Pickford put three points in Arsenal’s pocket, Magpies crushing Chelsea’s UCL hopes

If you’re an Arsenal fan, you’ve probably been feeling nervous lately. Another reason for that came today. A rather poor performance from Mikel Arteta’s side, contrasted with a strong showing from Everton, made the match highly uncertain. In the end, a major mistake by England’s goalkeeper, followed by a composed finish from a sixteen-year-old, secured a significant win for Arsenal. Meanwhile, in an extremely exciting game full of chances, Newcastle managed to beat Chelsea with a Gordon goal, further damaging Chelsea’s fight for the Champions League.

In the 6th minute, Arsenal had their first major chance. Following a well-rehearsed corner routine, Madueke received the ball on the flank, advanced to the edge of the box, and fired a shot, but Jordan Pickford was alert and made a solid save.

Everton answered in the 9th minute when Calafiori got on the end of a pass from Zubimendi inside the box and attempted a volley, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

The 18th minute saw two brilliant chances for Everton in quick succession. First, McNeil tried a shot that was blocked by Calafiori, and immediately after, he unleashed a stunning effort from 20 meters that rattled the post — agonizingly close to opening the scoring.

Arsenal went close again in the 31st minute when Dewsbury-Hall found space at the edge of the box and struck a venomous shot, only for Raya to dive and make a strong save.

Finally, in the 39th minute, Arsenal threatened from a corner. Calafiori flicked the ball on at the near post, creating chaos in the Everton box. Saliba rose to meet it at the back post, but Pickford managed to get a crucial touch and keep Everton in the game.

In the 49th minute, Everton had a major opportunity. A corner from Garner was cleared to McNeil, who struck the ball toward goal. Beto controlled it in the area and tried to spin it past Raya, but goalkeeper made a strong near-post save to keep Arsenal in the lead.

Arsenal responded in the 60th minute with Saka, who met a high ball from Calafiori under heavy pressure in the Everton box. His header was on target, but Jordan Pickford managed to block it, albeit not cleanly.

In the 64th minute, Eze had a strong chance for Arsenal. He received the ball at the edge of the box and fired a first-time shot, but it just skimmed past the post. Thirteen minutes later, in the 77th minute, Eze unleashed another powerful strike, this time heading straight for Pickford, who reacted well to keep Everton in the game.

Arsenal came even closer in the 84th minute through Dowman. He was involved in a quick counter that started and ended with him, receiving a pass after Hincapie’s movement and Martinelli’s cross. Spotting space at the edge of the box, Dowman leaned back on his shot and curled it over the crossbar — agonizingly close to a perfect finish.

In the 89th minute, there was an explosion at the Emirates. Dowman crossed from the right, Pickford made a huge mistake by missing the ball, it deflected off Hincapie, bounced to Gyokeres, and he simply tapped it into the net for 1–0.

The final touch of the match came from Max Dowman, who took advantage of Pickford rushing toward Arsenal’s goal. The young player seized the opportunity, ran the length of the pitch, and scored to make it 2–0.

Chelsea - Newcastle 0-1 (0-1)

Chelsea showed the first signs of danger in the 8th minute when they broke forward and worked the ball to Garnacho, who delivered a deep cross. Joao Pedro was lurking in the box, but Hall managed to clear for a corner. From that set piece, Fofana was free from 10 yards out and met the ball with a powerful header, but he sent it over the crossbar.

Chelsea continued to create openings. In the 12th minute, Palmer found space, drew defenders to him, and laid it off to James, who fired from 20 yards, only to see it sail over the bar. One minute later, Garnacho had another chance after Woltemade lost the ball deep in his own half.

Garnacho squeezed a strike on target from 15 yards, but Ramsdale made an easy save. Palmer then danced into space in the 14th minute for a prime opportunity from 18 yards, but his curling effort went off target.

Newcastle United struck first in the 18th minute. Joe Willock made a cleverly timed run behind Chelsea’s high defensive line and played the ball to Gordon for a simple tap-in. The goal was borderline offside but ultimately stood, highlighting some horrendous defending from Chelsea.

Chelsea continued to press. In the 30th minute, Palmer had a close-range effort after Garnacho sped down the left and delivered a cross, only to be blocked by Hall. Willock threatened again in the 34th minute with a similar run, but Sanchez managed to push his shot away. Palmer had another curling attempt in the 38th minute from 20 yards, which Ramsdale successfully stopped.

The half ended with a frantic moment in stoppage time. Chelsea lost a midfield duel as Enzo Fernandez was brushed aside, leaving the ball for Ramsey around 20 yards out. His powerful shot, deflected, forced Sanchez into a difficult save to keep the score at 1-0 in favor of Newcastle.

In the 49th minute, Chelsea’s intensity paid off with a quick strike from 20 yards after winning the ball back off Murphy. However, Aaron Ramsdale was alert and got down quickly to make a crucial save.

Five minutes later, Garnacho cut in from the left and drilled a low shot, only for Thiaw to block it well. Cucurella tried to follow up from the rebound but slipped under pressure, missing the chance.

In the 60th minute, Joao Pedro came to life on the edge of the box. His strike took a slight deflection and rolled just a few yards wide, narrowly missing the target as Ramsdale would not have reached it.

Newcastle threatened in the 69th minute, when Joe Willock held off Lavia and fed Gordon from about 20 yards out. Gordon’s strike wobbled toward the corner, but Sanchez made a fine save to keep Chelsea in the game.

Chelsea’s best opportunity of the half came in the 75th minute. James delivered a brilliant cross from the right, and Cucurella poked it across goal for Delap who smacks the ball into the crowd.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 30

Saturday

Burnley - Bournemouth 0-0

Sunderland - Brighton 0-1 (0-0)

/Minteh 58/

Arsenal - Everton 2-0 (0-0)

/Gyokeres 89, Dowman 90+7/

Chelsea - Newcastle 0-1 (0-1)

/Gordon 18/

23.00: (4.90) West Ham (3.60) Man.City (1.75)

Sunday

17.00: (2.50) Crystal Palace (3.25) Leeds (2.90)

17.00: (1.80) Man.Utd. (4.00) Aston Villa (4.50)

17.00: (2.25) Nott.Forest (3.50) Fulham (3.40)

19.30: (1.33) Liverpool (5.50) Tottenham (8.50)

Monday

23.00: (1.60) Brentford (3.90) Wolverhampton (5.80)

***odds are subject to change***