Arsenal Edge Everton 1-0 with Gyökeres' Penalty to Reclaim Premier League Lead
Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 20 December 2025, returning to the summit of the Premier League standings ahead of Manchester City. The decisive moment came when Viktor Gyökeres scored a winning penalty after Jake O’Brien handled a cross, with VAR confirming the handball.
The match marked Mikel Arteta's sixth anniversary as Arsenal manager. Despite missing Everton players Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye, replacements Carlos Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil had limited impact.
Arsenal controlled the midfield through Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi and displayed efficiency, although they created few clear chances. They threatened to double their lead in the second half when Bukayo Saka's shot was blocked and a promising Saka–Timber collaboration was thwarted by Tarkowski.
Leandro Trossard and Zubimendi came close to scoring as both hit the post and the base of the post respectively within minutes of each other, following chances set up by Rice.
Everton had two penalty appeals during the match. Thierno Barry went down under Zubimendi's challenge, which was declined by VAR, and a subsequent Saliba challenge on Barry was also reviewed but did not result in a penalty award.
