Rosicky thwarts Toffees

Four-goal thriller in terrible conditions in Premier League clash

By James Riach   Last updated: 9th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rosicky thwarts Toffees

Rosicky: Late leveller

Man of the match: Marouane Fellaini takes this award for breaking things up in midfield and putting in a really physical performance.

Goal of the match: Steven Pienaar finished like he was playing in his back yard - chipping coolly over Manuel Almunia after a great ball from Tim Cahill.

Miss of the match: James Vaughan could have made sure of the points moments later but his shot was well saved by Almunia.

Moment of the match: Pienaar's goal was against the run of play and should have been the match-winner, but Tomas Rosicky's crucial last-gasp goal proved to be the moment of the match.

Talking point: Arsenal need to tighten things up at the back if they are going to mount a challenge for the Premier League.

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An injury-time goal from Tomas Rosicky salvaged a point for Arsenal against Everton in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Emirates.

On a bitter afternoon in North London, it was the Toffees who drew first blood when Leon Osman rose well from a Landon Donovan corner to head past Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal goal.

Everton looked good value for their lead but were undone in the 28th minute when Osman unwittingly deflected a Denilson shot past Tim Howard at the other end.

Conditions worsened in the second half but the entertainment did not, and the Toffees looked to have snatched the points when Tim Cahill fed in Steven Pienaar, who chipped the ball beautifully over Almunia with just nine minutes of normal time remaining.

However, Arsenal fought back and secured a draw as Abou Diaby broke forward to lay the ball off for Tomas Rosicky, and his shot deflected off Lucas Neill and into the net.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had called on his team to maintain the momentum which has dragged them right back into the title race with five wins from six, but it was Everton who made the better start.

Louis Saha had got ahead of the defence on the right, but blasted over.

It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead on 12 minutes as Osman headed in a corner from Donovan, the United States international making his debut after a loan move from Los Angeles Galaxy.

Test

Wenger's youngsters faced another test of character and looked for an immediate response. However, Everton dropped men back to crowd midfield.

Arsenal were, though, level on 28 minutes. Denilson charged down a clearance and the ball fell to Andrey Arshavin on the edge of the penalty area.

The Russian fed Eduardo, who touched a pass back to the Brazilian, and his low strike took a wicked deflection off Osman to wrong-foot Howard.

Despite getting themselves back into the match, Arsenal looked anything but comfortable when defending around their own penalty area.

Almunia then failed to collect a deep cross, which Tim Cahill almost headed in, while Everton captain Phil Neville then chipped his angled effort onto the roof of the net.

The conditions worsened as the second half started.

Donovan weaved his way into the Arsenal penalty area, and was unfortunate to see a curling shot drift wide.

As the hour mark approached, the weather - which caused the postponement of the midweek match here against Bolton - showed no signs of improvement.

Arshavin cut into the right side of the Everton box and drew Howard, but the Everton keeper did well to recover and claw the ball away.

Saha latched onto a stray pass and charged goalwards, before his 20-yard shot was deflected behind.

Bacary Sagna's deep cross from the right was just too far ahead of both Rosicky - on for Aaron Ramsey - and Arshavin, arriving at the far post.

Armand Traore flashed a left-wing cross through the six-yard box, before Denilson struck a 20-yard effort over.

Changes

Both teams made further changes with 15 minutes left as Eduardo was replaced by Carlos Vela and Everton sent James Vaughan on for Saha.

Abou Diaby hacked clear after Cahill broke into the left side of the Arsenal box before Arshavin did the same at the other end, with his shot blocked at the near post.

Everton, though, snatched what looked to be a late winner when Pienaar raced onto a pass from Cahill to chip Almunia with eight minutes left.

Vaughan could have made the game safe when clean through, but this time Almunia saved.

Denilson, just returning from a back problem, had to be taken off on a stretcher after collapsing in the build up to the Everton attack. Fran Merida came on.

Arsenal threw plenty forward during the closing stages, and were rewarded in stoppage time when Rosicky smashed home a close-range shot which deflected off Lucas Neill.

ArsenalTeam StatisticsEverton
2Goals2
11st Half Goals1
2Shots on Target3
2Shots off Target3
5Blocked Shots3
6Corners8
12Fouls13
2Offsides6
1Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
85.1Passing Success70.1
20Tackles32
80Tackles Success65.6
66.4Possession33.6
55.3Territorial Advantage44.7

Comments (5)

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Russell Griffiths (Everton fan) says...

what a cracking match! that was the old Everton- backs to the wall, crunching tackles and finally some organistion at the back- Vaughan should have killed the game off but fair play to Arsenal- thought they'd fluffed it against West Ham last week also but show they have character to pull it back when needed- very impressed with Donovan- great pace with Saha with Piennar, Osman, Cahill and Fellaini supporting Everton finally have some options- bring back Arteta and we'll be up in the top 6 before long! coyb

Posted 20:00 9th January 2010

Sylvester Ashikeni (Arsenal fan) says...

We need a very strong centre foward. The Midfield never ticked with Song gone 4 CAN. Wenger must see to this if we want 2 make an impact as the season reaches its crucial pinacle,

Posted 17:57 9th January 2010

Epulle Pullee (Arsenal fan) says...

This is the reason why arsenal should buy new striker.Eduardo are not a striker that arsenal needed.He can't score goals.I really don't understand why Arsene Wenger didn't use the money they have to buy new player.Then if he decided to buy a player it must be a youth player which he said have a lot potential.Did he realize that Arsenal is a FOOTBALL CLUB that suppose to win silverware.Arsenal is not a FOOTBALL ACADEMY.He should splash the cash to buy a player that can improve the team especially a striker and defender.He should buy a striker such as David Villa.Even the price is high it will be a good investment for them in future.If he wish to sign Chamakh,Gignac or Dzeko he should go for it.Arsenal is the team that played fantastic football.All the players is a good player.They just need someone that can guide and lead them on the pitch.

Posted 17:54 9th January 2010

Andre Dent (Arsenal fan) says...

Supported Arsenal for over 40 years and as much as it hurts to say this it's going to be another season of pipe dreams, broken promises and no silverware. The boys may play pretty football but when they come up against the big boys of the Division they might just hang onto their coat tails - likewise in the Champions League. So Mr Wenger a little more 'grit' required in the squad...please!

Posted 17:53 9th January 2010

Richard Pennycott (Arsenal fan) says...

All I can say is...Phew! at least manage to salvage a point was a good Arsenal performance Everton just caught us on the break...

Posted 17:44 9th January 2010
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