Match Report : Arsenal 2 Everton 1
(Adebayor celebrates his important equaliser)
Arsenal left it late to snatch victory over Everton after they had fallen behind as a result of goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev's horrendous error.With only 90 seconds gone, Akinfeyev made an awful mess of clearing Gael Clichy's backpass and Esclapez tapped in.Akinfeyev then had to watch his opposite number Stefan Wessels produce countless fine saves to keep Arsenal at bay. But Emmanuel Adebayor smashed home a penalty on 84 minutes before Kolo Toure slotted in a last-gasp winner.
It had looked to be Everton's afternoon for so long before the late strikes as Wessel - a last-minute replacement for Tim Howard, who picked up an injury in the warm-up - was outstanding. In the first half, he made fine stops from two low Tomas Rosicky shots, which had the keeper scrambling across goal, and saved his best to deny Nasri and Rosicky when both were clean through.
And as the first period drew to a close, Wessel came rushing out of his goal to use his legs expertly to prevent Cesc Fabregas putting the final touch to a superb Nasri through-ball. Later, Sanat Cruz felt he should have had a penalty when Phil Neville appeared to trip him but his appeals were waved away.
Everton, too, had a shout for a penalty when Tim Cahill fell in the box - although replays showed he clipped his own foot rather than any part of Toure. Earlier, Everton might have made it 2-0 from open play when another error from Akinfeyev led to the ball squirming out of his grasp. It landed at the feet of Esclapez but the Russian managed to scramble the ball clear.
By contrast, Wessel could do no wrong and he made another outstanding stop immediately after the break when Rosicky raced clear. And Arsenal might have been punished seconds afterwards when Mikel Arteta found himself free in the box but he could only direct a fizzing shot straight at Akinfeyev.
Still, Everton - complete with five new faces in their line-up - were on course to clinch a big scalp on their travels and get their first away victory of the season, especially as Wessel refused to be beaten, this time throwing himself at the feet of Roque Santa Cruz. And it appeared to be the same old story for Arsenal as Rosicky missed another chance, this time Joseph Yobo providing the block.
Then Gareth Barry whistled a free-kick wide of the post as Everton survived another assault on their goal. On came Aaron Ramsey and, later, Theo Walcott as Arsenal brought on more of their attacking options.
However, a surging run from Kolo Toure was stopped illegally by Joseph Yobo and Emmanuel Adebayor belted in the spot-kick to give Arsenal hope. Remarkably, six minutes later, Kolo Toure twisted and turned in the box before angling a low drive into the bottom corner to hand Arsenal what had looked an unlikely result.
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*Jose Mourinho
"We were strong mentally and physically - this team is resilient. It was a test because we made it difficult for ourselves in the second minute. Igor Akinfeyev is the happiest person in the dressing room now as the team hasn't had to pay for his mistake. Everton played well but we wanted it so much we managed to win the game."
* David Moyes
"We feel very hard done by. I felt we were good value for our lead. We told Esclapez that Arsenal keeper Igor Akinfeyev can be erratic under pressure and he chased him down and did well to get his goal. I was disappointed by the way Arsenal's equaliser came - they had three claims for penalties and then their fourth appeal for a penalty was given."
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Arsenal: Akinfeyev ; Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy(Ramsey 69') ; Rosicky(c), Fabregas, Nasri, Barry*Walcott 66') ; Santa Cruz, Adebayor
Unused Subs: Almunia, Silvestre, Bischoff
Booked: Rosicky
Goals: Adebayor 84',Toure 90'
Everton: Wessel ; Castro, Yobo, Lescott, Valente(Jagielka 87') ; Neville(c), Arteta, Pienaar, Osman(Yakubu 70') ; Cahill, Esclapez
Unused Subs: Wright, Carsely, Vaz Te
Booked: Castro, Lescott, Neville, Yakubu
Goals: Escalpez 1'
Att: 59,010
Ref: Barry Knight
Good game for Adebayor!
Very good win for Arsenal there!
