Kai Havertz of Arsenal competes for a header as Jordan Pickford of Everton attempts to punch the ball clear during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Everton produced a dogged defensive display to Arsenal victory and earn a richly deserved goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium that Blues will hope to use as a platform for the feelgood factor that an imminent takeover from the Friedkin Group could bring.
Jordan Pickford made a couple of crucial stops in both halves but with all those in blue also working hard in front of him, Sean Dyche’s men were able to frustrate Mikel Arteta’s side and withstand a barrage of their much-vaunted set pieces.
This is how Chris Beesley rated the players in north London.
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Jordan Pickford 8
Two impressive saves either side of the break as first he denied home captain Martin Odegaard from close range following a Tarkowski deflection and then turned a low Bukayo Saka effort around the post, he also had to be assertive dealing with a Jarrad Branthwaite back pass that was short, but was booked for supposedly time-wasting when kicking the ball away after a flag went up for offside.
Ashley Young 7
Fresh from becoming Everton’s oldest ever goalscorer, this was an energetic display from their oldest outfield player as he picked out Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a smart pass into feet and looked pretty sound, even up against the dangerous Gabriel Martinelli, although he was booked for a challenge on the Brazilian.
Vitalii Mykolenko 8
Rightly overcame a VAR penalty check for his challenge on Thomas Partey and made a goal-line clearance as Everton were clinging on, he was up against it, facing Arsenal’s player of the month Bukayo Saka, but while it was a difficult assignment in which he couldn’t switch off for one moment, he hung on in there.
James Tarkowski 8
Made a timely interception when attacking Odegaard’s close range effort, Arsenal’s set piece prowess ensured he was kept busy but the Everton captain relished having to attack the ball with a series of dominant headers, although he got away with one with a loose first touch from Pickford’s pass.
Jarrad Branthwaite 7
Played his part in a determined defensive display and stuck his head in where it hurts against Gabriel Jesus’ high boot, but almost played his side into trouble a couple of times with a short back pass that Kai Havertz tried to intercept after giving up possession cheaply in the first half with Declan Rice picking up the loose ball.
Idrissa Gueye 7
An industrious display in the engine room, he was kept busy, swarming around in front of his back four, but could have helped a bit more going forwards if his touch had been better at times.
Orel Mangala 7
Everton’s ‘Mr Cool’ in possession provided his side with some respite from the home side’s pressure while he showed his ability to pick a pass again when his diagonal ball found Doucoure for his early chance.
Jack Harrison 6
Recalled on the right wing after Dwight McNeil’s knee injury flared up again, most of his contributions were defensive rather than offensive as he helped the visitors in their rearguard action.
Abdoulaye Doucoure 7
Nominally Everton’s most advanced central midfielder but had to put in a real shift while one of the times that he did get forward brought an inviting early chance as he cut inside but it fell to his weaker left foot and Gabriel Magalhaes was able to make an interception.
Iliman Ndiaye 7
Back on the left, he’s worked really hard to help Mykolenko behind him while also offering a threat on the break but despite the usual tricks and flicks, he didn’t get much change out of Arsenal.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6
Worked hard to lead the line on his own in difficult circumstances, a lot of his work was with his back to goal as no real openings came his way.
Substitutes
Armando Broja (on 66 for Calvert-Lewin) 7
Held the ball up well and gave Arsenal something to think about in the final quarter.
Jesper Lindstrom (on 66 for Harrison) 7
Like Harrison, it was mostly going backwards rather than forwards but held his nerve against Leonardo Trossard in the dying stages.