EVERTON produced a display of character and defiance to reduce Arsenal to a frustrated bunch who had Cesc Fabregas sent off in injury time. James Beattie put Everton ahead in the first half and could easily have had a couple more as the Gunners wilted against the belligerence of the Toffees who have now gone six matches unbeaten and won their last four in the Premiership.

Arsenal never enjoyed for one moment this fierce examination of their courage and they were reduced to continual mistakes under constant hounding. Thierry Henry, in search of the goal that would give him Arsenal's all time league scoring record, was a peripheral figure as Everton battled their way to their first win over the Gunners since a 16-year-old Wayne Rooney struck a miracle winner at Goodison Park in 2002.

Everton fielded the same side that beat Millwall in the FA Cup replay in midweek, but had Duncan Ferguson back on the bench and the returning Alan Stubbs . . . after just six months with Sunderland . . . was also a substitute.

Arsenal had Sol Campbell back in defence but Pascal Cygan and Gael Clichy missed out. It meant Lauren switched to left back and Kerrea Gilbert came in at right back.

Gilbert, 18, looked understandably nervous on his league debut as Everton worked his flank with James Beattie and Kevin Kilbane testing his resolve. But the youngster, when Beattie had been played in behind the Arsenal defence, produced pace and a well-timed tackle in the box to avert the danger.

Then he got down the right to play in a fine low cross that Freddie Ljungberg flung himself at. Nigel Martyn pushing his effort onto the post and Fabregas' follow-up effort was headed away by Tony Hibbert.

But Everton broke straight from that let-off to score in the 13th minute. Tim Cahill's ball was chased by Beattie, who bustled between Campbell and Philippe Senderos to stab a shot past Jens Lehmann.

Arsenal hit back with Fabregas seeing a 12-yard shot superbly saved by Martyn, but Beattie should have had another when Everton's hounding in midfield produced a back pass from Fabregas that Lehmann had no hope of reaching. Beattie surged onto the ball and from the edge of the box tried a chip to dropped just wide of the left-hand post.

Then Matteo Ferrari was caught by a Robert Pires tackle and clearly damaged a muscle. That signalled the return of Stubbs, to a rousing reception, as a substitute. He came on as Everton were beginning to really unsettle the Gunners with their all-action midfield display. Cahill and Phil Neville were at the heart of the action.

It meant Arsenal's defending in the first half was littered with misplaced passing under pressure as they searched in vain for the spot of genius that Henry can provide. Everton's fiery approach was something Arsenal clearly did not enjoy, and Beattie had another effort disallowed for offside and was then booked for a foul on Pires.

Arsenal had far more resolve after the break and Henry burst into life to see a shot deflected wide. Everton's only way of maintaining their lead was more of the same from the first period . . . strong tackling and hard running to nullify the skill factor of Arsenal.

Nuno Valente was booked for a foul on Reyes as a string of free-kicks started to go Arsenal's way, much to the anger of the home crowd. But Leon Osman almost set up Beattie with a close range shooting chance but Campbell's fine saving tackle conceded a corner, from which Cahill headed narrowly over.

Gilberto was booked for a foul on Cahill before Alexander Hleb was sent on in place of youngster Gilbert, with Ljungberg moving to right back. Beattie should have scored again with 10 minutes left after a shocking header from Campbell went straight to him but his shot hit Lauren and bounced inches wide of a post with Lehmann helpless.

With five minutes left, and Arsenal becoming increasingly frustrated by their failure to create a serious second half chance, Everton sent on Ferguson for Arteta to make their day even more uncomfortable.

In injury time Cahill got involved with Henry and a furious pack of players descended on the incident.

Fabregas rushed in to slap Cahill and was sent off. Cahill and Tony Hibbert were also booked in the incident.

The returning Stubbs commented after the game that he believes Everton can maintain their current run of good form, saying, "I didn't expect to be pushed in that quick but it's amazing what happens when you come back to a club.

We know Arsenal will pass you to death but I thought we produced a great performance.

The former captain added:

"We've always been in a false position this season but in the last four to six games we have been pushing in the right direction. And today's performance is one we know will kick us on from."

Beattie added: "We always knew it was going to be hard against Arsenal . . . they are the best passing team in the country. I don't think the officials helped themselves today but we got the three points and that's all that matters."

Boss David Moyes said: "It was a top performance . . . and it's been coming. It always a big result when you can win and play before everyone else.

We've been turned over by Arsenal recently so it's a great result."

The Scot continued: "We've always tried to play like that but if Arsenal are on their day you can try it and it won't work. But today we were on our game and limited them to not too many opportunities.

"I thought we were great, from the boys at the the back right through . . . and you have to be against Arsenal because they are winners. But we were determined to hang on. The players are coming into the sort of form we believed they had. And confidence is a big thing . . . we are on a run now and it's much easier to be a manager when you are winning than when you are losing."