A rib injury to Adebayor allowed Eduardo into the starting line up. He failed to make an impact in the first half however, Tim Howard equal to every one of his efforts. After a fine Rosicky strike Everton counter attacked their way to an equaliser. At half-time, Eduardo was replaced by Walcott who made an instant impact finishing from close range after Howards initial save, Moyes men again replied through a counter attacking goal but the best was yet to come as Walcott fired home from 25 yards to give Arsenal the advantage going into the second leg.
Saturday 9th January 2010
Mathieu Flamini placed on transfer list at his request.
Arsenal dominate the match from start finish, inspired by the return of Adebayor who nets his 25th and 26th League goals of the campaign by way of a deflected shot and a near post flick on from a van Persie corner. Eduardo puts in a man of the match performance playing in a supporting role behind Adebayor, finishing the match with 2 goals of his own. Theo Walcott also impresses, creating 2 goals before picking up a late thigh injury.
Adebayor bags himself another brace, taking his premiership tally to 28 goals in 20 appearances, despite testing Delgado in the Derby goal from long range on several occasions, he scores 2 aerial goals, finishing from a Daniel Alves cross and a van Persie corner yet again. Arsenal fans will have been glad to see the return of Cesc Fabregas who made a late substitute appearance after recovering from his thigh injury. Gunners go clear at the top after Liverpool defeat Man Utd 2-1.
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