By Daily sports on December 20, 2020

Everton ensured manager Carlo Ancelotti celebrated the first anniversary of his appointment with victory over Arsenal that moved them into second place in the Premier League to increase counterpart Mikel Arteta’s woes.

Ancelotti’s side have now beaten Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal in the space of seven days and while there were some anxious moments in the second half, this was a deserved win.

Everton took the lead after 22 minutes when Rob Holding deflected Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s flick past Bernd Leno, but Arsenal were level 10 minutes before the break when Nicolas Pepe scored from the spot after Tom Davies fouled Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The Gunners barely deserved to be level and Everton were ahead again on the stroke of half-time when Yerry Mina headed in at the near post from a corner.

Arsenal improved after the break, David Luiz seeing a shot deflected on to the post, but Everton also had opportunities and this loss leaves Arteta’s struggling side 15th as he has no cause to celebrate his own first anniversary in a few days’ time.

It was almost a year ago to the day since Ancelotti few into Merseyside from Italy to confirm his appointment at Everton before sitting and watching a thoroughly shocking goalless draw with Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Arteta, the newly appointed manager of Arsenal, sat a few seats away to watch his own new team and supposedly usher in a new era of optimism.

Ancelotti can survey the Premier League table with greater satisfaction than Arteta after a superb week in what was earmarked as a crucial month and Everton's manager took huge acclaim from supporters gathered in the Gwladys Street after the final whistle.

Everton had to dig deep here but they did and merited their win despite surviving some close shaves near the end.

Calvert-Lewin delivered another magnificent display but it was two of Ancelotti's signings that really caught the eye, namely Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ben Godfrey.

Doucoure was outstanding but it was 22-year-old Godfrey, the England under-21 defender signed for £25m from Norwich City, who was arguably the game's outstanding player.

Godfrey is playing in an unfamiliar left-back role but gave a superb performance, thunderous in the tackle and showing an astonishing turn of speed to lead a second half counter-attack.

Everton have now had an outstanding week with three wins after a sticky spell following their bright start. (BBC)

•PHOTO: Everton players 

Source Daily sports

Posted December 20, 2020

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