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Everton 1-0 Arsenal: James Tarkowski stuns league leaders as Sean Dyche wins first game in charge


Arsenal blew the chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as Everton got the Sean Dyche era off to a flyer with a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

The Blues showed real intensity and organisation throughout the contest and deservedly secured just a fourth win of the league campaign through James Tarkowski’s header on the hour.

The hosts belied their lowly position right from the off with Dominic Calvert-Lewin twice going close in a high-tempo first half.

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Arsenal struggled to find the silky rhythm that has been a feature of their style this season, but the visitors did have their moments as Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka threatened.

Everton continued to look the more likely throughout the second half and deservedly took the lead on 60 minutes.

It was a goal made in Burnley as Dyche’s former players Dwight McNeil and Tarkowski combined, with the latter heading home a right-wing corner.

Arsenal had earlier wasted a gilt-edged chance when Martin Odegaard blazed over and they almost rescued a draw but substitute Leandro Trossard could not find a way past Jordan Pickford.

The result means Arsenal remain five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, having played 20 games apiece. Pep Guardiola’s champions can cut the gap to just two points on Sunday if they win at Tottenham.

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The victory sees Everton end a run of four home league defeats in a row and moves them up to 17th spot ahead of the rest of the weekend’s action.

Next up for the Toffees, it’s the small matter of a Merseyside derby at Anfield on Monday, February 13. Arsenal host Brentford next Saturday.

Talking point –

The Sean Dyche effect

Ahead of the match Everton supporters directed their frustration at the club’s board with a peaceful protest march while a plane was seen overhead early in the contest carrying a banner that read: ‘League’s worst run club #Time2goBill”

It did not impact the support shown to the players and their new manager when the action got underway and there were plenty of reasons for optimism for Blues fans in terms of what they could achieve on the pitch in the weeks and months ahead.

Everton have looked like a team on a one-way trip to the Championship for much of this campaign, but the Dyche effect was clear from the off against Mikel Arteta’s title hopefuls.

The desire was evident as well as a simple but effective game-plan, with the quality of set pieces particularly notable.

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If Everton can sustain and build upon this then there will be renewed belief they can pull themselves out of danger.

As for Arsenal, they were clearly far from their best as they saw a 13-game unbeaten run in the league come to an end. Goodison Park has not been a happy hunting ground for them in recent years and they will be keen to cast this aside as a mere blip.

Arteta did hand a debut to Jorginho from the bench but it was a difficult game for him to have an impact on given how below par the visitors were. The focus now must be on bouncing back against Brentford with a crunch home clash with Man City just four days later on February 15.

Player of the match –

Amadou Onana (Everton)

Epitomised the energy, desire and industry required to be part of a Dyche side. Demonstrated his quality on the ball in what was arguably his best showing since arriving at Everton from Lille.

Player Ratings

EVERTON: Pickford 7, Coleman 8, Coady 8, Tarkowski 8, Mykolenko 8, McNeil 8, Doucoure 8, Gueye 8, Onana 9, Iwobi 8, Calvert-Lewin 7. Subs: Maupay 6.

ARSENAL: Ramsdale 7, White 7, Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Zinchenko 6, Partey 6, Odegaard 6, Xhaka 6, Saka 6, Nketiah 6, Martinelli 6. Subs: Trossard 6, Jorginho 6, Vieira 6, Tomiyasu n/a.

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Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary

Match Highlights

30’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Nketiah rifles wide of the near post after taking Saka’s pass in his stride, beating his man and taking aim from a tight angle on the right side of the area.

34’ – EVERTON CHANCES! Onana bursts down the left and charges into the area. He rolls a delicious ball into the six-yard box but Calvert-Lewin can’t stretch enough to divert it home on the slide. Everton come again down the left flank and Doucoure ghosts into acres of space in the box but contrives to miscue his free header wide from McNeil’s pinpoint cross.

40’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Saka meets a left-wing cross with a low volley but is disappointed to see Coady well-placed too clear it off the line.

45+3’ – EVERTON CHANCE! Calvert-Lewin flicks a header wide of the far post from Coleman’s devilish cross.

58’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Nketiah dances past two on the left and lays the ball back for Odegaard, who blazes a first-time shoot over the bar. That was a big opportunity.

60’ – GOAL! – Everton 1-0 Arsenal. Tarkowski heads home McNeil’s deep right-wing corner at the far post.

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78’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Trossard lets fly from the left side of the area but Pickford is there to beat it to safety.

Key Stats

Tarkowski scored his first ever goal for Everton in his 23rd game for the club.

Everton won their first game since 22nd October 2022, when they beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at home. That was 105 days ago.

Only Pep Guardiola (6), Jurgen Klopp (5) and Dean Smith (3) have won more games against Mikel Arteta than Sean Dyche (2).

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