club last won a trophy. A banner was unfurled at the Gwladys Street End that read 'we demand nil satis nisi optimum, it's about time our club did too' in reference to the club’s motto that translates as ‘nothing but the best is good enough'.
Everton centre back Ben Godfrey was lucky to stay on the pitch after the 23 year old survived a VAR check for a red card after standing on Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu’s face. Yerry Mina was forced to be substituted in the 31st minute for Mason Holgate and the Toffees were unlucky not to go ahead in the 44th minute when Richarlison’s header from an Andros Townsend free-kick was deemed offside after a VAR check. To make matters worse, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard found the back of the net for the visitors after the Norwegian teed up with Kieran Tierney and volleyed into the bottom corner.
In the second half, Richarlison managed to find the back of the net again but was deemed offside for the second time after a VAR check. However, the Brazilian did manage to secure Everton’s equalizer with a 79th minute header after Gray’s shot hit the bar. Five minutes later, Arsenal missed a golden opportunity when substitute Nketiah failed to find the back of the net from four yards out which eventually came back to haunt the North London side. Everton scored their second of the night in the second minute of added time when Demarai Gray’s long-range effort clattered the post and went into the back of the net, ensuring the hosts managed to secure a much needed three points.
Arsenal’s Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang did have one final chance to salvage a draw for the Gunners but the Arsenal skipper shot wide. The 32 year old has failed to score in each of his last six Premier League appearances in what is his longest barren spell without a goal since a 14 game run from February to August 2014 while at Borussia Dortmund. The Gabonese footballer must rediscover his form if Arsenal aim to keep their top four hopes alive and secure Champions League qualification for next season.
