Everton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and final score as James Tarkowski stuns title favourites
Everton 1-0 Arsenal: Sean Dyche leads Everton to victory as Tarkowski’s goal lifts Toffees out of relegation zone against Premier League leaders
Everton leant heavily on their Burnley connection for a first win since October as Sean Dyche’s reign as manager got off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The ex-Clarets boss insisted he did not have any “magic dust” to sprinkle on a struggling squad - the only one not to be strengthened by a January signing - but the effect he had was immediate as another former resident of Turf Moor James Tarkowski headed the winner on the hour.
It was the centre-back’s first goal since joining from Burnley on a free in the summer - and his first since the opening day of last season - and ended a run of no wins in 10 matches in all competitions.
The great escape is most definitely on for Everton, who by virtue of their lunchtime kick-off, briefly moved out of the relegation zone with hope springing eternal at Goodison after 12 miserable months under previous manager Frank Lampard.
Defeat was Arsenal’s first since September, and only their second in the league, and opened the door for Manchester City to close the five-point gap at Tottenham on Sunday.
Relive all the action after Everton stunned Arsenal in the Premier League:
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
76 mins: Another Arsenal change - this one slightly surprising. Odegaard is replaced by Fabio Vieira.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
75 mins: It’s pinball in the Arsenal box! There’s further chaos from an Everton corner and the ball almost squirms in, before Arsenal hack away before Maupay blazes a shot over the crossbar.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
74 mins: Pickford collects well again, this time from Xhaka’s cross from the left. Arsenal have not responded since the goal and are barely causing Everton any problems.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
72 mins: Saka does well to skip past Mykolenko, but Onana - who has been excellent today - slides in to make the recovery challenge.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
69 mins: There’s some pushing and shoving between Maupay and Xhaka after Onana slid into White for a foul. That will suit Everton more than Arsenal, you would think.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
66 mins: Odegaard finds space to drive forward but Coady times his tackle well to recover the ball on the edge of the box. Arsenal work it wide to Saka, but Pickford collects his cross.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
64 mins: Arsenal are appealing for penalty after substitute Maupay crashes into Gabriel in the box. Nothing given.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
63 mins: A remarkable scoreline, and the Premier League leaders are behind. Huge moments coming up in the title race now, and Trossard and Jorginho must now help Arsenal come from behind.
GOAL! Everton 1-0 Arsenal (TARKOWSKI 60’)
WOOOW. Goodison Park erupts as Everton take lead against Arsenal! Tarkowski beats Odegaard to the header from McNeil’s corner! That is pure Dyche, and the first goal of his Everton spell is scored by a former Burnley man!
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