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Everton miss opportunity to seal European place

04/05/2008

Everton have missed the chance to clinch a Uefa Cup spot after losing 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

A goal from Nicklas Bendtner 13 minutes from time gave the Gunners victory, meaning Everton remain three points ahead of Villa in fifth place.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger left out Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie, with youngsters Denilson, Alexander Song and Theo Walcott starting. Everton made one change with Tony Hibbert coming in for Yakubu, with Andrew Johnson playing as the lone striker.

The opening exchanges were a scrappy affair with the Gunners failing to ignite their slick passing game. The first chance of note came on 15 minutes when Walcott curled a right-foot effort narrowly wide.

Four minutes later, Gilberto should have broken the deadlock after Bendtner dinked in a cross but the Brazilian glanced his header wide.

The visitors seemed content with camping in their own half but nearly stunned Wenger's side with their first attack. Johnson was sent clear and his low shot was palmed away by Lukasz Fabianski, and Denilson was forced to hack the ball off the line from the resulting corner.

That sprung the home side back into action with Emmanuel Adebayor's shot saved by Tim Howard on the half hour mark, while Bendtner headed wide from a corner.

In the last action of the half, Gilberto was again guilty of spurning a good chance when the midfielder headed over the bar from close range.

The second half was dreary with the Gunners already having sealed third spot in the Premier League.

Joleon Lescott carved out the best chance on the hour mark with a left-foot shot from a tight angle that flew inches wide.

The Emirates stadium erupted into applause on 65 minutes when Jens Lehmann came on for his last home game for the club.

Seven minutes later, the Gunners broke the deadlock when an unmarked Bendtner rose to head in Armand Traore's pinpoint cross.

The game petered out in the closing stages meaning Everton have to wait another week to seal fifth spot.