Everton were treated to a harsh opening day lesson, as their defensive errors played into the hands of a rampant Arsenal.
Aug 15, 2009 2:45:35 PM
Cesc Fabregas, Everton, Arsenal, Dani Jarque (PA)
EVERTONTim Howard: 5.5 -
Was beaten by a fashionably maligned midfielder in the first-half, but kept strong mitts from corner kicks and crosses to deny Arsenal's incoming headers a coveted opportunity on goal. Should have done better with Arsenal's fourth. Conceded six.
Tony Hibbert: 4.0 -
Had little positive action and was duly brought off for burgeoning talent Jack Rodwell.
Joseph Yobo: 5.0 -
Failed to track and follow Vermaelen for the Arsenal defender's goal, in an act that would surely have had David Moyes cursing.
Joleon Lescott: 6.5 -
One mistake, a casual slip, almost allowed Arshavin to capitalise but the Russian was blocked by the England international's recovery. His mistakes were few and far between, unlike his defensive team-mates.
Leighton Baines: 6.0 -
Tried to get forward when possible, even if it meant going searching for the ball.
Leon Osman: 6.0 -
Occasionally found space on the right to work, but was shunted out of action. Was one part of a three-way substitution just before the hour mark.
Tim Cahill: 6.5 -
His aerial ability belies his relatively small stature. A fine runner, as was evident when he snuck past Vermaelen but his control was a touch heavy and Almunia was able to smother the attack.
Phil Neville: 5.5 -
Struggled to cope with Arsenal's midfield dominance.
Steven Pienaar: 6.0 -
Looked to pick up from his sterling showing in the Confederations Cup with South Africa. Some good play. Couldn't establish himself in this game, though.
Marouane Fellaini: 6.5 -
Imposed himself as a towering presence early on. Was also central to a few impressive one-touch passages of play. A crisp passer of the football. When his side weren't in possession, he could be found willingly trying to retrieve it. Tried hard for the goal, thought he'd scored, but Denilson had something to say about it.
Jo: 5.0 -
Got a couple decent touches in the first half but, for the lion's share of the opening 45, the majority of play was behind him. He was therefore out of the picture.
SubsJack Rodwell: N/a -
Dan Gosling: N/a -
Louis Saha: 7.0 -
Had a good chance on goal within five minutes of his introduction to the game, but the better talking points in the pub will probably focus on his strange hair. Struck a consolation effort in the 93rd.
ARSENAL
Manuel Almunia: 7.0 -
Bad kicks even when he wasn't under pressure to clear in the early stages. Had a good command of his area overall, demonstrated with some good collections despite a crowded box. His quick throwing paid dividends, and he got himself an assist.
Bacary Sagna: 6.5 -
Quick to recover when a flat line allowed an albeit offside Pienaar through.
William Gallas: 7.0 -
Stayed with his markers, was consistent in the hustle, and defended well. Poured more misery onto Everton with a third Gunners goal inside the first 40 minutes.
Thomas Vermaelen: 7.5 -
A composed Premier League debutant. Used his legs well to frustrate a Leon Osman run. Impressively quick to quell danger. Free header led to his goal.
Gael Clichy: 7.0 -
Sloppy cross on 20'. Good defensive work, drifted into the centre to get two successive blocks on what looked a promising Toffees forward motion.
Alexandre Song: 7.5 -
Was a good match for Fellaini in the air, and beat the Belgium international to the ball a number of times. Held the midfield fort well. Is growing as a player by the match.
Denilson: 8.0 -
Wayward final balls at times, unseen in the opening ten or twenty minutes as his higher profile team-mates worked around him. That was turned on it's head in the 26th minute as his curling right foot drive, from distance, beat Howard and gobsmacked the audience. Goal-line clearance down other end. Played well.
Francesc Fabregas: 8.0 -
Surprisingly overshadowed in the first half by Denilson and Song. Struck the free-kick that William Gallas nodded in. Stroked the ball home two minutes after the re-start to put the win beyond doubt. Was far more productive in the second half, as was evident with his second. Was substituted but still earned his wage. Dedicated his second to the death of Daniel Jarque, the late Espanyol captain.
Nicklas Bendtner: 8.0 -
Good early link-up play with Robin van Persie. Sturdy knock-downs to RvP. Liked to drift wide on the right. His strength and chest-and-footwork from the wing assisted Denilson for the Brazilian's wonder-goal. It's hard to imagine this is the same Bendtner from this time last season.
Andrey Arshavin: 7.0 -
A canny dribbler with a good balance. Always looked a threat. Scored all four goals during the 4-4 tie with Liverpool last season, but today returned nil, even though his side recorded six.
Robin van Persie: 7.5 -
Sound set-piece delivery, a good striker of the ball. Assisted Vermaelen from a dead ball scenario. Delicately played in 'Cesc' after a strong run down the left flank for the Gunners' fourth.
SubsEmmanuel Eboue: N/a -
Aaron Ramsey: N/a -
Eduardo da Silva: 6.5 -
Struck the sixth.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
