Arsenal’s faint Premier League title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow as they were held to a draw at Everton.
The result means leaders Liverpool require only 11 points from their remaining eight games – starting with Fulham on Sunday – to guarantee themselves the title.
The first half an hour was a tetchy, stop-start affair but Arsenal broke the deadlock on 34 minutes with the first shot on target of the contest as Leandro Trossard drilled home a cool finish on the counter following Raheem Sterling’s pass.
Goalscorer Trossard could have doubled his tally on the stroke of half-time but his toe-poked effort was scrambled away by Jordan Pickford, while Declan Rice’s follow-up was blocked.
Everton equalised when they were awarded a penalty a minute into the second half – Myles Lewis-Skelly bundling over Jack Harrison inside the box and Iliman Ndiaye nervelessly stroking in the spot-kick.
The Toffees were rejuvenated after a poor first half showing and Abdoulaye Doucoure forced David Raya into a sharp save low down while at the other end, Rice’s thunderous free-kick was batted away by England team-mate Pickford.
Neither side were able to find a winning goal as Everton provided a boost to local rivals Liverpool by claiming a point.
