Source: Liverpool_Echo
Arsenal 2, Everton 2: Blues hot up in big freeze
WHILE the rest of the nation huddles under electric blankets, cranks up the heating and prays for a respite from the cold, David Moyes wishes his team could play in a blizzard every week.[LNB]His resurgent side's display in the swirling snow and arctic temperatures of North London was that impressive, it could even prompt the Blues boss to consider the North Pole for their next pre-season tour.[LNB]The Toffees have enjoyed some notable away performances since kick-starting their season in the adversity of November's derby defeat. They took a point from Stanford Bridge when Chelsea were still being touted as champions elect, and were unfortunate to leave Sunderland with only a draw on boxing day.[LNB]But this display, against a team who could have gone two points behind league leaders Chelsea had they won, must rank as their best away performance of the campaign.[LNB]For his part, Arsene Wenger very nearly learnt the lesson that you should be careful what you wish for - especially when what you crave is a meeting with Everton.[LNB]The Arsenal boss was desperate for Saturday's clash to go ahead at the Emirates despite the worsening weather.[LNB]He had already been thwarted from pursuing Chelsea on Wednesday when the big freeze forced Arsenal's home clash with Bolton to be postponed.[LNB]So Wenger pushed hard for the Emirates staff to ensure their next game against Everton would take place, despite almost every other Premier League game falling victim to the snow.[LNB]He no doubt sensed victory against a club his team thrashed 6-1 on the opening day of the season. What he got was a draw which was only three minutes away from being a bloody nose and home defeat.[LNB]Indeed if James Vaughan had managed to steer a late chance past Manuel Almunia, Everton would have been a dead cert for a euphoric 3-1 victory against a side they have beaten only once in their last 14 meetings.[LNB]But the sense of consistent improvement and optimism after the eventual draw, would have been enough to keep the Blues and their fantastic travelling fans warm all the way back to Merseyside.[LNB]In a portent of things to come Everton had the ball in the net after only ten minutes. Fit-again Louis Saha pounced at the second attempt, but the French striker was clearly offside[LNB]For Everton's opener new-boy Landon Donvan stepped forward and fired an inch perfect corner into the Arsenal box, and Leon Osman confounded every inch of his 5ft 7in frame to beat William Gallas and fire a bullet header past Almunia.[LNB]It took a few moments to realise the leap and header had not been from Tim Cahill, such was the quality of its execution.
