Everton Hold Arsenal To 1-1 Draw, Help Liverpool In Title Race

By: Gyang Dakwo

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes took a hit after a 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday. The result gives Liverpool a big boost in the title race.

Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal the lead in the 34th minute after Raheem Sterling set him up with a smart pass. But Everton hit back early in the second half when Iliman Ndiaye scored from the penalty spot. The spot-kick was awarded after Jack Harrison was brought down by Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arsenal stay second in the table with 62 points from 31 games, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand and play Fulham on Sunday.

“It’s a tough one,” Trossard said after the match. “We started the second half poorly and didn’t play our game.”

The draw moves Everton to 14th place with 35 points, 15 points comfortably clear of the relegation zone. The match was also one of the final games at Goodison Park, with Everton set to move to a new stadium next season.

Before kickoff, there was a warm moment as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta greeted his former boss David Moyes, who brought him to Everton years ago and helped shape his football career.

Though the match was scrappy and low on clear chances, Arsenal will feel they missed an opportunity to stay closer to Liverpool in the title race.