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Everton’s resurgence continued on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Arsenal in front of 2,000 fans at Goodison Park.
An own goal from Rob Holding and a goal from Yerry Mina at the break were enough to ensure that Nicolas Pepe’s penalty in the first half did not count for anything.
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Everton took the lead in the 22nd minute as former Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi crossed the ball into the box where it bounced off Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s head and then into Holding before entering the net.
Arsenal drew level in the 35th minute when Tom Davies dropped Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the area and was awarded a penalty. Pepe sent Jordan Pickford down the wrong path before placing the ball in the lower left corner.
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Steve Nicol feels that people need to judge Arsenal on its current state, not dwell on what the “Invincibles” achieved.
However, Arsenal’s triumph only lasted 10 minutes. Everton won a corner taken by Gylfi Sigurdsson. Mina jumped over the Arsenal defense and headed it past Bernd Leno at the near post.
Arsenal improved in the second half, but could not find a marker to level the game.
The result places Everton second in the table while Arsenal remain 15th.
Arsenal’s start is the worst since the 1974-75 season, but Mikel Arteta, who has lost 13 and won 13 of his 34 games in charge, said his team was still ready for the fight.
“The guys are still fighting. They are hurt right now,” he said.
“We lost the game in two key moments. We dominated the game. We created enough opportunities at least not to lose,” he added.
“We are in a great fight. We lost against Burnley without them shooting on goal, and now we lose by a couple of chances. We need to generate more to win soccer games. In the small details, the other team wants it more.”
The Merseysiders lost four times in October and November, but are unbeaten in four games and are back on the hunt at the top of the table.
“We did very well in the last few games. Brilliant performances and fantastic results. We have shown more consistency,” said Everton coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“This season we started well, then we had a difficult moment, but right now I am very happy,” said the Italian, who marked his first year at the helm.
