Right from the first minute Arsenal attacked with pace, intent and determination. This determination however was nothing compared to that of an Everton team who produced an outstanding tactical and defensive performance. A performance that may well come under criticism from the media, Arsenal and football fans in general but a type of performance that was necessary to get a result at a side like Arsenal. Teams who come out and attack Arsenal have often been found wanting and been on the end of heavy defeats, as Reading were just a week ago losing 4-0 at home. David Moyes was not about to let his side suffer the same fate as Reading.

Starting off with a 4-5-1 system with Andy Johnson left on his own to chase every ball that went in the Arsenal half, not that there were that many of them, Everton put out a patched up side consisting of several people with injuries and illness but declaring themselves fit though obviously suffering. Arsenal had won 5 matches in a row going into this game and may well have been confident of making that 6, but this expectation suffered a knock when Tim Cahill blasted home a left footed shot from two yards after a delightful corner from Mikel Arteta. It was Cahill's 7th goal in 11 starts this season and 14th goal for Everton in the year, showing why he has been nominated for the coverted Ballon D'Or award, for Europe's best player. The belief the Everton side possessed was evident and grew with every minute that passed. Arsenal failed to create many chances in the first half, relying only on long range efforts firstly from Rosicky and then Henry who forced Howard to save well.

Having seen out the 35minutes after the goal, which seemed more like 350 minutes, there was only another 45 to go, but with Mike Riley refereeing you knew it was going to be much more than that. And the pattern of the game did not change one bit. Arsenal had their first chance of the half about 20 seconds after kick off when Thierry Henry saw his powerful header somehow tipped around the post by the outstanding Tim Howard. Rosicky came close with a curling effort after a fantastic bit of skill and close control but still Arsenal could not beat the USA International keeper.

As the minutes went on the 3000 travelling Evertonians started to believe this was going to be the first victory away at Arsenal since the 1995/6 season. This however was ruined when Arsenal equalised with around 20minutes to go. And of course with Mike Riley in charge it was never going to be anything other than a contraversial goal. This time Riley missed Carsley clearly getting the ball when tackling Rosicky on the edge of the penalty area, just as he had missed Milan Baros catching the ball to control it last Boxing Day. While Riley can be criticised for yet more inept refereeing nothing can be taken away from the brilliance of Robin van Persie's free kick. With power, bend, dip and the highest accuracy on the set piece not even Tim Howard in sparking form could keep out the shot.

Everton did manage to see out the final 20minutes, though Riley managed to anger the Evertonians some more by sending off David Moyes for pointing to his watch to signal time was up. Pedantic? No. Biased? Yes. Time after time Mike Riley has failed to give decisions for teams from Merseyside but been more than happy to give big decisions against them, unfortunately, nothing is going to stop him being given Everton and Liverpool games to referee in future.

Everton face Arsenal again in the League Cup last 16 in just over a weeks time. With Everton at home and with Arsenal likely to have a weakened side out it should be a completely different game with Everton having more than 10 touches of the ball. But nobody can deny that it was a brilliant performance in terms of grit, determination, effort, organisation and bravery and full credit should be given to Moyes and the players out there for sending Evertonians home happy from a trip to Arsenal for the first time in 11 years.

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