Arsenal ensured they would be top of the Premier League at Christmas as they earned a 1-0 win at Everton – but it did not come without controversy.
Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty after Jake O’Brien’s careless handball was the difference between the two sides at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, yet there would be more VAR incidents to come.
Everton looked all but set to be awarded a penalty of their own after William Saliba kicked the underside of Thierno Barry’s leg as he looked to clear the ball. VAR checked the incident for a long time after referee Sam Barrott did not award the spot kick – and did not award it, claiming “the contact from Saliba on Barry wasn’t sufficient for a penalty.”
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Arsenal defender William Saliba’s challenge on Everton’s Thierno Barry is checked for a possible penalty – but cleared.
There was also an incident where Barry ran in towards goal and was brought down by Martin Zubimendi just outside the Arsenal penalty in what could be deemed a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity – but that claim is less clear-cut.
It was a tricky night for Arsenal, who struggled in the first 15 minutes but recovered to take the lead. After Gyokeres saw a penalty shout waved away after going down under O’Brien’s challenge at the far post, the same Everton defender put two hands on the ball from Declan Rice’s corner in a clear spot kick.
Gyokeres converted to end a run of five games without a goal since scoring last against Burnley in early November before his injury. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard handed him penalty responsibilities, with that goal being the first time in two years that the Norwegian or Bukayo Saka have not taken a spot kick when they have been on the pitch.
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A big goal for Arsenal and Viktor Gyokeres, who scores a penalty which was given after Everton’s Jake O’Brien handled in the box.
Arsenal limited Everton to no shots in the first half, just the second time since Opta records began that has happened to them in a Premier League home game – but it was a different story in the second half.
Arsenal found it more challenging amid the penalty shouts, even though they hit the post twice through Leandro Trossard and Zubimendi, while Saka saw a shot cleared off the line by James Tarkowski.
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Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard hits the post in their Premier League match at Everton.
After losing top spot to Manchester City earlier in the day, Arsenal move back to the summit to end a run of three Premier League away games without a win.
More to follow.
