Vermaelen goal sends Arsenal third after victory

Arsenal moved up to third place in the league as they beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. The win came courtesy of an early goal from Thomas Vermaelen, meaning he had scored the match winner in two successive games having scored against Newcastle the previous week. It was a key win as the Gunners leapfrogged their rivals, Spurs, into third place whilst also extending their lead over Chelsea who were in fifth place. It was a game in which Mikel Arteta made his return to Goodison Park having moved from Everton to Arsenal in the summer. There was only one change to the side that beat Newcastle as Aaron Ramsey came in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who was rested as he dropped to the bench.

Vermaelen scored the games only goal as Arsenal came away with all three points

The first chance of the match fell to the visitors, as Rosicky's ball was knocked down by Van Persie into the path of Ramsey, who sliced the ball over the bar when it looked easier to hit the target than to miss.

Ramsey then got another chance as he picked the ball up just inside the penalty area before driving a shot which took a deflection and went out for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Arsenal took the lead. Van Persie's inswinging ball was met by the head of Vermaelen who found the net from 6 yards out for a deserved opening goal. 

Van Persie then nearly had a goal of his own as Arteta poked the ball through to him but Howard came out and saved the shot.

Everton's first chance fell to Osman as Fellaini headed the ball back into the area from a free kick and into Osman who stooped down low to head the ball wide of the goal.

The hosts then thought they had scored as Cahill found Drenthe who put the ball past Szczesny for what looked to be an equaliser, but for the linesman who had his flag raised for offside and the goal was ruled out.

Tim Howard was forced into making a great save shortly after the disallowed goal as Rosicky stung the palms of the American goalkeeper as he managed to keep the Gunners from extending their lead.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

The first chance of the second half fell to Everton. Leighton Baines whipped in a free kick from the left which found the head of Fellaini but Szczesny was in the way to keep Arsenal in the lead.

Arsenal's first chance of the half fell to Van Persie who came incredibly close to scoring as Song's ball was knocked down by Gibbs, into the path of Van Persie, who struck the post with his effort.

Ramsey then came close to extending the Gunners lead as Walcott played the ball into Ramsey who cut inside before striking a shot which forced Howard into getting down low to pull off the save.

The Gunners were looking the most likely team to score and had two great chances in quick succession as first Van Persie pulled his shot wide and then Rosicky smashed a shot against Howard, both from close range.

Most of Everton's chances were coming through the impressive Baines as the hosts next chance was knocked down by Distin, from a Baines corner, into the path of Drenthe, who fired his shot over the bar and into the crowd.

Arsenal were desperately looking for that second goal which would surely see out the match and they got a good chance as Gervinho caught Everton on the break and got down the left hand side, before cutting the ball into Van Persie, who blazed his shot high and wide of the goal.

The final score finished Everton 0-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Osman(79), Cahill(88), Fellaini, Pienaar, Drenthe(79), Jelavic.
Subs: Mucha, Jagielka, Neville, McFadden, Stracqualursi(88), Gueye(79), Anichebe(79).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky(88), Walcott(79), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou(88), Santos, Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho(79), Chamakh.

My man of the match: Thomas Vermaelen

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 30,330