Viktor Gyokeres ended a barren goalscoring run from the penalty spot to send Arsenal back top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Everton.

The Gunners had been usurped at the top of the table by Manchester City earlier on Saturday, but restored their two-point advantage despite another unconvincing performance.

Mikel Arteta’s men needed a stoppage-time winner to see off bottom-of-the-table Wolves last weekend and struggled to cut loose against a depleted Everton.

However, one goal was enough to ensure Arsenal is top at Christmas for the third time in four years.

In both previous occasions, it failed to go on and win the title as it was reeled in by City.

Gyokeres had a penalty appeal waived away seconds before opening the scoring for a push by Jake O’Brien.

But from the resulting corner, O’Brien inexplicably raised his arms to handle Declan Rice’s delivery, and a spot-kick was awarded.

AS IT HAPPENED: EVE VS ARS HIGHLIGHTS

Arsenal’s normal penalty taker, Bukayo Saka, stood aside to allow Gyokeres to hammer the penalty past Jordan Pickford.

The league leader had failed to win on its previous three Premier League road trips to allow City to close in, but ran into the Toffees at the right time.

Everton’s tough task was not aided by the absence of three key players.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missed out through injury, while Senegal duo Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye have departed for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Everton’s lack of quality in the final third quickly showed, but Arsenal was still left holding on for the three points after failing to kill the game off.

Gyokeres showed the lack of speed that has hampered his transition in the step up from his free-scoring form with Sporting Lisbon to the English top-flight.

He latched onto William Saliba’s through ball but fired wide under pressure from James Tarkowski.

Saka should have given the visitor breathing space when his shot was cleared off the line by Tarkowski early in the second half.

Arsenal was forced to ride its luck as Thierno Barry had two strong penalty appeals waived away for fouls by Jurrien Timber and Saliba.

Twice, the visitor was inches away from a crucial second goal as Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi both hit the post.

But a ninth clean sheet in 17 league games ensured Arteta was granted the gift he wanted to mark his sixth anniversary in charge of Arsenal.

Published on Dec 21, 2025