Toby Wilding

Sat 5 April 2025 14:35, UK

Everton played out a 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Goodison Park to further cement their Premier League status for next season on Saturday afternoon.

The Toffees went into the game looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday (2 April) that ended their nine-game unbeaten run in the league.

However, they would fall behind ten minutes before the break on 5 April, when Leandro Trossard fired the visitors in front from just inside the area.

That gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead at half time, but David Moyes‘ side would hit back shortly after the break from the penalty spot.

After Myles Lewis-Skelly brought down Jack Harrison just inside the area, Iliman Ndiaye converted from the resulting penalty to pull Everton level.

With neither side then able to find a winner, that was enough to ensure both sides left with a point after a 1-1 draw, which moves the Toffees 15 points clear of the relegation zone.

Here is how Football Insider rated the performances of the Everton squad during that clash with Arsenal.

Jordan Pickford – 6

Pickford avoided sanction for a clash with Darwin Nunez in the Merseyside derby so kept his place here, where he did make some decent saves.

Everton defence frustrates for Arsenal opener

Jake O’Brien – 4

Hit the post from a good opening inside the area, picked up a foolish booking and stood too far off Trossard for the opening goal, not a great afternoon.

James Tarkowski – 6

After Tarkowski was lucky not to be sent off against Liverpool, the centre-back picked up another booking here after bringing an end to a mazy Lewis-Skelly run, but was otherwise solid.

Jarrad Branthwaite – 5

Everton are workng to secure a new contract for Branthwaite, but he will be disappointed with his miscommunication with Gueye that gifted Arsenal possession for the opening goal.

Nathan Patterson – (off for Young, ’75) – 6

Back in the starting XI after a long absence and after a tricky start appeared to settle into the game as it went on.

Idrissa Gana Gueye – 6

Also involved in the mix-up which led to the Arsenal opener, but otherwise put in his usual shift in the middle of the pitch.

Tim Iroegbunam (off for Garner, ’65) – 6

Handed a long-awaited start by Moyes here, and did a solid job in the centre of the park for his side.

Iliman Ndiaye makes a welcome return in attack

Jack Harrison – (off for McNeil, ’87) – 5

Managed to draw a penalty from Lewis-Skelly, but otherwise this was another game where his threat in front of goal was limited for a winger.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6

Offered an outlet off the main centre-forward for Everton as he often has thoughout the course of this season.

Iliman Ndiaye – (off for Alcaraz, ’75) – 8 – Player of the Match

Ndiaye has been working to return from injury for Everton, and was restored to the starting lineup against the Gunners, where he took his penalty really well to get his side back into the game and worked relentlessly on and off the ball.

Beto (off for Broja – ’65) – 5

After his excellent run immediately after Moyes’ return, this is another game without a goal for Beto, and unlike against Liverpool, he didn’t really ever look like scoring.

Substitutes

James Garner (on for Iroegbunam, ’65) – 6

Sent in some dangerous deliveries after his introduction.

Armando Broja (on for Beto, ’65) – 5

Also struggled to get the service while leading the line after replacing his fellow centre-forward.

Carlos Alcaraz (on for Ndiaye, ’75) – 5

Picked up a booking an wasn’t as influential as he has sometimes been since his arrival.

Ashley Young (on for Patterson, ’75) – 6

Rarely tested after being brought on at left-back.

Dwight McNeil (on for Harrison, ’87) – 6

A welcome sight for Everton to have the winger back for the final moments here after his long spell out with injury.