Internet Desk: In a fight for the English Premier League, Arsenal missed a good chance to remain in the lead of leaders Chelsea on Tuesday as they took a painful 2-1 win at Everton away from home. Playing in the Goodison Park stadium, the London side went ahead, but gave up the tie in the first half and took the turn in the 40 minutes of the second half, opening the 16th round of the competition.
With the result, the vice-leader Arsenal parked in the 34 points and made room for Chelsea to shoot the edge. London rivals 37 and could reach 40 by beating Sunderland away from home on Wednesday. The stumble against Everton also favors Liverpool. The third-placed will be able to reach the Arsenal score if they surpass Middlesbrough, also far from their dominions.
Even playing in the opponent’s home, Arsenal controlled the actions early in the match and showed more offensive power. He was up 60 percent and was in danger with Alexis Sánchez and Walcott. The goal ended with 19 minutes, in the free kick of the Chilean. The ball deviated in the barrier and cheated goalkeeper Stekelenburg.
The draw came before the break. In the 44th minute, Baines crossed from the left in the area and Coleman emerged among the defenders in the small area to head unmarked for the networks. Equality on the scoreboard left the match warmer, with tougher entries on both sides of the field. At the exit of the pitch, players were surprised and shoves were spotted by the TV cameras.
The second stage won in rhythm and more offensive bids on both sides. Sánchez and Özil threatened for the Arsenal and Lukaku and Barkley were the highlights of Everton. Lukaku were the ones who gave more work to the Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista, at Arsenal. By the visitors, Chamberlain entered the field. And Everton made debut the young Calvert-Lewin, of only 19 years, in the championship.
The changes made the game faster and goalkeeper Petr Cech started to work harder. In the 40, made a great defense at close range in Everton attack. A few seconds later, however, could not stop the goal of Ashley Williams after a corner kick.
In the final moments, Arsenal rushed to the attack and almost sought new equality on the scoreboard. At 48, with even goalkeeper Cech in the Everton area, visitors tried twice and saw behind the host team take the ball over the line. On the counterattack, Everton almost scored the third, as Cech ran back to his goal. Before the final whistle, Phil Jagielka took the red card and left the home side with one less on the field in the closing seconds of the exciting match.
In another match that opens the 16th round, Bournemouth overcame Leicester City 1-0 at home. Marc Pugh scored the only goal of the match in the 34th minute of the first half. With the triumph, the host team jumped from 12th to the provisional 8th place in the English table with 21 points. Leicester, the defending champion, is now 16, in 14th place.