Theo Walcott once again emphasised his worth to Arsenal with the goal that earned them a point at Goodison Park.

Walcott - out of contract at the end of the season and with speculation surrounding his Arsenal future - came back from a shoulder injury to give the Gunners the lead after only 51 seconds.

Analysis

Image of Steve Wilson Steve Wilson BBC Match of the Day commentator

"It was a tremendous game and I think both managers will have enjoyed it hugely. David Moyes will probably be the most disappointed. From the first minute to the 90th minute it was end-to-end. It was a magnificently meaty game."

Marouane Fellaini marked his return from a one-match ban by scoring his seventh goal of the season with a fine finish before half-time but both sides had to settle for a point that did not satisfy either of their purposes.

Everton's bright start to the season has now stalled with six draws in their last eight Premier League games while Arsenal picked up their second point on the road in four days following Saturday's goalless draw at Aston Villa.

Walcott was on target inside a minute when he exchanged passes with Aaron Ramsey and curled a finish high past Everton keeper Tim Howard with the help of a deflection.

David Moyes feels Everton 'deserved victory' against Arsenal

Arsenal's bright start suffered an early blow when Laurent Koscielny pulled up with what looked like a muscle injury and was replaced by Kieran Gibbs.

Everton were rocked back but were able to build momentum as the half progressed, with Fellaini inevitably the inspiration behind most of their best work.

The giant Belgian had a downward header saved by keeper Wojciech Szczesny before Everton pressurised Arsenal into a mistake and were rewarded with the equaliser after 28 minutes.

Steven Pienaar, another lively first-half figure, forced Bacary Sagna into conceding possession, allowing Fellaini to pick the ball up 20 yards out and sweep a low left-foot shot past Szczesny.

Quickfire Gunners

Theo Walcott's early opener against Everton was the 100th goal scored inside the first minute in Premier League history.

Everton ended the half on top as Nikica Jelavic turned superbly inside the area only to shoot over. The Croatian then brought an end to another dangerous attack when he unwisely interrupted a surging run from Leighton Baines by taking possession in what was clearly an offside position.

The second half produced more sparring than moments of genuine quality, although Szczesny reacted superbly to turn away Sylvain Distin's header from a Baines cross and Howard needed to react to block a snap shot from Santi Cazorla.

Everton draw 'was fair' - Arsene Wenger

Everton also had very presentable penalty claims ignored by referee Michael Oliver when Mikel Arteta appeared to drag Pienaar back as he advanced into the area, much to Goodison Park's obvious disgust.

Jelavic had suffered a frustrating evening but did provide two superb crosses only to see no team-mate on the end of his inviting deliveries.

Substitute Gervinho failed to get a touch on the end of Olivier Giroud's cross - but there was to be no winner of a largely undistinguished affair.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Everton

  • 24 Howard
  • 02 Hibbert
  • 03 Baines
  • 06 Jagielka
  • 15 Distin
  • 04 Gibson Booked (Hitzlsperger - 73' )
  • 21 Osman
  • 22 Pienaar
  • 25 Fellaini
  • 07 Jelavic
  • 14 Naismith (Oviedo - 62' Booked )

Substitutes

  • 01 Mucha
  • 05 Heitinga
  • 08 Oviedo
  • 16 Hitzlsperger
  • 20 Barkley
  • 19 Gueye
  • 27 Vellios

Arsenal

  • 01 Szczesny
  • 03 Sagna
  • 04 Mertesacker
  • 05 Vermaelen
  • 06 Koscielny (Gibbs - 4' Booked )
  • 08 Arteta
  • 10 Wilshere
  • 14 Walcott
  • 16 Ramsey (Gervinho - 80' )
  • 19 Cazorla (Coquelin - 90' )
  • 12 Giroud

Substitutes

  • 24 Mannone
  • 25 Jenkinson
  • 28 Gibbs
  • 07 Rosicky
  • 15 Oxlade-Chamberlain
  • 22 Coquelin
  • 27 Gervinho
Ref: Oliver
Att: 37,141

Match Stats

Shots

14 12

On target

10 9

Corners

6 6

Fouls

15 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:39 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +1:39

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Theo Walcott.

