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
27 mins: Saka is being booed every time he touches the ball. The winger looked for Nketiah with a cross after Partey switched play, but Coady heads clear. Calvert-Lewin then does well to hold the ball up and get Everton up the pitch.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
24 mins: Calvert-Lewin tries the snap-shot from the angle, but it’s saved by Ramsdale. After Arsenal clear Onana tries his luck from distance and isn’t too far away. Everton then press Arsenal high up the pitch and win it back well. The Gunners are in a real fight here against the Premier League strugglers.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
22 mins: Arsenal clear the third corner but it’s quite obvious already that this is a Dyche team. Calvert-Lewin then heads wide at the front post.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
21 mins: Saliba defends the first inswinger well at the back post, beating Onana to the ball. From the other side, another inswinger finds Tarkowski and Saliba makes the block! Everton putting the pressure on...
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
20 mins: Iwobi swings a cross into the box towards Calvert-Lewin, and Saliba is forced to head it behind for a corner. That lifts the crowd and up goes Coady and Tarkowski...
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
18 mins: Arsenal were able to make some nice combinations early in the match, between Odegaard, Zinchenko and Martinelli down the left, but it’s dried up in the last 10 minutes or so. Everton are frustrating them.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
17 mins: Saka is still squinting but he’s back on and continuing.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
16 mins: Saka has a problem, after catching an outstretched hand from Gueye into his left eye. The Arsenal medical team are looking at it on the pitch.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
13 mins: The game is set up well, and the Everton crowd are well up for the challenge of taking on the Premier League leaders. An early Arsenal goal would be important, but Everton look organised.
Everton 0-0 Arsenal
11 mins: Saka rolls the ball back to Partey on the edge of the box. The midfielder goes for his trademark side-foot shot, but Pickford is equal to it.
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