Everton Defeated At Arsenal

Goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel consigned Everton to a 2-0 defeat at the home of reigning Premier League champions Arsenal on Saturday.

Konsa opened the scoring inside seven minutes in north London, prodding home from close range after Martin Odegaard's dangerous corner popped up and was clawed on to the crossbar by Jordan Pickford.

The Blues responded relatively well to that early setback, though, and fashioned chances of their own before the half-time interval – most notably through Tyrique George, whose vicious right-footed effort was deflected behind for a corner following bright play on the left flank.

Thierno Barry also went close as the opening period drew to a close, but his glancing first-time effort was well stopped by David Raya after an under-hit header back to the Arsenal goalkeeper.

The Gunners landed their second blow of the contest midway through the second half, with Gabriel heading home Ben White's cross at the far post.

Everton came again and went close to halving the deficit, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's shot angled just wide from a cross by James Garner, who filled in at left-back after Vitalii Mykolenko was forced off with injury.

The result moves Arsenal joint top of the league table.

Next up for Everton is a Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Newcastle United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday (7.45pm GMT kick-off).