Last-gasp Rosicky goal rescues Arsenal
442 Staff - Saturday 09 January 2010, 19:43
LONDON - A stoppage-time equaliser by Tomas
Rosicky secured a 2-2 draw for Arsenal at home to Everton on
Saturday as the Londoners missed the chance to move within a
point of Premier League leaders Chelsea.
The Czech substitute finished off a flowing move with a
deflected shot to grab a point for the hosts after Steven
Pienaar's superb breakaway goal 11 minutes earlier looked to
have won it for Everton in a second-half snowstorm.
Chelsea, who had their trip to Hull City postponed, top the
table with 45 points.
Arsenal had won four and drawn one of their last five league
games and crushed Everton 6-1 at Goodison Park on the opening
day of the season.
However, David Moyes' team are enjoying their own good run
at the moment and were far tougher opposition this time.
DONOVAN DEBUT
The visitors took the lead after 12 minutes when U.S.
international Landon Donovan, making his debut after joining on
a short-term loan this week, swung over a corner and Leon Osman
produced an excellent leap to power in a header.
Arsenal levelled after 28 minutes when Denilson's 25-metre
shot deflected off Osman and beyond wrong-footed keeper Tim
Howard.
Everton survived plenty of pressure as the snow made
conditions awkward in the second half and then took the lead
nine minutes from time when Tim Cahill sent Pienaar clear and
the South Africa midfielder beat Manuel Almunia with a cool,
dinked finish.
Almunia prevented a third Everton goal with a good save from
James Vaughan before Arsenal roared back into the attack as
another neat passing move left Rosicky clear and his shot was
deflected past the unfortunate Howard.
The goal brought relief to the frozen home fans but, having
seen his team claw their way back from an 11-point deficit five
weeks ago, manager Arsene Wenger is likely to see the result as
a missed opportunity.