Arsenal fend off a late comeback at Goodison Park
Arsenal toiled to earn three points away to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday 14 November.
Arsene Wenger's team won 2–1 after goals from Bacary Sagna and Cesc Fabregas were enough to claim the victory as Tim Cahill's 89th-minute consolation proved futile.
"We got three important points today, maybe based on great spirit, resilience and togetherness more than style," Wenger told BBC Sport after the game. "But those are very important ingredients in a team
that wants to be successful."
Returning Nasri lively for Arsenal
Samir Nasri, who took Tomas Rosicky's place in the Arsenal team that started against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday 10 November, charged at the Everton defence with 11 minutes gone, but Sylvain Distin's
challenge in the box provided resolute cover for the home team.
After the resulting corner, Everton caught Arsenal on the back foot with a quick counter attack that Cahill failed to finish off after being served an inviting cross by Seamus Coleman from the right flank.
Arsenal's opener came in the 35th minute after Nasri forced a save from Tim Howard from outside the area. Andrey Arshavin picked up the rebound, teeing up Sagna on the right side of the penalty area.
Sagna, who was given far too long on the ball by the Everton defence, took once touch before hitting a high shot into the near corner for his second league goal for Arsenal.
Two minutes after the break, Fabregas combined with Alexandre Song to force an easy by Howard save from Song's return ball.
Only a minute later, the Spaniard got his aim right he exchanged quick passes with Chamakh in the Everton box and hit a half-volley along the ground and into the far corner to double Arsenal's lead.
Everton, who were unbeaten in seven league games going into the game, threatened through Jack Rodwell after the Englishman was teed up by Steven Pienaar in 56th minute, but his first-time finish flew over
the bar.
Showing no signs of fatigue, Nasri skipped past Jagielka on the counter attack with a turn of pace before forcing another save from Howard, who kept Everton alive in the game.
Chamakh misses, Fabianski shines for Arsenal
It should have been three for Arsenal moments later when Fabregas' drilled cross was met by Chamakh who, three yards from the goal, managed to put the ball into the stands.
Everton trio Jermaine Beckford, Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha then forced three strong saves from Lukasz Fabianski, as the Pole produced another stable performance for Wenger's team.
Cahill found the net from Saha's headed pass following an 89th-minute corner, but by then it was too little, too late for David Moyes' team.
The win sees Arsenal advance to second in the table with 26 points from 13 games, two behind leaders Chelsea. Everton, who suffered their first defeat at Goodison Park since 2007, are in 13th place with
15 points.
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