90:00 +0:24 Substitution

Substitution (Arsenal) makes a substitution, with Francis Coquelin coming on for Santi Cazorla.

88:37

The offside flag is raised against Nikica Jelavic. Wojciech Szczesny takes the indirect free kick.

88:20

Nikica Jelavic produces a cross.

85:37

Thomas Hitzlsperger has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the target.

84:23

Theo Walcott takes a shot. Blocked by Sylvain Distin.

83:44

The ball is sent over by Tony Hibbert, Thomas Vermaelen manages to make a clearance.

81:15

Olivier Giroud gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Bryan Oviedo. Phil Jagielka takes the free kick.

80:03

Leighton Baines takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Olivier Giroud manages to make a clearance.

79:24 Substitution

Substitution Yao Gervinho replaces Aaron Ramsey.

77:43

Free kick awarded for a foul by Thomas Vermaelen on Marouane Fellaini. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Nikica Jelavic, Wojciech Szczesny makes a save.

76:20

Aaron Ramsey takes a shot. Blocked by Phil Jagielka. Marouane Fellaini fouled by Mikel Arteta, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Tim Howard.

76:20

Aaron Ramsey takes a shot. Phil Jagielka gets a block in. Mikel Arteta gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marouane Fellaini. Tim Howard takes the direct free kick.

75:14

Thomas Hitzlsperger takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.

74:24

Santi Cazorla takes a shot. Brilliant save by Tim Howard.

72:20 Substitution

Substitution Thomas Hitzlsperger joins the action as a substitute, replacing Darron Gibson.

72:20

Shot from a long way out by Aaron Ramsey goes wide of the left-hand post.

71:24

Jack Wilshere fouled by Nikica Jelavic, the ref awards a free kick. Santi Cazorla restarts play with the free kick.

70:25

Theo Walcott takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Nikica Jelavic. Corner taken by Theo Walcott, save by Tim Howard.

69:31

Santi Cazorla takes the direct free kick.

69:31 Booking

Booking Bryan Oviedo goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

69:26

Bryan Oviedo concedes a free kick for a foul on Theo Walcott.

68:08

Free kick awarded for a foul by Olivier Giroud on Steven Pienaar. Free kick taken by Leon Osman.

67:28

Headed effort from inside the area by Olivier Giroud misses to the right of the goal.

66:50

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Santi Cazorla by Steven Pienaar. Mikel Arteta restarts play with the free kick.

64:31

Marouane Fellaini challenges Per Mertesacker unfairly and gives away a free kick. Wojciech Szczesny takes the free kick.

62:57

Outswinging corner taken by Leighton Baines.

61:21 Substitution

Substitution Steven Naismith leaves the field to be replaced by Bryan Oviedo.

60:53

Marouane Fellaini takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.

60:30

Marouane Fellaini concedes a free kick for a foul on Per Mertesacker. Wojciech Szczesny restarts play with the free kick.

60:01

Steven Pienaar delivers the ball, save made by Wojciech Szczesny.

59:35

Aaron Ramsey takes a shot. Blocked by Sylvain Distin.

57:00

Sylvain Distin takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.

56:27

Steven Pienaar takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny. Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Leighton Baines from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Bacary Sagna.

55:22

Marouane Fellaini is ruled offside. Mikel Arteta restarts play with the free kick.

52:32

Santi Cazorla takes a shot. Leon Osman gets a block in.

51:41

The ball is crossed by Nikica Jelavic, Kieran Gibbs makes a clearance.

46:35

Olivier Giroud takes a shot. Per Mertesacker gets a block in.

50:22

A cross is delivered by Nikica Jelavic, Thomas Vermaelen manages to make a clearance.

49:50

Nikica Jelavic is caught offside. Thomas Vermaelen restarts play with the free kick.

47:39

Steven Pienaar has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target.

46:35

Olivier Giroud takes a shot.

45:47

Theo Walcott takes a shot. Blocked by Darron Gibson.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +3:03 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +1:29

Corner taken by Theo Walcott from the right by-line to the near post, Phil Jagielka manages to make a clearance.

44:47

Santi Cazorla has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide left of the goal.

