Everton 3-0 Arsenal: Naismith and Lukaku on target for riotous Toffees as Gunners found wanting again against a major rival

Arsene Wenger did his best to maintain a brave face. He spoke calmly, congratulated Everton and tried to offer an explanation for Arsenal’s latest capitulation.

As he sat in Goodison Park’s press auditorium, however, Wenger looked a broken man. So often this pioneering Frenchman could be relied upon to come up with the right answers in big games but now he looks to be flailing in the dark.

A dreadful two months for Wenger culminated with Everton wrestling the initiative in the race for fourth place with one of the finest performances the home supporters have seen this century.

Strikes from Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku before half-time were followed by an own goal from Mikel Arteta midway through the second period to give Everton a win that did not flatter them in the slightest.

Going for four: Romelu Lukaku shows the place he thinks Everton can make after Everton's 3-0 win over Arsenal

Double trouble: Romelu Lukaku and Steve Naismith scored Everton's opening two goals against Arsenal

Over and out: Everton captain Leon Osman goes in for a challenge against Arsenal's Bacary Sagna

Wrong way: Osman signals he's hurt after a tackle for which he received a booking

Blood bin: The midfielder leaves the field bleeding and is replaced by Ross Barkley

Cool and calm: In-form Steven Naismith swoops in on the rebound and slots in Everton's opener

Pounced: Wojciech Szczesny couldn't handle Lukaku's initial shot and it fell perfectly for well-placed Naismith

On song: Naismith celebrates his second in two matches after his strike finished off Fulham in their last start

They were outstanding, tormenting Arsenal with fast counter-attacking, slick passing and relentless work. The ball zipped between the lines, prompting the Gwladys Street to holler ‘Ole!’ with each pass. Everton were the matadors, Arsenal the wounded bulls.

On the touchline, Everton manager Roberto Martinez masterminded operations, constantly pointing and barking orders. He promised Champions League football when he arrived at Goodison last June and is six wins from delivering that dream.

Wenger, by contrast, remained rooted to his seat in the dugout, only once coming out to make his presence felt. It was as if he no longer knew what to do to stop the wave washing over his team.

It has happened too often in recent weeks to be considered ‘one of those things’. The final score may not have been so crushing but this defeat was as bad as the maulings Arsenal suffered at Stamford Bridge and Anfield. You have to wonder how they can recover.

Wenger is proud of leading Arsenal into the Champions League for 16 straight years but that record is under threat. Martinez suggested in the build-up that whichever side lost here would suffer a ‘huge psychological blow’ and that is what Wenger looked to have sustained.

‘We did not start too badly but we need to defend much better,’ said Wenger. ‘It is a massive worry to lose a game like this. We have to come back with a different attitude.’

Match facts

Everton: Howard 6.5, Baines 8, Distin 7, Stones 8, Coleman 7, McCarthy 7.5, Barry 7, Osman 6 (Barkley 10' - 9), Naismith 6.5 (McGeady 81'), Mirallas 8, Lukaku 8 (Deulofeu 86')

Subs not used: Robles, Hibbert, Garbutt, Alcaraz

Goals: Naismith, Lukaku, Arteta (OG)

Booked: Osman

Manager: Roberto Martinez 8

Arsenal: Szczesny 6, Sagna 6.5, Mertesacker 6, Vermaelen 6, Monreal 5, Arteta 5.5, Flamini 5.5 (Ramsey 66' - 6), Rosicky 5.5, Cazorla 5, Podolski 5 (Oxlade-Chamerlain 66' - 6), Giroud 4.5 (Sanogo 71' - 6)

Subs not used: Viviano, Jenkinson, Bellerin, Kallstrom

Booked: Arteta, Flamini

Manager: Arsene Wenger 5

Ref: Martin Atkinson 6.5

Attendance: 39,504

Man of the match: Barkley

*Player ratings by Sportsmail's JOHN EDWARDS at Goodison Park