Source: Daily_Mail
Everton 1 Arsenal 6: They bullied us! Moyes admits his team were blitzed
He had been hung out to dry by his players, so it was perhaps understandable David Moyes resorted to gallows humour after Everton's heaviest home defeat for 51 years.
Arsenal had run out 6-1 winners, just as they did in September, 1958, and a crestfallen Moyes began the most painful of inquests by suggesting he could be in danger of the same fate that befell Norwich's Bryan Gunn 24 hours earlier.
'A manager was sacked for conceding seven at home in his first game of the season,' he said.
Arsenal
Joy of six: smiles all round as Eduardo (right) is congratulated by Denilson for Arsenal¿s last goal
'We've had six put past us, so I had better pull my socks up. I'm not immune from that.
'It's no different for me than for any other manager, and I know I have to do better.'
The delivery was deadpan, without even a flicker of a smile, but it is surely safe to assume the second most secure manager in the Barclays Premier League, after Sir Alex Ferguson, did not spend the weekend fretting over his job.
He may just have found time for a period of reflection, though, after being let down so badly that even Arsenal euphoria was tempered by a ready acceptance there are sterner tests to come.
Football and cricket may overlap at this time of year, but few could have foreseen a six at Goodison Park as well as Edgbaston on Twenty-20 finals day. Still less, three of the goals meeting such token resistance that Moyes could not hide his dismay in the dug-out, as he covered his face with his hands.
David Moyes
Dejected: Everton boss David Moyes
The start to last season was scarcely trouble-free for the Everton manager, with injuries and transfer frustrations contributing to an opening-day home defeat by Blackburn, but it was nothing compared to the fall-out from Manchester City's unrelenting pursuit of Joleon Lescott.
The Everton defender's body language, as he made his way slowly, sullenly, almost reluctantly towards the Gwladys Street End before kick-off, did little to challenge the veracity of claims that he had told Moyes he was in no fit state to play.
Moyes has deservedly been lauded for resisting City's heavy-handed approach to getting their own way, but the time has surely arrived for accepting the inevitable, alien though it may be to all he believes in.
Predictably, he had his own view, but most observers looking at Lescott's obvious disenchantment and the level of application from Everton as as whole couldn't help concluding there may just have been a connection.
Even Arsene Wenger, doing his utmost to avoid being his usual forthright self, conceded as much, as he pondered his own recent battles with players agitating to leave, and said: 'The sense of uncertainty is the biggest concern for Everton.
'I don't know what is happening behind the scenes, or how much Lescott wants to go, but when there are vibes around the place, it helps no-one.'
Lescott's disaffection seemed to spread through the entire Everton team as, following a spectacular 26th-minute opener by Denilson, they stood motionless to concede two unchallenged set-piece headers by Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas before half-time.
They were just as culpable for the way Cesc Fabregas ran the length of the field untroubled for Arsenal's fifth goal, but the popular interpretation of their woes cut no ice with Moyes, who remained unmoved by yet another claim from Mark Hughes that Lescott would end up at Eastlands.
'He can say what he likes, but there is no deal and we are not selling,' he insisted.
'The players know their performance was unacceptable, but I take my share of responsibility as well. One or two were not focused, not switched on when it came to dealing with the basics, and I'll have to address that on the training ground and make sure it doesn't happen again.
Match facts
Everton (4-5-1): Howard 6; Hibbert 5 (Gosling 58min, 5), Yobo 4, Lescott 5, Baines 5; Osman 6 (Saha 58, 6), Neville 6, Fellaini 5, Cahill 5, Pienaar 6; Jo 4 (Rodwell 58, 6).
Arsenal (4-3-2-1): Almunia 6; Sagna 6, Gallas 7, Vermaelen 8, Clichy 6; Fabregas 8 (Ramsey 72, 6), Song 7, Denilson 7; Bendtner 7 (Eboue 63, 6), Arshavin 7; Van Persie 7 (Eduardo 72, 6).
Man of the match: Cesc Fabregas.
Referee: Mark Halsey.
'Something like this can be very damaging. We've got a big European game in midweek, so it is vital we get over it quickly and move on. There are no excuses, but you look for reasons.
'It has been a difficult week, with so many players away on internationals, but you can't put it down to the situation with Joleon.
'We lost two first-half goals to set-pieces where we didn't get a head to the ball, and that had nothing to do with the goings-on during the week.
'Spirit is a big thing here, but for some reason, we just didn't perform and even allowed Arsenal to bully us and push us around.
'It would normally be the other way round. Maybe our boys think they are better than they actually are and don't need to bother with the basics, but you always have to win your headers and challenges and track back.'
Wenger has had to contend with the usual pre-season putdowns about his side being lightweight and lacking a cutting edge, but the way they exploited Everton's shortcomings could hardly have been more ruthless.
'It strikes me the team are maturing at just the right time, and when you look at the players who could still come in, it is clear we are not short of firepower,' he said.
'We were ruled out as title contenders before the game, but now everyone will have us down as super favourites.
'I will just say I was pleased with our cohesion and the way we played for each other, and I thought Vermaelen showed he has what it takes to play in the Premier League.
'We liked what we saw when he played against us for Ajax, and he demonstrated he can be a valuable asset for us.'
New boy: Thomas Vermaelen may have been given the easiest of rides by a lacklustre Everton side but he still exuded calm authority at the back and an impressive spring at the other end to plant an unchallenged header past goalkeeper Tim Howard. Saving tackle on Leon Osman showed he can defend.
