Everton v Arsenal: half time report
Everton 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal currently lead Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park thanks to a rare goal from full-back Bacary Sagna.
The France international struck 10 minutes before the end of the first half to give the visitors a one goal advantage.
David Moyes' men had a point to prove after the previous meeting between the two clubs on Merseyside. Arsenal outclassed their opponents last season, but it hasn't all been one-way traffic this afternoon.
The hosts started well and should have taken the lead in the 10th minute after Tim Cahill found himself free in the Gunners' penalty area. Seamus Coleman burst down the right wing, away from Cesc Febregas, and chipped a perfectly-weighted pass to the Australian, but the midfielder's header went uncharacteristically astray.
Five minutes after that scare, Andrey Arshavin came close to breaking the deadlock in spectacular fashion after hitting a half-volley from 25 yards. The Russian international, who looked lively throughout the first 45 minutes, saw his rasping effort swerve narrowly wide of Tim Howard's far post.
Arsene Wenger's side began to feel their way into the match after a relatively slow start and threatened again minutes later, this time through Jack Wilshere. The England international had his shot blocked well by Phil Jagielka following an impressive team move involving Fabregas, Marouane Chamakh and Samir Nasri.
Everton were in danger of allowing the visitors too much possession, but were sparked into life again on the 25th minute after Louis Saha hit a curling effort from outside the area. Although it never troubled Lukasz Fabianski, it was enough for the home crowd to rediscover their voices.
But with 10 minutes of the half remaining, Arsenal took the lead through an unlikely source.
After Nasri had struck from range, Howard could only parry. Arshavin picked the ball up near the byline and knocked the ball to Sagna, who was left wide open inside the penalty area. The French defender unleashed a fierce strike which flew past Howard at his near post for only his second goal since arriving at the Emirates Stadium in 2007.
The hosts refused to let their heads bow and ended the first half on top, almost netting a crucial equaliser after Saha hit the post with a header.
But the score remains 1-0, leaving Everton with a difficult task to keep their seven-match unbeaten record intact.
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