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 vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta to BT Sport: “We’ve had a really good window and now we move on and focus on the game, and getting the win. We have a big task today, they are going to ask us a lot of questions, new manager, new environment.
“It’s always really tough. Our record here in recent years is not great so we have to put that to bed.”
Everton vs Arsenal
Sean Dyche to BT Sport: “It takes time, and I’ve got to earn the respect to build it. But we’ve got to get results. We have a lot of work [to do]. We’ve had a couple of knocks. Demarai hasn’t trained this week. We’ll see [if it’s 4-4-2].
“They are a fine side. Our challenge is different. It’s about the performance today. We’ve tried to cram a pre-season of work into a week, which is hard. The players have taken a lot in and I want to see that in our performance.”
Everton vs Arsenal: Toffees supporters protest outside Goodison Park
Everton vs Arsenal
Everton fans out in force ahead of kick-off.
Big protests, signs reading: “Board Full Of Liars”.
Another has the faces of those on board: “For those below... It’s time to go.”
Fans now marching outside the ground, not ideal for Sean Dyche's first game in charge.
But this was never really about Frank Lampard failing.
Mohamed Elneny: Arsenal midfielder undergoes surgery after knee injury
Arsenal have confirmed that Mohamed Elneny will be out for an ‘extended period of time’ after the midfielder underwent surgery on an injured knee.
Elneny has missed Arsenal’s last two Premier League outings – victories over north London rivals Tottenham and most recently Manchester United – and the league leaders have now revealed that the Egypt international’s injury is ‘significant.’
As such, Elneny will be sidelined for a lengthy spell for the second time this season, following a two-month absence between September and November due to a thigh issue.
Arsenal provide Mohamed Elneny injury update
The midfielder has been ruled out for the Premier League leaders for an ‘extended period of time’
Everton vs Arsenal: Official line-ups
Everton XI: Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Onana, Gueye; Iwobi, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Everton vs Arsenal team news
Sean Dyche will be without the injured Nathan Patterson, Ben Godfrey and Michael Keane for his first match in charge. Dwight McNeil is set for a recall to Everton’s starting line-up, with Demarai Gray likely to start alongside Dominic Calvert Lewin in attack. .
Arsenal are hopeful that Thomas Partey will be fit to start in midfield after he had to undergo an MRI scan following the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, while Jorginho is expected to be included in the squad following his deadline day move from Chelsea. Emile Smith Rowe has been ruled out.
Sean Dyche explains plans to ‘remodel’ Everton
New Everton manager Sean Dyche wants to “remodel” the club but his first priority is finding reinforcements in the final few hours of the transfer window.
The former Clarets boss, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, is looking to bring in a couple of players in the next 24 hours to bolster a squad low on confidence which has just lost Anthony Gordon to Newcastle but has yet to have any new additions this month.
“Straight away I was working with Kevin (Thelwell, director of football) about the lists, the players. We’ve already had a look at some,” he said.
Sean Dyche explains plans to ‘remodel’ Everton
The former Clarets boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract
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