44:27

Kieran Gibbs produces a cross, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.

42:31

The referee blows for offside against Nikica Jelavic. Mikel Arteta takes the free kick.

41:24

The assistant referee flags for offside against Nikica Jelavic. Santi Cazorla restarts play with the free kick.

40:31

Unfair challenge on Santi Cazorla by Marouane Fellaini results in a free kick. Mikel Arteta takes the direct free kick.

39:47

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Pienaar on Santi Cazorla. Per Mertesacker takes the free kick.

38:53

Nikica Jelavic produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

37:33

Darron Gibson takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Kieran Gibbs.

36:54

Centre by Bacary Sagna, Phil Jagielka makes a clearance. Kieran Gibbs sends in a cross, clearance made by Leighton Baines.

36:09

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jack Wilshere by Darron Gibson. Direct free kick taken by Jack Wilshere.

35:26

Per Mertesacker fouled by Nikica Jelavic, the ref awards a free kick. Per Mertesacker restarts play with the free kick.

34:38

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mikel Arteta on Marouane Fellaini. Phil Jagielka takes the free kick.

33:05

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Theo Walcott played to the near post, Phil Jagielka makes a clearance.

31:09

Theo Walcott takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Phil Jagielka.

28:51

Free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.

28:51 Booking

Booking The referee shows Darron Gibson a yellow card.

28:40

Free kick awarded for a foul by Darron Gibson on Theo Walcott.

27:02 Goal scored

Goal - Marouane Fellaini - Everton 1 - 1 Arsenal Marouane Fellaini gets on the score sheet with a goal from outside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Everton 1-1 Arsenal.

23:43

Leon Osman gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Bacary Sagna. Strike comes in from Thomas Vermaelen from the free kick, save by Tim Howard.

22:39

Corner taken by Leighton Baines from the left by-line to the near post, Kieran Gibbs makes a clearance.

21:58

The ball is crossed by Olivier Giroud.

20:40

Steven Pienaar challenges Bacary Sagna unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Bacary Sagna.

19:52

Phil Jagielka restarts play with the free kick.

19:52 Booking

Booking Booking for Kieran Gibbs for unsporting behaviour.

19:46

Kieran Gibbs concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Naismith.

18:53

Unfair challenge on Mikel Arteta by Marouane Fellaini results in a free kick. Mikel Arteta restarts play with the free kick.

18:00

Steven Pienaar has an effort at goal.

10:35

Effort on goal by Steven Pienaar from 18 yards. Thomas Vermaelen gets a block in.

16:50

Darron Gibson takes a shot. Comfortable save by Wojciech Szczesny.

15:35

Outswinging corner taken by Leighton Baines from the left by-line, Marouane Fellaini takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.

13:14

Sylvain Distin challenges Per Mertesacker unfairly and gives away a free kick. Wojciech Szczesny takes the free kick.

12:08

Unfair challenge on Leon Osman by Mikel Arteta results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Leighton Baines from left channel, clearance made by Per Mertesacker.

11:22

Phil Jagielka fouled by Olivier Giroud, the ref awards a free kick. Tim Howard restarts play with the free kick.

10:39

Shot by Steven Pienaar. Thomas Vermaelen gets a block in.

10:38

Marouane Fellaini takes a shot. Wojciech Szczesny makes a save.

8:24

Kieran Gibbs delivers the ball, clearance by Sylvain Distin.

7:47

Unfair challenge on Bacary Sagna by Nikica Jelavic results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Bacary Sagna.

7:07

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nikica Jelavic by Mikel Arteta. Leon Osman takes the direct free kick.

6:23

The ball is swung over by Leighton Baines, save made by Wojciech Szczesny.

5:36

Marouane Fellaini is caught offside. Per Mertesacker takes the free kick.

3:07 Substitution

Substitution Laurent Koscielny goes off and Kieran Gibbs comes on.

0:51

Assist on the goal came from Aaron Ramsey.

0:51 Goal scored

Goal - Theo Walcott - Everton 0 - 1 Arsenal Goal scored by Theo Walcott from deep inside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Everton 0-1 Arsenal.

0:00

The match begins.

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