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
90+2 mins: Chance! Arsenal pick out Zinchenko on the edge of the box with a clever corner. The full-back has to wait for the ball to cross his body, but the shot is sliced wide.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
90+1 mins: Onana has been huge for Everton today, as the midfielder wins a throw deep in Arsenal territory.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
89 mins: Zinchenko tries his luck from distance but slices the shot wide.
There will be six minutes added on.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
88 mins: Everton are doing everything possible to slow Arsenal down as they edge closer to the finishing line. This would be such a huge win in their fight to beat the drop.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
86 mins: Pickford is booked for time-wasting.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
85 mins: The frustration is starting to add up for Arsenal. Nketiah gives away a foul for a shove on Tarkowski. Tomiyasu replaces White.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
83 mins: Great play from Tarkowski to step in and beat Nketiah to the ball. It results in an Everton corner, which Arsenal are eventually able to clear.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
81 mins: Arsenal work the ball from right to left. It’s fed to Trossard, who comes inside and looks for the far post, but his shot is well wide.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
79 mins: Xhaka makes a run down the left and hoists a cross to the back post. It breaks to Saka, but with a defender sliding in the Arsenal forward can’t keep his shot down on his right foot.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
78 mins: Trossard works a yard of space just inside the Everton box - he takes the shot which wobbles in the air and is beaten away by Pickford.
That might be the first proper save the Everton keeper has had to make.
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