Arsenal and Everton shared the spoils as they played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring as he found the bottom corner inside 34 minutes after being found by Raheem Sterling on the counter attack.
The hosts got on level terms four minutes after the break as Myles Lewis-Skelly was judged to have brought down Jack Harrison inside the box before Iliman Ndiaye converted the penalty.
Mikel Arteta’s went close to taking all three points but Jordan Pickford was on hand to deny Gabriel Martinelli late in the second-half.
The Gunners are now five points ahead of third-placed Nottingham Forest, who take on Aston Villa later in the day.
Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN was at Goodison Park to assess the players’ performances.
Arsenal and Everton shared the spoils as they played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon
Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty early in the second-half secure a point for the Toffees
EVERTON (4-2-3-1):
JORDAN PICKFORD: 6
Shanked clearance on two minutes which he got away with. Kept alert to an Arsenal side who, in periods, enjoyed possession around the box.
JAKE O’BRIEN: 6.5
Got stuck in at the back and used his physicality to try keep the wide men at bay.
JAMES TARKOWSKI: 6.5
Put in a big tackle in the direction of Leandro Trossard on the stroke of half-time which just about put him off from nearly scoring.
JARRAD BRANTHWAITE: 7
Everton’s best defender today. Headed a Declan Rice corner off the line and made a last-ditch tackle on Trossard in the first half.
NATHAN PATTERSON: 6.5
Made a forceful challenge on Ethan Nwaneri early on to show he’s there.
IDRISSA GUEYE: 6.5
Threw himself around the pitch with energy, covering much ground. A real engine for his team.
TIM IROEGBUNAM: 5.5
The game passed him by. Was unable to get a handle on it.
Jordan Pickford kept alert to an Arsenal side who, in periods, enjoyed possession around the box.
Jarrad Branthwaite headed a Declan Rice corner off the line and made a last-ditch tackle on Trossard
JACK HARRISON: 6
Needed better end product when he got chances with the ball. Won crucial penalty for his side after being fouled by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE: 5.5
Lost the ball when in attack multiple times and slowed his team down.
ILIMAN NDIAYE: 6.5
Well-taken penalty to draw Everton level at 1-1. Part of connecting play forward.
BETO: 5.5
Lacked the energy to fully press at times and unable to threaten the Arsenal backline. Everton needed more from him.
Manager – DAVID MOYES: 6.5
Substitutes –
JAMES GARNER: 6
ARMANDO BROJA: 6
ASHLEY YOUNG: N/A
CARLOS ALCARAZ: N/A
DWIGHT MCNEIL: N/A
Ndiaye took well-taken penalty to draw Everton level and was part of connecting play forward
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
DAVID RAYA: 6
Not a lot of danger to deal with at his goal — but that picked up after the Toffees scored. The Spaniard’s distribution down field could have been better.
BEN WHITE: 6
His first league start since undergoing knee surgery in November. Didn’t look fully fit. Made a number of his signature overlaps on the right wing that have been missed.
WILLIAM SALIBA: 6.5
Stepped up to the plate without his usual defensive partner Gabriel. A leader at the back.
JAKUB KIWIOR: 6.5
Some nice passes on the ball and didn’t look exposed — something that has previously happened when getting a chance to play this season.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY: 5.5
Conceded penalty after dragging down Jack Harrison. Was a bit soft. Top run on 63 minutes in which he dribbled past half the opposition team.
Jakub Kiwior made some nice passes on the ball and didn’t look exposed
Myles Lewis-Skelly (right) conceded penalty after dragging down Jack Harrison
MIKEL MERINO: 6.5
Covered many different areas of the pitch. In charge of shoring up the defence when Everton were on the ball. Got stuck into duels.
JORGINHO: 6
Glimmers of class in his passing and composure, though lagged at times.
DECLAN RICE: 7
Worked well in the press. Plenty of crosses, clearances and tackles in the midfield.
ETHAN NWANERI: 6
Didn’t get too many opportunities to drive at the Everton backline and found the physicality challenging.
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 8
Great all-round display. Made himself a nuisance around the area, using tight dribbling skills and good movement. His left-footed finish past Pickford was well-taken. Man of the match.
RAHEEM STERLING: 5.5
Kept trying to drive forward but was constantly thwarted. Hooked at half-time.
Manager – MIKEL ARTETA: 6
Declan Rice worked well in the press. Plenty of crosses, clearances and tackles in the midfield
Trossard made himself a nuisance around the area and opened the scoring
Substitutes –
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6.5
Looked a threat in the final third and put the opposition defenders under pressure. Had a few pops at goal, too.
BUKAYO SAKA: 6
Didn’t get many opportunities on the ball at all.
JURRIEN TIMBER: 6.5
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6
KIERAN TIERNEY: 6
