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Ronald Koeman: Everton boss mocks Arsene Wenger for referee comments - BBC News


Koeman mocks Wenger after Everton win

Everton manager Ronald Koeman mocked Arsene Wenger for questioning referee Mark Clattenburg's decision-making after the Toffees beat Arsenal 2-1.

Gunners boss Wenger felt a corner was incorrectly awarded in the lead-up to Ashley Williams' winner.

Koeman said: "I'm not surprised because it's the third [home game] in a row I won against Arsenal and three times in a row it was about the referee.

"I'm sorry Arsenal, we won through the referee," added the Dutchman.

Listen - Wenger critical of referee following Everton winner

Koeman's past two wins against Arsenal came while he was in charge of Southampton - a 4-0 victory in December 2015 and a 2-0 success 11 months earlier.

Wenger felt that a free-kick was headed behind by Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 84th minute rather than his marker Laurent Koscielny.

After Petr Cech then pushed behind Phil Jagielka's strike, Williams headed home from the resulting corner.

"It was not a corner," said Wenger. "It was a wrong decision. I am really disappointed because Clattenberg was in a very good position to see that they headed the ball out.

Everton have won the most points from losing positions in the Premier League this season (11)

"It is not the first time we were unlucky with his decisions this season but overall I don't want to talk about the referee.

"We have to look at ourselves, we lost the game. We started well and then maybe lost a bit of urgency."

Arsenal remain second in the Premier League, three points behind Chelsea, while victory for Everton ended a run of five games without a win and moved the Toffees up to seventh, four points behind fifth-placed Tottenham.

Koeman, whose side entertain Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Monday, added: "We know if we fight for every ball and we're aggressive then you see the reaction of the crowd and it's very difficult to win at Everton away."

Koeman v Wenger: The Premier League head-to-head

Everton showed big personality - Koeman

Wenger has failed to beat a Koeman side in each of the past four meetings.

When Southampton beat Arsenal 4-0 on Boxing Day 2015, Wenger said: "The first goal was offside, the second goal was a foul and the third goal was a goal-kick. If you're a bit below par and have the first three goals against you in the decision-making, then it's even more difficult."

And when the Saints won 2-0 in January the same year, he said after game: "We had chances today and we were a bit unlucky because when Sanchez was clean through at 2-0 I don't see how the referee couldn't give a red card. It's disappointing. It looks like he didn't get it right there."

Analysis

Former England winger Chris Waddle at Goodison Park for BBC Radio 5 live

Everton gave everything. They didn't play all that well but they grew in confidence as the game went on. When you're at home and you give 110% that's what the fans want to see.

They looked flat at the start and the crowd were moaning as the ball kept being passed back. But they turned it around.

Everton are a good side when they play with tempo but they do tend to turn off. Tonight though, they competed, and they got their rewards.

Arsenal will be very disappointed not to come away with anything.

Your reaction on #bbcfootball

Ray O'Brien: Got to say, as a Gooner, that was a great, old fashioned Premier League slug fest. Bit off the pace, but fair play Everton.

Abe Dein: The moment people start considering us serious contestants for the league, we do what we always do and prove them wrong! Typical!

Pascal van der Kamp: Here go all the Arsenal doubters. Incredible game, of which Arsenal were very much a part. They'll bounce back.

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