Arsenal v Everton - Match Report - Premiership 2005/2006

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert

, Yobo, Weir, Ferrari, Osman, Arteta, Cahill

, Neville

, McFadden, Bent.

Bench: Wright, Valente, Ferguson (for Cahill 67m), Kilbane (for Bent 80m), Davies (for Arteta 83m).

They do not come any harder, after you have lost eight of your last nine competetive matches, than an away trip to London to face the Arsenal. Everton do not win at Arsenal full stop. The record books in the Premiership will show you, the Gooners love facing us Blues, tonight unfortunately was no different.

Without Henry, they still could throw at us Van Persie, Reyes, Ljunberg, a returning Sol Campbell, and still keep Dennis the Menace on the bench. We meanwhile dropped Valente, after two piss poor starts for the Blues. In came another new boy, right footer Matteo Ferrari, who played of course at left back. Mikky Arteta returned as Simon Davies dropped to the bench.

Everton were outwitted by two first half set piece goals from Sol Campbell. Our defensive stability, earned us fourth place last season, but this term the back four, look strangers to each other. Even dependable Nige was dragged down, as for the Arse's first he came for a ball he was never going to win. Campbell out jumped the whole Everton defence to put the Gooners one up. Ditto for the second, but this time Reyes free kick was directed in from the left, as Everton fell to the second sucker punch of the evening.

Benty ploughed his lone furrow again, as Everton's approach was more physical than attacking. Tiny and Phil Neville found their way in the ref's book, as Everton huffed and puffed, but Lehamnn was a mere spectator in the half. It could have been worse if Van Persie's shot, had not hit Nige's post, but in the scheme of things, 2-0 at the half flattered the Blues.

Half Time: Arsenal 2 EVERTON 0

Whatever Moyesy said at half time had the desired effect, as Everton came out of the blocks desperately trying to restore some much needed pride.

Everton had the lions share of possession, but until the quality of our final pass is vastly improved, scoring this season will be as scarce as an urn of Ashes in Australia. Every time Everton pressed, they came up against a wall of Arsenal players. Dunc was thrown in as expected with twenty odd minutes to go, but all to no avail.

It was damage limitation, and it was a ground we would look at when the fixtures are out, expecting to get nothing at. This has to change on Saturday. Wigan at home, the Blues second from bottom, three points, one goal, countless against. The talking stops, and the winning begins, as last season's exploits are already seeming a distant memory.

My bluekipper starman goes to Tony Hibbert, who pipped Phil Neville. Solid tackling, from our right back. If he could just throw a decent ball in, he would be one of the country's best.

Full Time:Arsenal 2 EVERTON 0

Mikky Pips Freddie To The Ball

Faddy Outjumps Freddie

Report
from
Highbury

Blue Kipper Star Man

Solid

Phil Neville

Returned

Quotes After The Game

Moyesy says: "We never accept defeat regardless of who we play. We won’t accept losing tonight but I think that considering the week we’ve had, the players stuck at it. 2-0 down at half-time we asked them to show some pride and show what it meant to play for Everton and everyone of them stood up for themselves.

Both goals came from set-pieces which in the main you don’t associate with Arsenal, but we didn’t defend them well. We gave away too many free-kicks to give them those opportunities. You take the games as they come and we’ve actually got quite a difficult start to the season but we’ll try to do our best to win on Saturday."

Faddy says: "I enjoy the role of just being over that white line. At times it has been frustrating for me sitting on the bench but it is just good to be involved now. There is always going to be chances for players to come in. My chance has come now and it is just unfortunate we have lost the two games I have been involved in. But if I continue to work hard then hopefully I can help the team put things right.

You can look at it being frustrating on the sidelines when the team is not doing well because you want to be involved trying to help the team. But it is also frustrating when you are on the sidelines and the side is doing well because you want to be part of a successful side. It doesn't really matter what is happening on the pitch. It is the fact you want to be on the pitch, doing well and doing your bit.

It was a disappointing night and it is never nice losing but we know this is a difficult place to come and try and get a result, as last season proved. We were embarrassed last season but I don't think we were embarrassed tonight. We tried to apply ourselves in the right manner but in the end we have lost to two set-pieces, which is disappointing." (20/09/05)

Off The Ball

Everton Team News

Everton are without Harry Hill, Nace, PK and Biffa. Everton have Mikky Arteta fit. Simon Davies has shin splint problems, but should be fit. Moyesy has to decide if he can bring in any new faces or stick with the team that got tonked in Bucharest.

Moyesy says: "I'll have a look because anyone who is fit will have a chance of being selected. It was unfortunate that Mikel missed out the other night because he has started the season well and we have been pleased with him. He has become a play-maker for us. He is always looking to get on the ball and we will always encourage players who are like that to try and do what they are doing. He never hides from the ball and he is always looking for options. He has done very well for us. It will be good to get him back in there, alongside Phil Neville who gives us that bit of professionalism in the middle of the park."

Andy Van der Meyde On Dennis Bergkamp, His International Team Mate Says: "We have to take care of Dennis because he is a very good player. But we can be confident because we have a good team."

Everton from: Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Ferrari, Yobo, Osman, Arteta, Davies, Neville, Cahill, Kilbane, Ferguson, Bent, Wright, Li Tie, Hughes.

Jogger's Everton XI To Start: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Ferrari, Valente, Osman, Arteta, Cahill, Neville, Killbane, Bent.

Lavo's Bet: £10 on Cahill for First Goal (7/1).

About The Opposition

Thierry Henry is out. Sol Campbell is back. Wenger may decide to play Dennis Bergkamp. Jens Lehmann is likely to return after suspension.

Last Season @ Arsenal

Match Reports 2005/2006

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