“that shows how far we have come”

By: 21 | January 28th, 2009

Following the disheartening 1-1 draw to Arsenal, David Moyes urged the Toffees on:

“It doesn’t feel too good. But I have to look at how well the team played overall – I thought they were excellent.

“We deserved the three points but I have to give Arsenal credit, they kept going and got the goal in the 93rd minute.

“I am angry because I thought we had a good chance to keep the ball in the corner (at the end of the game). But I’m more disappointed because the players worked hard and earned it (a win).”

It is probably the best way to look at the match because after a tough, disciplined performance to drop points in the third minute of added time is a tough pill to swallow. However the Toffees will pick themselves up and go straight at Manchester United this weekend.

Of the match, it was a tough defensive battle and truth be told, Arsenal looked off. Everton took the lead when, to no-ones surprise, Timmy Cahill scored as he headed in Leighton Baines cross from the left to the far corner of the net. With the 1-0 lead, the match was in the Toffees style of play and defending was crisp to the letter. Four minutes of added time was called, just one too many for the Toffees as three minutes in Abou Diaby’s long pass was chested down Robin Van Persie and struck perfectly with his left foot past Tim Howard.

Easily to be missed, Timmy Cahill limped off with four minutes left and how much, if any the impressive leaders omission impacted the final minutes is debatable. However of his injury, David Moyes said:

“Tim doesn’t look bad. I think he’s just taken a kick on his foot. He was fatigued anyway so it was right that we took him off.

“I thought (Joleon) Lescott and (Phil) Jagielka were out of this world. The standard they are setting is so high at this time.”

“We are disappointed only to draw with Arsenal and that shows how far we have come.”