Everton hit for six as clinical Arsenal go top
Everton hit for six as clinical Arsenal go top
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Saturday, 15, Aug 2009 08:31
By Lewis Bazley.
Arsenal are top of the Premier League table after thumping Everton 6-1 at Goodison Park on the first day of the 2009/10 season.
Goals from Denilson, Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Eduardo and a brace from Cesc Fabregas saw the Gunners sweep aside a sorry Everton who succumbed to their second worst-ever home defeat.
Louis Saha grabbed an injury time consolation for Everton but the damage had already been done as Arsene Wenger's side proved they are not to be underestimated this year.
Everton's preparations for the game had been hampered by Manchester City's continued pursuit of Joleon Lescott and the Goodison side never looked in contention, with Arsenal racing to a 3-0 half-time lead.
Denilson opened the scoring in the 26th minute, bending a 25-yard strike past the despairing Howard before Marouane Fellaini had a header cleared off the line.
The Belgian's attempt was the nearest the Toffees came to contesting, with Arsenal central defender Vermaelen doubling their lead on 37 minutes, with a well-taken debut header having been left unmarked from a Robin Van Persie free kick.
Everton failed to learn from their defensive mistakes and Gallas made it three on 40 minutes with a free header from a Fabregas set-piece.
Arsenal skipper Fabregas put the visitors four up in the 49th minute, with a fine finish after an archetypal Gunners break and claimed his second 20 minutes later.
The Spaniard drove from the halfway line and with Everton players committed up-field, strode unchallenged to the penalty box before striking a low drive past Howard.
Fabregas then offered a touching tribute to the later Dani Jarque, after the former Espanyol captain died of a heart attack at only 26 this week.
Substitute Eduardo was on hand to tap in a sixth after Andrey Arshavin struck the woodwork before Saha grabbed the most meaningless goal of his career in the 93rd minute, stroking the ball into an empty net after Manuel Almunia had parried.