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 0-0 Arsenal
45+3 mins: CHANCE! Everton go close again, just before half time! Coleman’s cross finds Calvert-Lewin, who drops in between Saliba and Partey. The striker makes a good contact with the header, but the ball just fades away from the far post!
Ramsdale was beaten.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
45+2 mins: Coleman knocks a ball back to Pickford and the Everton goalkeeper has to clear on the volley with Nketiah sliding in.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
45 mins: There will be three minutes of added time.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
42 mins: Arsenal have woken up in the last five minutes or so, and are finishing the half the stronger side. That said, Everton are still competing well and certainly deserve to be in this game as we approach half time.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
38 mins: OFF THE LINE! So close from Saka! Zinchenko whips a deep cross from the left that Saka meets on the volley. He guides the shot towards the far post but Coady reads it and hacks away, with Pickford beaten!
Coady read that so well, dropping back to the line as Saka shaped to shoot.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
37 mins: The match settles down again after that flurry of chances. It’s somehow still 0-0, and Everton have come closest to taking the lead so far. They’ve been the better team.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
33 mins: CHANCE! Another huge opportunity for Everton! McNeil works a yard and whips in a cross to Doucoure. Saliba should clear but slips, giving the Everton midfielder a free header in front of the posts - but he glances wide!
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
32 mins: CLOSE! Everton should be ahead! It’s brilliant from Onana, who opens his legs and strides away from Odegaard down the left wing. He takes it into the box and squares for Calvert-Lewin, who can’t reach the ball as he slides in!
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
29 mins: Chance! Arsenal’s best opportunity of the match so far. Saka does well on the right and feeds the ball back inside to Nketiah. The striker works a yard of space with a good first touch, bursting away from Tarkowski. The angle was tight but Nketiah lashes high and wide, failing to test Pickford.
Given his form, you’d expect a lot more from Nketiah there. Arteta certainly did, as he turns away in disappointment.
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