Everton registered their first win in nine Premier League games
Everton triumphed over Arsenal on Monday night, putting an end to the winless streak but did suffer some damage in the form of injury to Yerry Mina. When the lineups came out, there was an unfamiliar absentee, Lucas Digne. Reports have been circulating of a fallout between the player and the manager Rafa Benitez. The injury to Mina and the situation of Digne could pave way for Mason Holgate to step up in the team.
Everton were on a miserable run of form before the Arsenal game. There was fan unrest, anger towards the club hierarchy and the management. People were irked with Rafa Benitez, who was already walking on a tight rope since he decided to travel across Stanley Park.
A day before the game, Everton announced that Marcel Brands had left his position as Director of Football, making it clear that Benitez had the full backing of Farhad Moshiri and it was Brands who was the scapegoat. Was he the only person responsible for the mess and imbalance created? No.
The supporters had planned a 27th minute walkout as a symbol of resistance for the years of mismanagement and instability at the club. The dreary form multiplied the fan rage and powerful performance was needed at Goodison or the most ardent supporters would also start losing hope.