David Moyes ‘devastated’ by Raheem Sterling in Everton v Arsenal
Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard left David Moyes with his “head in his hands“ as Everton faced Arsenal at Goodison Park.
The Toffees headed into the match off the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, though many fans believe James Tarkowski deserved to be sent off for Everton.
Before that, Moyes’ side were unbeaten in their last nine league matches, and despite five of those being draws, the players had lifted themselves away from the dreaded relegation zone.
If getting back to winning ways was on the agenda at Goodison Park on Saturday, 5 April, though, the Blues were handed a difficult start when giving away the opening goal against the Gunners.
Despite attacking at the opposite end, a quick counterattack from Mikel Arteta‘s side saw the Toffees punished by a combination of Sterling and Trossard, with Michael Dawson spotting Moyes distraught on the sidelines.
David Moyes and Everton easily punished by Arsenal
Speaking live via Sky Sports Soccer Saturday [5 April, 1:12pm], Dawson said: “Everton will be devastated by the way they give this goal away. David Moyes has his head in his hands.
“They’re on the attack, whipping the ball in but it’s headed away by Saliba. It comes halfway through the Arsenal half when Idrissa Gueye heads it, misjudges it and flicks it on towards his own goal.
“Raheem Sterling breaks away, does brilliantly with the right weight of pass, gives it to Trossard down the left. Jake O’Brien looks like he’s got him where he wants him, but he just drills it through O’Brien’s legs into the bottom corner, and [Jordan] Pickford has no chance.”
| Everton | Arsenal |
| 34% possession | 66% possession |
| 3 shots | 6 shots |
| 1 big chance created | 1 big chance created |
| 0 offsides | 1 offside(s) |
| 2 corners | 4 corners |
David Moyes can beginning planning ahead of 2025/26 campaign
Football Insider verdict
Iliman Ndiaye was able to net an equaliser from the penalty spot, but it could have been a far better result had the Toffees not been so open during the first half.
With the threat of relegation dissipating quite quickly since Moyes’ arrival at Goodison Park, there is little else left for the Toffees to fight for, other than pride and their spot in the team ahead of next season.
Moyes has refused to relax until Everton are mathematically safe in the division, which fans are absolutely loving about him, but the staff around him will already be planning ahead of next season.
The Friedkin Group have offered a newfound hope for the Toffees, with many fans expecting a squad overhaul in the summer, but it is likely to be a slow change in line with PSR restrictions.
Nonetheless, the rumour mill has started to spin, with Football Insider understanding that a move for Liverpool’s Ben Doak could be on the cards for Everton, but there are complications.
That will just be one of many, many transfer links to emerge during the summer transfer market, which is exactly why Moyes’ staff will be scheming, and supporters are getting very excited already.