Spot-Kick Proves The Difference Against League Leaders

A first-half Viktor Gyokeres penalty was all that prevented Everton from getting something to show from a gritty display against Premier League leaders Arsenal in the final match of 2025 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The crucial moment of a closely-fought encounter came on 27 minutes when Jake O’Brien was penalised for handling Declan Rice’s corner, allowing Gyokeres to net the winner from the spot.

Other than that, it was an even affair, Arsenal twice hitting the post in the second half but the Toffees putting plenty of pressure on the Gunners without truly testing the meanest defence in England.

Boss David Moyes could still take positives from another display which offered encouragement moving forward, especially with a host of key players missing for his side.

Moyes made three enforced changes from the harsh defeat at Chelsea seven days earlier.

With Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye on AFCON duty with Senegal, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury at Stamford Bridge, Tim Iroegbunam, Dwight McNeil – making his 100^th Premier League appearance for the Toffees – and Charly Alcaraz came into the starting XI.

For the 2025 finale at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the Blues walked out to a cauldron of noise around their waterfront home which included a light show and tifo the length of the South Stand emblazoned with Prince Rupert’s Tower and the words ‘On The Banks Of The Royal Blue Mersey’.

Having taken the lead inside two minutes against Nottingham Forest the last time on home soil, Everton were quick out of the blocks against the league leaders, seeing plenty of joy down the left through Mykolenko and Grealish.

The best opening early on came when Alcaraz collected possession from a Pickford long ball 30 yards from goal and had plenty of green grass to run into, only for a heavy touch in the area allowing the visitors to clear.

Arsenal wanted a penalty on 23 minutes after Bukayo Saka’s right-wing cross clipped Mykolenko, with Viktor Gyokeres tumbling down at the back post under a challenge from O’Brien.

While referee Sam Barrott correctly waved play on, he was pointing to the spot from the resulting corner on the advice of VAR when O’Brien handled Declan Rice’s delivery going up for a header.

Pickford correctly guessed the right way but could not prevent Gyokeres from blasting his penalty into the back of the net.

The goal knocked Everton off rhythm and it took a well-timed challenge from Tarkowski close to half-time to stop Gyokeres from hitting a second after the Sweden striker was played in by William Saliba.

But the Toffees came racing out of the blocks again for the start of the second half, Alcaraz heading Tarkowski's looping cross into the arms of David Raya.

Tarkowski needed to revert to his defensive duties on 50 minutes when Saka and Timber combined down the right, ending with the England international being picked out in the area to slide a goalbound finish that the defender blocked from going over the line.

Everton responded moments later when Garner’s interception put Barry in the clear, only for the striker to look to have his legs clipped by Martin Zubimendi on the edge of the area – the referee and VAR both ruling otherwise.

The video referee was busy again as the hour mark approached, taking a look at whether Saliba kicked Barry as the Frenchmen battled for the ball inside the area. To the disappointment of most around Hill Dickinson, however, no penalty was given.

Arsenal so nearly doubled their advantage on 64 minutes, a swift counter ending with Declan Rice sliding a pass to Leandro Trossard to the left side of the area for the Belgian to curl a first-time shot onto the far post.

And the same frame was struck soon after, Gyokeres cutting back for Zubimendi to smack the woodwork from 12 yards out.

Chasing a route back into the game, Moyes sent on Beto, followed by Tyler Dibling and the fit-again Merlin Röhl.

All three players made contributions, Beto proving a handful, in particular. But as six minutes of added time were signalled, Arsenal – who have conceded just 10 goals in their 17 league matches this term – were able to hold on for a narrow victory.