Arsenal‘s hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League were dented on Sunday as Everton captain Phil Jagielka took advantage of an unexpected late recall to score the winner in a dominant 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.
The veteran defender, who was brought into the team for a rare appearance after Michael Keane had to withdraw in the warm-up through illness, scored after 10 minutes to earn his side a well-deserved third straight league win.
It marked a significant setback for disappointing Arsenal, who remain fourth in the table but missed an opportunity to leap ahead of their third-placed north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Unai Emery’s side stay on 63 points, one behind Spurs, level with fifth-placed Chelsea and two clear of Manchester United in an increasingly tight battle for the Champions League berths.
Relive all the action below.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Everton vs Arsenal in the Premier League.
Team news:
It's an unchanged team for Everton, who go with the same side that beat West Ham so comfortably last weekend.
Arsenal, meanwhile, make two changes. Mohamed Elneny comes in for Aaron Ramsey, who picked up an injury in the win against Newcastle, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is in for Alex Iwobi.
Arsenal, having played one game fewer than their rivals, can cement their place in the top four with a victory today. Unai Emery's side will leapfrog Tottenham into third and sit three points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea if they leave Goodison Park with three points.
It will not be an easy task, though. Everton, despite their inconsistency this season, are in resurgent form. Marco Silva's side have won their last two in the Premier League and looked impressive as they swept West Ham aside at the London Stadium a week ago.
Arsenal will be aware, too, that their away form remains questionable. They will need to be at their best to get the better of an improving Everton team.
Arsenal's record against today's opposition might encourage the travelling supporters. The Gunners tend to do well against Everton, and haven't lost to them since a 2-1 defeat in 2016.
Mesut Ozil makes his fifth consecutive start for Arsenal today, so he appears to have forced his way back into Unai Emery's plans. This is his first appearance away from home since Boxing Day, though, and today will be a test for the German.
Everton have been forced into a last minute change: Michael Keane has been taken ill, so Phil Jagielka will replace him.
The teams are out at Goodison Park! Kick off is just a couple of minutes away...
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
3 minutes
Arsenal almost take the lead immediately. Mkhitaryan wins the ball in midfield with Jagielka out of position. He plays Lacazette through, and the Frenchman looks for Mesut Ozil at the back post. His cut back is scrambled behind for a corner, which Everton clear.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
14 minutes
Everton are making things difficult for Arsenal, who look slightly rattled here. The visitors started the game well, playing some intricate football in the final third. But the hosts have grown into it and look worthy of their lead at the moment.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
15 minutes
Digne plays an excellent diagonal ball into Richarlison, who is in far too much space in the box. Arsenal manage to crowd him out, but the ball eventually finds its way to Gomes on the edge of the box. He has a go, drilling a left-footed shot wide of the far post.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
17 minutes
Mkhitaryan and Ozil try to work a short corner but manage only to gift Everton a goal kick. There's a familiar look of frustration on the face of the latter, who's been kept quiet so far.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
18 minutes
Calvert-Lewin nearly catches Leno out, harrying the goalkeeper and blocking his attempted clearance. Nothing comes of it, but Everton are really putting pressure on the away side here.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
20 minutes
Sokratis is getting some treatment from the physio after going down under a challenge from Gomes. That will concern Emery. His side still haven't managed an away clean sheet and are short of defensive cover on the bench.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
26 minutes
Everton threaten again, Richarlison breaking down the right and swinging a ball into the middle towards Calvert-Lewin. It just evades the forward, but runs through to Gueye, who cuts back onto his right foot and goes for goal. His shot swerves way wide, though, running out for a throw in on the far side.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
31 minutes
This has been a really poor first half from Arsenal. Other than that early opening, they've created almost nothing, and they look vulnerable defensively. Kolasinac, usually a reliable crosser of the ball, finds space on the left but his delivery goes into the stand behind the goal.
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