Premier League: Everton 1 Arsenal 1

28 November 2012 23:03

Marouane Fellaini celebrated his return to Everton's side with the equaliser as honours were shared with Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

It had all started so well for the visitors when Theo Walcott put the Gunners ahead with less than a minute on the clock, bending home after an Aaron Ramsey pass.

But Fellaini pounced on one of many sloppy Arsenal passes to drive past Wojciech Szczesny and earn Everton a share of the spoils.

With less a minute on the clock, Walcott collected a Ramsey slide rule pass on the left side of the penalty area, before bending it into the top corner via a slight deflection.

The early goal seemed to settle the home side after their shaky opening and following the withdrawal of Laurent Koscielny to injury, Arsenal retreated further into their own half as the 45 minutes wore on, giving the ball away at will.

And they were eventually punished for their carelessness when Fellaini intercepted a pour pass from Bacary Sagna before sliding a 20-yard shot beyond Szczesny for the equaliser.

Nikica Jelavic should have completed the first-half turnaround after he nipped round Per Mertesacker in the box, but the striker could only blaze a right-footed drive wastefully over.

The Gunners were producing a toothless display, riddled with soft errors and disjointed attacking play, with Everton in stark contrast – and especially Jelavic and Fellaini - looking dangerous in the final third.

And as the half-time whistle drew near, the Croatian bore the brunt of Leighton Baines' frustration when the England left-back burst clear only for Jelavic to nip it off his toes from an offside position.

The second period began in a similar vein, with Steven Naismith only denied by a last-gasp Kieran Gibbs challenge and Sylvain Distin's header well saved by Szczesny as Everton began to turn the screw.

A committed home display was producing everything but a goal although Steven Pienaar was unfortunate to see a vociferous penalty appeal turned down after a clumsy challenge from Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal nearly secured the breakthrough the second half desperately needed but Tim Howard was alert enough to paw behind an innocuous Ramsey through-ball.

Both sides pushed for a winner with substitute Gervinho inches away from converting an Olivier Giroud cross with the goal gaping.

And despite a frantic end to proceedings, both sides had to settle for the draw after an enthralling clash.