Everton 1 – Arsenal 4
4 comments August 16th, 2004
Arsenal rampaged to a 4-1 win over Everton today, sending a message to title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, who played out a dull 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Arsenal line-up contained one change from Cardiff: Freddie Ljungberg regained his place ahead of Jermaine Pennant. This meant that Cesc Fabregas became our youngest ever Premiership debutant. Having received international clearance, Matthieu Flamini made the bench, and would later replace Gilberto to make his debut.
23 minutes into the game, and Everton had a corner, and a rare opportunity to put Arsenal under pressure. Toure, however, headed away to Reyes, who played a quick one-two with the alert Bergkamp before exchanging clever passes with Thierry Henry. Jose then charged on into the Everton half, as their three defenders backed off. Eventually, Stubbs put in a brilliant tackle on the edge of the area, but unfortunately for the former-Celtic man, the ball broke to Henry. The Frenchman released the arriving Dennis Bergkamp, who took a touch before blasting the ball beyond Nigel Martyn and into the back of the net.
Arsenal began to really get a grip on the game at this point, and in the 39th minute, they doubled their lead. A cross from Lauren had just missed Jose Reyes, but with little defensive pressure applied, Ljungberg was able to retrieve the ball and cross it back into the area. With the defence flat-footed, Reyes was able to get across to the near post and powerfully nod the ball into the corner of the net. 2 nil.
After half-time, Ljungbergâ??s goal effectively killed the game off. An attempted clearance by Yobo was headed straight back by the impressive Fabregas. Bergkamp picked the ball up and found Henry, whose ball across the box was stabbed home by the Swedish midfielder.
Everton gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a lovely goal courtesy of the fantastically shit Lee Carsley, but this only served to force Arsenal to step up a gear once more.
And step up a gear they did, restoring their three goal advantage through substitute Robert Pires, who prodded home after Ashley Coleâ??s follow-up to a Thierry Henry shot crashed off the bar.
Player by Player:
Jens Lehmann
Relatively untroubled. Probably couldâ??ve done better on the goal, but beyond that, nothing really stood out.
6/10
Lauren
Was very good going forward and providing width when Freddie roamed, but was caught a couple of times for pace by players who arenâ??t actually that quick. Seems to have lost his sprint a bit, but still has great technique and awareness.
6
Kolo Toure
Very solid. Made a couple of crucial blocks and clearances, and is undoubtedly now one of the better centre-backs in the division.
7
Pascal Cygan
Gave away a lot of free-kicks, and Everton had decent arguments for two penalty appeals by his hand. I thought he was weak, but others have disagreed. Whatever, itâ??s my site.
5
Ashley Cole
Very solid defensively. Didnâ??t get to show off his full array of attacking talents, because the man in front of him, Jose Reyes, spent so much time going forward. Still, he matures as a defender with every game.
7
Freddie Ljungberg
One of his best games for a long-time. He was, like in the pre-season game against Ajax, very busy, and one of our better players. Scored a typical Freddie goal and created one for Jose Antonio. Was replaced by Jermaine Pennant, who looked bright enough on the counter.
9
Gilberto
Was his usual tidy self. His game was probably hindered by the fact that he spent most of the match getting kicked to pieces by the Everton midfield, and eventually had to limp off for Flamini, who continued his run of Gilles Grimandi impressions with aplomb.
7
Cesc Fabregas
This kid makes me (and Arsene) rave. Heâ??s so neat. He can tackle, he can pass, he can dribble, and he can shoot. In a post-match interview with Sky, Arsene said heâ??s already ahead of a 27-year-old midfield player in the pecking order. Donâ??t know who he meant by that, but it can only be good news for the youngster.
8
Jose Reyes
Was again superb. Ran Everton ragged. Heâ??s still a â??rough diamondâ?Â. Heâ??s not perfect. And he still loses the ball quite a lot. However, his pace and panache make him such a threat. I genuinely believe that Pires will have difficulty in reclaiming his spot. Having Reyes, Bergkamp, and Henry all playing together is like Christmas every Saturday. Was replaced by Bobby, who did well, and notched a goal.
9
Dennis Bergkamp
Pulled the strings like only he can. With Reyes providing genuine width, Den found himself in a load of space which he used to drop off and pick some quite brilliant passes out. It looks like heâ??s going to have another great year.
9
Thierry Henry
Didnâ??t have his best game, but was still a threat, and set up two of the goals. Should have scored himself, but over did it when one-on-one with the last man. More to come.
7
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Well, Iâ??m off to Scotland on the ‘morrow. Enjoy yourselves â?? the next update will probably be on the 1st September.
Till then.
