Everton 0-1 Arsenal: Report as Gunners return to top of Premier League

Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League as they won 1-0 at Everton.

The Gunners had been displaced at the summit by Manchester City, 3-0 winners over West Ham earlier on Saturday, and were not at their best at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium as they attempted to respond in kind.

But they were handed a gift when Jake O’Brien inexplicably handled in the penalty area while trying to defend an Arsenal corner.

Sam Barrott pointed to the spot after being advised to consult the pitchside monitor for a VAR review, and Gyokeres made no mistake from 12 yards, scoring his first goal since November 1.

Arsenal dominated against an Everton side missing several key players, and their inability to find a second goal did not prevent Mikel Arteta from being able to celebrate six years in charge with a win.

His side are two points clear of City, but more convincing performances will be needed if they are to hold off Pep Guardiola’s men and surprise package Aston Villa.

O’Brien pays the penalty

Arsenal had done little to turn their control of possession into goalscoring opportunities in the early stages, but O’Brien’s bizarre decision-making in his own penalty area teed up Gyokeres to give them the lead in the 27th minute.

O’Brien jumped with both hands above his head, leaving referee Barrott with no choice but to point to the spot after getting a look at the replay.

Jordan Pickford went the right way but Gyokeres’ shot had far too much power as he ended a run of four games without finding the net, the Swede clinical from 12 yards in another game in which he otherwise flattered to deceive.

Arsenal do it without much style

Arsenal’s cutting edge in the final third was conspicuous by his absence as they struggled to build on their opener.

Bukayo Saka had a goal-bound effort blocked and Leandro Trossard struck the post, but the second half was a dour spectacle, one most notable for a series of Everton penalty appeals waved away by Barrott as David Moyes’ workmanlike frontline made matters uncomfortable for Arsenal’s backline.

Yet at no point did Arsenal’s lead feel under serious threat, with six minutes of stoppage time negotiated with a minimum of stress.

Arsenal still have limited breathing room at the top, but they have little time to think about that. An EFL Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace on Tuesday looms, decreasing their period of recuperation before next weekend’s clash with Brighton and Hove Albion.

“We just know we focus on our job this week, after last week we focus on coming here and winning,” Saka told Sky Sports afterwards.

“We did that today. We’re back on top of the table but we’re not watching City too much, or the other teams. We’re in control now. We know if we win every week we’ll stay there.”