Arsenal lead Everton at half-time after Ezri Konsa strikes from a corner

Arsenal took a 1-0 lead over Everton at half-time in Premier League week eight after Ezri Konsa converted from a corner.

The opening goal came when Martin Odegaard delivered from the right. Everton’s defence failed to clear the cross and the ball fell to Konsa, who finished with a first-time effort in front of goal.

Arsenal controlled possession during the first half, recording 57% to Everton’s 43% before later increasing their share to 58%. They also registered 11 shots to Everton’s two.

Everton responded with several attacks of their own. James Garner tested David Raya from outside the penalty area, but the Arsenal goalkeeper saved comfortably. Thierno Barry also tried to take advantage of a misplaced pass by Ben White, although Raya came off his line to deal with the danger.

Tyrique George saw a shot from the left side of the penalty area blocked by the Arsenal defence, while a cross from the Everton player was also cut out. Kieran Dewsbury-Hall sent a corner towards the near post, but Declan Rice cleared it.

Arsenal continued to create the clearer openings. Noni Madueke sent an effort just wide of the left post before moving into the penalty area and shooting narrowly past the right upright. Eberechi Eze fired wide from inside the box after receiving a short pass, while his long-range attempt later deflected behind for a corner.

Mikel Merino missed a good chance when he met an accurate cross with a header but sent the ball over the bar. He also attempted a through ball from the edge of the area, though Merlin Rohl intervened to remove the threat.

Odegaard was central to much of Arsenal’s attacking play. The captain beat an opponent before striking a powerful shot that was deflected for a corner, and he later tested Everton from distance with an effort that was covered by a defender. His deliveries from set pieces repeatedly caused problems, although Jordan Pickford dealt with several of them, including one cross he punched clear.

Rice also supplied dangerous corners, with Vitali Mykolenko heading one behind for another corner. An additional delivery reached a crowd of defenders, who cleared it, while Rice saw a shot from the edge of the box blocked.

Everton defended another Madueke cross with a timely intervention, and Mykolenko stopped the Arsenal winger from progressing down the right before the ball went out for a throw-in. Eze also tried to find Victor Gyokeres with a pass inside the area, but an alert defender intercepted it.

Everton were shown a yellow card following a heavy challenge on White in the defensive half. An offside decision was also given against Barry, while Miles Lewis-Skelly won a free-kick after being fouled by Brennan Johnson.

The referee added two minutes of stoppage time.