Gyokeres ends goal drought to fire Arsenal back above Man City

Arsenal preserved their place at the top of the Premier League table with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, showing resolve and composure in a match that demanded patience rather than flair.

The Gunners kicked off under pressure after Manchester City had briefly moved above them earlier in the day, but Mikel Arteta’s side responded with a performance built on discipline and control rather than attacking fluency.

The opening stages were cagey, with Everton energetic and combative, while Arsenal took time to settle and struggled to impose their usual rhythm in possession.

Clear chances were scarce in a first half that lacked quality in the final third, although Arsenal gradually began to assert themselves through Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi in midfield.

The decisive moment arrived in the 27th minute when Everton defender Jake O’Brien handled a corner inside the penalty area under pressure, an offence confirmed after a VAR review.

Viktor Gyökeres made no mistake from the spot, smashing a powerful penalty beyond Jordan Pickford despite the goalkeeper diving the right way.

That goal allowed Arsenal to play with slightly more control, though they were unable to build sustained attacking momentum before the interval.

Everton showed greater intent after the restart, pushing higher up the pitch and attempting to force Arsenal into mistakes, but it was the visitors who created the clearer chances.

Bukayo Saka went agonisingly close after a sharp exchange with Jurriën Timber, only for James Tarkowski to produce a crucial goal-line block.

Moments later, Leandro Trossard curled an effort against the far post after Pickford had been beaten, before Zubimendi struck the base of the same post from Martin Ødegaard’s cut-back.

Those missed chances kept Everton in the contest and ensured a tense closing spell, with the hosts appealing unsuccessfully for penalties as they searched for an equaliser.

Arsenal, however, defended with increasing assurance, with Saliba and Piero Hincapie standing firm and David Raya largely untroubled despite the pressure.

The final stages tested Arsenal’s concentration rather than their goalkeeper, as they managed the game intelligently and limited Everton to speculative efforts.

When the final whistle arrived, it confirmed a narrow but valuable victory that reflected Arsenal’s growing maturity in tight away fixtures.

It was not a performance that dazzled, but it was one that delivered, and in a title race defined by fine margins, Arsenal once again showed they can take their chance and protect it.

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