A first half strike from Ross Barkley and a penalty on 22 minutes from Jose Baxter was enough to give Everton the points and a much deserved win at Underhill the home of Barnet against an Arsenal side that were second best to Everton on the night and finish the season nicely.
Arsenal were going to be a tough nut to crack not having lost a game since the 24th January but on the other hand Everton’s record was equally impressive having only lost once since the festive period.
Everton welcomed back Adam Forshaw back from his loan spell with Brentford.
Everton were the much brighter of the two teams in the opening stages with the famous Underhill slope to Everton’s advantage as Vellios met a Browning pass to be denied with a wonderful one handed save from Damian Martinez.
Adam Davies the Everton keeper was tested not long after as two Everton defenders were troubled by a dangerous run by Oghuzan Ozyakup but Davies turned away the effort.
Everton’s defence were looking solid as the Gunners were turning on the gas but on 18 minutes Everton got their noses in front with a lovely pass from Baxter who has been in fine form for the reserves in recent weeks set Barkley on his way and without panicking he kept a composed head to place a lovely shot beyond Martinez into the bottom corner of the net.
An immediate response from Ozyakup found Roberts with a delightful pass to see his headed effort sneak wide much to the relief of Davies.
4 minutes later and Everton’s lead was doubled as they were awarded a penalty after a scramble in the area, up stepped the captain Baxter who despatched his effort into the left hand corner and leave Martinez with no chance.
Thomas Eisfeld tried to restore hope for the home side only to see his acrobatic effort sail wide of the goal then just before the break Baxter tried an ambitious shot from a good 40 yards out and dipped just over the cross bar.
HALF TIME ARSENAL RES 0 EVERTON RES 2
The rain was the only change as the second half got underway with the same 22 restarting the game.
On the hour came the first real chance of the half which fell to Arsenal, Kyle Ebecillio and Phil Roberts both had chances but failed to convert.
Arsenal’s Swiss defender Angha was not too pleased with Baxter as his challenge was not appreciated to see an exchange of words take place between the two.
The two goal cushion left Everton in a very comfortable situation as the home side had to try and rally a way back but never really troubled Davies too much apart from a drive from distance from Thomas Eisfeld which Davies managed to tip way.
FULL TIME ARSENAL RES 0 EVERTON RES 2
Arsenal: Martinez, Angha, Meade, Miquel, Boateng, Ozyakup, Rees(Neita 68) Eisfeld, Ebecilio, Wynter (Bellerin 56), Roberts (Monteiro 80),Unused Subs: Shea, Hayden
Coach: Neil Banfield
Everton: Davies, Browning, Touray. Duffy, Dier, Lundstram, Forshaw(Orenuga 71), Barkley, Velios, Baxter (c),Junior Unused Subs: Fitzgibbon (GK), Hope, Pennnington
Coach: Alan Stubbs
Thanks to forum member Alan Ball for the report.