Everton recovered from what could have been a post-Merseyside Derby hangover to snatch a share of spoils against second-placed Arsenal despite a lacklustre first half.
Supporters of both clubs honoured the memory of Kevin Campbell in the ninth minute but the decisive moment of the opening period came on 34 minutes when Leandro Trossard’s clever, low drive put Mikel Arteta’s side in front.
David Moyes’ men improved after the break and when Jack Harrison was brought down by Myles Lewis-Skelly in the area, top scorer Iliman Ndiaye converted the penalty to earn a 1-1 draw. Here’s how the ECHO rated the players:
Jordan Pickford 7
Survived an early wobble when his shanked clearance under pressure from Leondro Trossard almost played Everton into trouble but could do nothing about the Belgian’s low finish, he made a spectacular second half save to tip Trossard’s strike over the bar, even though the effort wouldn’t have counted, and one from Gabriel Martinelli that would have done.
Jake O’Brien 6
Had an early chance hacked clear from a Jack Harrison free-kick into the box and was booked for a challenge on Ben White before Trossard used his body as a shield to find the net, but hung in there.
Nathan Patterson 6
Making his first start of the season in the unfamiliar left-back role, he’s kept things simple and steady, focusing on his defensive tasks rather than pushing forwards like he does when on his favoured right side.
James Tarkowski 7
Knew where the danger was coming for the goal but couldn’t get there, but then did well to track Trossard in first half stoppage time and made a block from the rebound, having to pick up a booking in the second half to stop Myles Lewis-Skelly when he’d left Harrison in his wake.
Jarrad Branthwaite 8
Getting back to his imperious best, he made couple of vital first half interventions, heading a Declan Rice corner off the line and then reading the play perfectly to devour Trossard with a monster tackle.
Idrissa Gueye 7
The veteran midfielder continues to show great energy levels and although Raheem Sterling left him in his wake in the build-up to the goal, he started several attacks through clever passes.
Tim Iroegbunam 6
Lasted over an hour having made his first start since September after eight straight games off the bench, the former Aston Villa man felt his way back with a measured display which showed increasing maturity if not dynamism.
Jack Harrison 6
Got Everton back into the game by winning drawing the foul from Myles Lewis-Skelly for the penalty, but for all his endeavours it was one of the few occasions he got the better of the teenager.
Abdoulaye Doucoure 6
Showed bits and pieces to trouble Arsenal and tested Raya with a low drive on his weaker left foot, but needed to make more of a mark on proceedings.
Iliman Ndiaye 7
Making his first start since he was injured in the Goodison derby, Everton’s top scorer coolly slotted in the equaliser from the penalty spot by rolling the ball to David Raya’s left and showed a few glimpses of his twinkling toes before making way.
Beto 6
Wreaked havoc at times but nothing quite came off, he almost worked an early opening when bursting into the Arsenal area while another chance took him wide.
Substitutes
James Garner (on 65 for Iroegbunam) 6
Lost his starting spot to Iroegbunam but offered a threat from set-pieces in the final quarter.
Armando Broja (on 65 for Beto) 6
Brought on to lead the line but had no real chances of note.
Ashley Young (on 75 for Patterson)
Everton’s oldest-ever outfield player offered a more natural option at left-back for the closing stages.
Carlos Alcaraz (on 75 for Ndiaye)
Back on the bench after a couple of outings on the left, he produced a spiky cameo and was booked for not retreating from a free-kick.
