Match Reaction vs Everton

[Marc Overmars]

Always disappointing to concede so soon after scoring but in fairness I thought Everton were worth the point, although we did look more lively in the final third than they did. They're probably the best side we've played this season, that wasn't easy for us at all and on the face of it it's probably a decent point at the end of the day.

Shame we couldn't capitalise fully on Chelsea's defeat but we're still a point better off which is better than we were at the start of the weekend.

Bring on City.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yeah we had a lead of four points going in to the weekend, now we have one of five so that's ok.

[Ollie the Optimist]

that game was incredible to watch, was a fantastic game. we started slowly but got going towards the end. Ozil, Kos, BFG were outstanding. Theo and Rosicky were brilliant when they came on. credit to AW for going bold with the triple sub.

everton are the best team we have faced all season, they've only lost to man city and barely conceded any goals, this was always going to be a hard game and a draw is the fair result. five points clear going into city. id have taken that before kick off

[IBK]

Always disappointing to concede so soon after scoring but in fairness I thought Everton were worth the point, although we did look more lively in the final third than they did. They're probably the best side we've played this season, that wasn't easy for us at all and on the face of it it's probably a decent point at the end of the day.

Shame we couldn't capitalise fully on Chelsea's defeat but we're still a point better off which is better than we were at the start of the weekend.

Bring on City.

Can't add much more apart from to say that Everton were very good and in past seasons we may well have lost this one. Feels like an honourable draw, for me.

[Newguy]

Felt Gibbs and Arteta were naive defensively at times. Arteta almost cost us at the death. We should have seen out that game, it would have given us a healthy gap going into two really tough games but on the bright side.... We're still better off than we were last week. Man City next and that will be the acid test for these guys. City are lethal at home so if we can get a result I think this team will feel they're unstoppable in the league.

Kos N BFG were solid. Best defensive partnership in the premiership.

Jenkinson was solid after he got over his nerves.

Gibbs just doesn't do it for me now that we have a serious title challenge on our hands. Defensively naive and ball watches a lot.

Everyone else were ok, Ramsey was a bit below par but his run is bound to wind down at some point.

One good thing is that Ozil is looking like he's getting settled with the pace and is now finding the net a bit more.

Still need a striker

[milla]

Felt Gibbs and Arteta were naive defensively at times. Arteta almost cost us at the death. We should have seen out that game, it would have given us a healthy gap going into two really tough games but on the bright side.... We're still better off than we were last week. Man City next and that will be the acid test for these guys. City are lethal at home so if we can get a result I think this team will feel they're unstoppable in the league.

Kos N BFG were solid. Best defensive partnership in the premiership.

Jenkinson was solid after he got over his nerves.

Gibbs just doesn't do it for me now that we have a serious title challenge on our hands. Defensively naive and ball watches a lot.

Everyone else were ok, Ramsey was a bit below par but his run is bound to wind down at some point.

One good thing is that Ozil is looking like he's getting settled with the pace and is now finding the net a bit more.

Still need a striker

This

- Despite our strong CBs pairing our wing backs are poor IMO. I wasn't happy at all with the way Gibbs allowed Deulofeu a good 1-2 yards of space (on his strong foot) for that goal, horrible defending.
- Also think it is about time we start playing proper wide player (at least on one side), Jack is a solid CM but defensively exposed on the wing.
- Next game rests Ramsey, he was tired and poor today.
- Bring in a new striker. Bif is tiring and missed too many chances for my liking.

Everton weren't that good defensively, they are good counter attacking side but resorting to cynical challenges when facing the same problem. Having said that, Everton is definitely the strongest team we have played this season.

5 points clear on the top. If we do it right, we definitely can get 6 points out from our next games against the money bags.

[Ollie the Optimist]

why are we moaning about wing backs? gibbs made a mistake today but that was our first goal conceded since united away. we've conceded 11 goals all season, both full backs and centre backs have been outstanding so far. one made a mistake today but doubting we could challenge for the title with gibbs in the side is just wrong. he's been superb this season

[Letters]

Fairly happy with the point. For all their possession we made the better chances. I thought Lukaku was outstanding for them.
Everton were well worth a point, thought we were going to sneak it when we got a relatively late goal but credit to Everton, it was an outstanding equaliser.
Could have been 2-1 either way in the end. You could say these are the sorts of games you win if you're going to win the title but if you'd given me 5 points clear at this stage of the season I'd have bitten your arm off. Actually, I'd probably have laughed at the notion. We're not going to win every game, Everton are 5th for a reason, they've only lost once and that was City away where everyone's getting a pasting.
Overall I'm a bit disappointed but relatively content with the result.

[LDG]

I thought We gave Everton to much space between the lines in the first half, which we rectified in the second half.

We were a little off the pace today, and I though Cazorla and Ramsey weren't firing like they can.

They made it tough, but if we're going to challenge for the league, those are the matches you don't lose.

Shame we couldn't hold onto the win, but fair result, a good point, and five clear.

EDIT: should just say Kos was brilliant today.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Disappointing, still yet, a decent result. Had the better chances and should have won quite easily.

On to the next.