The prevailing thought heading into Everton's match against Arsenal today was that the Toffees were set to get run out of their own building, something that has happened in their only losses on their new ground so far this year.
And yet, Everton lost just 1-0, with the lone goal coming on an Arsenal penalty in the first half. Both sides looked slow and uninspired in the first 45 minutes, and yet the spot kick was enough to give the Gunners the lead.
The penalty came on an absolutely mind-boggling moment from Everton defender Jake O'Brien. Off an Arsenal corner, the Ireland international jumped to knock the ball away from Arsenal left back Riccardo Calafiori. The only problem was that O'Brien had his hands raised above his head, and the corner struck him on the way through.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres stung the ball past Jordan Pickford to secure the lead for the visitors, although the rest of the half saw neither side produce much of anything in response.
The second half saw Arsenal begin to take control of the game. The Gunners saw Bukayo Saka have a shot saved off the line by James Tarkowski in the 51st minute, and it appeared they were looking to take control of the match.
However, in the 57th minute, it looked for all the world that Everton were about to get a lifeline.
A ball came into the box toward Thierno Barry, and bounced around for a moment, before hitting up into the air. The Everton striker got a toe on the ball, but immediately after, Arsenal center back William Saiba kicked through Barry's leg as he was going after the ball as well.
The Frenchman never made contact with the ball and clearly struck his countrymen's foot in the air, sending Barry to the floor. And yet VAR intervened and decided that the contact was "not sufficient" for a penalty.
Neither side would score again, although Arsenal hit the post twice through Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi. The visitors were certainly the more dangerous side in the second half.
Everton got nothing from the game, in spite of what should have been a chance to equalize from the spot. The match hardly deserved a winner, although credit goes to Arsenal for hanging on after their goal.
The Toffees were undone by an unforced error, something you cannot do against quality opponents. They'll travel to Burnley next Saturday to try to right the ship.