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
58 mins: Chance! Nketiah does well to work space down the left,before cutting it back to Odegaard inside the box. The first-time shot from Odegaard goes over the bar!
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
57 mins: There’s a double change coming for Arsenal! Trossard AND Jorginho about to come on.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
54 mins: There’s a bit more snap and fizz to Arsenal’s play now - their attacks are starting from deeper positions and Everton are being drawn out more, leaving more space for Arsenal to attack into. Still, coverting that into final-third chances is a different task.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
52 mins: Calvert-Lewin does really well to shake off Saliba and drag Everton up the pitch - but the attack comes to nothing as Zinchenko calmly knocks a cross back to Rasmdale.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
50 mins: There are no immediate changes from Arsenal after the break - but a flowing move from back to front ends in Xhaka’s shot being blocked by Onana.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
47 mins: Save! Gueye’s shot takes a big deflection, but Ramsdale gets across his goal to make the stop. The flag was up anyway, so that may not have counted.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
47 mins: Everton had more attempts against Arsenal than any other first half at Goodison Park this season. That’s the Dyche impact.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
46 mins: Back underway! No changes at the break.
HALF TIME! Everton 0-0 Arsenal
This is how close Everton got to taking the lead against Arsenal.
HALF TIME! Everton 0-0 Arsenal
An entertaining first half at Goodison Park, which has not followed what the form book would have suggested. Everton have put in a real fight under Sean Dyche and took the game to the Premier League leaders. They had three clear chances to take the lead in a competitive first half, but Arsenal also went close through Saka.
It’s probably the worst Arsenal have played all season, but Everton deserve credit for that.
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