by
New Everton manager Sean Dyche enjoyed a dream start as a much-improved side deservedly edged out Premier League leaders Arsenal at a raucous Goodison Park.
Dyche was appointed as boss last Monday following the departure of Frank Lampard, who was sacked with Everton in the relegation zone.
But the hosts picked up their first victory in 11 games in all competitions courtesy of a link-up between two men who played for Dyche at Burnley.
Centre-half James Tarkowski rose at the far post to power home a header from Dwight McNeil’s corner to spark the sort of joyous scenes that have been witnessed rarely at Goodison this term.
Everton had enjoyed much the better chances in the opening period too, but striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could not convert from the excellent Amadou Onana’s low cross and also flicked a header wide.
Arsenal were outfought for large periods and failed to find any rhythm, although January signing Leandro Trossard forcing Jordan Pickford into a sharp save late on.
The Gunners were unable to find the leveller and will see their lead at the top cut to two points if champions Manchester City beat Tottenham on Sunday.
More to follow.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Line-ups
Everton
Formation 4-5-1
- 1PickfordBooked at 86mins
- 23Coleman
- 30Coady
- 2Tarkowski
- 19MykolenkoBooked at 63mins
- 7McNeil
- 16Doucouré
- 27Gueye
- 8OnanaBooked at 69mins
- 17Iwobi
- 9Calvert-LewinSubstituted forMaupayat 62′minutesBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 4Holgate
- 11Gray
- 13Mina
- 15Begovic
- 20Maupay
- 22Godfrey
- 26Davies
- 29Vinagre
- 50Simms
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Ramsdale
- 4WhiteSubstituted forTomiyasuat 85′minutes
- 12Saliba
- 6Gabriel
- 35ZinchenkoBooked at 90mins
- 8ØdegaardSubstituted forFábio Vieiraat 77′minutes
- 5ParteySubstituted forJorginhoat 59′minutes
- 34Xhaka
- 7Saka
- 14Nketiah
- 11MartinelliSubstituted forTrossardat 59′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Tierney
- 15Kiwior
- 16Holding
- 18Tomiyasu
- 19Trossard
- 20Jorginho
- 21Fábio Vieira
- 30Turner
- 85Cozier-Duberry
- Referee:
- David Coote
- Attendance:
- 39,314
Live Text
-
Match ends, Everton 1, Arsenal 0.
-
Second Half ends, Everton 1, Arsenal 0.
-
Foul by Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal).
-
Neal Maupay (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.
-
Neal Maupay (Everton) is shown the yellow card.
-
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Neal Maupay (Everton).
-
Foul by Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
-
Idrissa Gueye (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Attempt missed. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Bukayo Saka following a corner.
-
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Vitaliy Mykolenko.
-
Attempt missed. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by William Saliba.
-
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Idrissa Gueye.
-
Jordan Pickford (Everton) is shown the yellow card.
-
Substitution, Arsenal. Takehiro Tomiyasu replaces Ben White.
-
Foul by Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal).
-
James Tarkowski (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Attempt saved. Neal Maupay (Everton) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
-
Hand ball by James Tarkowski (Everton).
- Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – here’s everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
