Everton v Arsenal

FT 90 +4
HT 0-1

By Phil Dawkes BBC Sport

Arsenal moved up to third in the table after claiming their sixth successive Premier League win courtesy of a battling display at Everton.

Thomas Vermaelen headed the only goal of the game from a corner during a period of early Arsenal dominance.

But Everton rallied and were denied an equaliser when Royston Drenthe's finish was wrongly ruled out for offside.

The Toffees had further chances to get something from the game but the Gunners showed great resilience to hold on.

What is clear from this is that early February reports of Arsenal's demise were greatly exaggerated.

VAN PERSIE'S INFLUENCE

Robin van Persie was involved in the 36th goal (either scoring or assisting) this Premier League season. This is 11 more than any other player. Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is second with 25 goals or assists.

Following a 0-0 draw at Bolton seven weeks ago, the Gunners were seventh, 12 points behind third-placed, north London rivals Tottenham, bringing the doom-mongers out in force.

However, their last six games have seen them take 18 points, score 19 goals, rediscover the confident swagger for which they are synonymous under Arsene Wenger and demonstrate a resilience many thought they lacked.

At Goodison Park, the opening 15 minutes were a testimony to the north London side's attacking prowess as the reborn Tomas Rosicky, the supremely prolific Robin van Persie and the recalled Aaron Ramsey all threatened to put the game beyond the home side.

This period should have yielded greater reward than Vermaelen's solitary headed goal from a Van Persie corner.

Everton are a potent force on their own turf, though, as Champions League-chasing trio Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham have all discovered recently, and they stemmed the tide before turning it in their favour for much of the remainder of the game.

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Confidence comes from results - Wenger

That the Toffees got nothing from the match is because of a combination of three factors - their own inefficiency in front of goal, Arsenal's newfound defensive solidity and an erroneous assistant's flag.

The latter came shortly after Vermaelen's goal as Drenthe's finish from inside the box was ruled out for offside, only for replays to show he was two yards behind the last defender at the time of Tim Cahill's pass.

This could have been the platform the home side needed to go and potentially win the game but, instead, they were unable to convert long periods of possession into enough clear-cut chances to hurt the visitors.

Their best chances fell to Marouane Fellaini, who headed across goal and wide, and Drenthe, who fired over from the edge of the area.

Earlier in the season, Arsenal would not have won this game, but a settled back five has given them a new robustness.

It was this that ultimately earned them a three points that sees them move above rivals Spurs - who drew 1-1 at home to Stoke on Wednesday - for the first time since September.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Everton

24 Howard
02 Hibbert
03 Baines
05 Heitinga
15 Distin
10 Drenthe (Anichebe - 78' )
17 Cahill Booked (Stracqualursi - 87' )
21 Osman (Gueye - 78' )
22 Pienaar Booked
25 Fellaini
07 Jelavic

Substitutes

01 Mucha
06 Jagielka
18 Neville
11 Stracqualursi
14 McFadden
19 Gueye
28 Anichebe

Arsenal

13 Szczesny
03 Sagna Booked
05 Vermaelen
06 Koscielny
28 Gibbs
07 Rosicky (Djourou - 87' )
08 Arteta
14 Walcott (Gervinho - 79' )
16 Ramsey
17 Song
10 Van Persie

Substitutes

21 Fabianski
11 Santos
20 Djourou
15 Oxlade-Chamberlain
30 Benayoun
27 Gervinho
29 Chamakh

Ref: Mason

Att: 30,330

Match Stats

Possession 49 51

Shots

7 12

On target

2 8

Corners

4 6

Fouls

11 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:15 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +1:51

Tony Hibbert fouled by Robin van Persie, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Johnny Heitinga.

90:00 +1:17

Denis Stracqualursi is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Wojciech Szczesny takes the indirect free kick.

90:00 +0:12

Nikica Jelavic is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.

87:40

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Leighton Baines played to the near post, Marouane Fellaini challenges Laurent Koscielny unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.

86:21 Substitution

Substitution Johan Djourou replaces Tomas Rosicky.

86:21 Substitution

Substitution Tim Cahill goes off and Denis Stracqualursi comes on.

86:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nikica Jelavic by Laurent Koscielny.

86:21

Sylvain Distin takes the indirect free kick.

86:21 Substitution

Substitution (Arsenal) makes a substitution, with Johan Djourou coming on for Tomas Rosicky.

86:21 Substitution

Substitution (Everton) makes a substitution, with Denis Stracqualursi coming on for Tim Cahill.

86:21

Nikica Jelavic fouled by Laurent Koscielny, the ref awards a .

81:55

Shot from deep inside the area by Robin van Persie clears the bar.

80:32

Victor Anichebe fouled by Mikel Arteta, the ref awards a free kick. A cross is delivered by Steven Pienaar, Header on goal by Victor Anichebe from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

79:07

The official flags Nikica Jelavic offside. Wojciech Szczesny takes the indirect free kick.

78:21 Substitution

Substitution Theo Walcott leaves the field to be replaced by Yao Gervinho.

77:37 Substitution

Substitution Victor Anichebe is brought on as a substitute for Royston Drenthe.

77:37 Substitution

Substitution Magaye Gueye is brought on as a substitute for Leon Osman.