There are no awards for finishing in fifth place in the Barclays Premier League but, for Everton, it would represent a significant achievement - to be the best of the rest outside the big four. Perhaps there should be a “Fighting Fifth Trophy”. Everton, though, will have to wait before they can collect it.

Needing a draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium yesterday to repel the threat from Aston Villa, they fell to a slender defeat after an uninspiring performance. They can secure that point - and the Uefa Cup place that goes with it - at home to Newcastle United on Sunday. Villa, with the same goal difference as Everton, could yet steal a march on them if they win well against West Ham United at Upton Park. Yet the odds would appear to favour the Merseyside club setting out on their third continental campaign in four years. This season, they reached the round of 16 in the Uefa Cup before losing to Fiorentina.

David Moyes, the Everton manager, is not keen to tempt fate. Asked what another European ticket would mean, he replied: “I don’t really want to answer that yet, but I’m confident that the players can do it. We’ve enjoyed it so much in Europe this season that we’d love to do it again.

“I was quite pleased by our performance today, just disappointed by the result. Arsenal’s possession can hurt you and if you try to be bolder, then you give them the space to play even more. Defensively, we did well. I don’t think they had many chances. If you had given me a three-point lead [for fifth place] going into the last game, I’d have taken it. That’s a good position to be in. It’s down to us to get a positive result against Newcastle.” Arsenal, one of the big four who Everton are striving to catch, booked a safe passage into Europe a while ago, and in the Champions League, too. But, if they are to make an impression in the competition next season, they will have to do it without Jens Lehmann, the Germany goalkeeper.

With his contract expiring this summer, Lehmann has opted to leave the club that have been his home for five years. In recognition of his service - most notably during the unbeaten season of the “Invincibles” in 2003-04 - Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, gave him 20 minutes yesterday as a replacement for Lukasz Fabianski.

Lehmann waved to the supporters and, after the final whistle, returned to the centre circle. He smiled, applauded, bowed and blew kisses. Not that all of his career at Highbury and the Emirates has been sweetness and light.

“Yes, it was a farewell and a good-bye,” Wenger said. “It was to show respect for what Jens has done for us. He is not always an easy character and he would lose his temper, but he got better and better for us and has been fully committed.”

Robin van Persie and Cesc Fàbregas were ruled out because of injury yesterday. Alexander Hleb, who was suspended, was also absent. Hleb has been the subject of public overtures from Roberto Mancini, the Inter Mi-lan coach, and Arsenal are expected to report the Italian club to Uefa. “I have to check the situation first,” Wenger said. “We are not very happy with Inter. They cannot do what they have done. If I want a player from Real Madrid, I call them. It is disrespectful.”

Arsenal, who completed the season unbeaten at home in all competitions, gained a third successive win with a goal from Nicklas Bendtner, who started the move and finished it when he powered in a header from Armand Traoré’s cross. Everton, though as competitive as usual, fell short of their objective. At least they can have another stab at “Fighting Fifth” on Sunday.

How they rated

Arsenal (4-4-2): L Fabianski 6 K Touré 6 W Gallas 6 A Song 6 G Clichy 6 E Eboué 6 Gilberto Silva 6 Denilson 5 T Walcott 5 E Adebayor 5 N Bendtner 6 Substitutes: J Lehmann 5 (for Fabianski, 70min), A Traoré 6 (for Touré, 70), P Senderos (for Adebayor, 87). Not used: J Djourou, K Gibbs. Next: Sunderland (a).

Everton (4-4-1-1): T Howard 6 A Hibbert 6 J Yobo 6 P Jagielka 7 J Lescott Y 6 M Fernandes 5 L Carsley 6 P Neville 5 L Osman 5 S Pienaar 6 A Johnson 5 Substitutes: V Anichebe (for Johnson, 82min), Yakubu Ayegbeni (for Carsley, 82), L Baines (for Fernandes, 90). Not used: S Wessels, J Rodwell. Next: Newcastle United (h).

Referee: A Wiley
Attendance: 60,123