Dyche in Dream Start as Everton Dent Arsenal’s Smooth Run
PREMIER LEAGUE
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New manager Sean Dyche enjoyed a dream start as a much-improved Everton side stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal 1-0 at a raucous Goodison Park.
Dyche was appointed last Monday following the departure of Frank Lampard, who was sacked with the team in the relegation zone.
And 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 forced 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.
Setting up in a 4-5-1 formation, Everton snapped into tackles and gave high-flying Arsenal no room to breathe – with Vitalii Mykolenko’s late challenge on captain Martin Odegaard in the second minute setting the tone.
The home side’s pressing and ferocious tackling was epitomised by Belgium midfielder Onana, who made more tackles – four – than any other player on the pitch, with each challenge greeted by a roar from the home fans.
Calvert-Lewin could possibly have done better with his chances but could not find the target, while Abdoulaye Doucoure – restored to the team after a falling out with Lampard had led to him being omitted – sent a free header wide.
It did not cost them though, as Tarkowski nodded in at the back post on the hour mark before wheeling off to celebrate a goal that ended a run of four consecutive home defeats with a statement win.
It was just their fourth league victory in 21 games this season, taking them out of the relegation zone by a point, but they could return to the bottom three depending on other results this weekend.
Arsenal have swept aside almost everyone put in front of them this season, but this is a major setback for Mikel Arteta and his team.
The free-flowing football that has lifted them to the top of the table was absent and they did not look like scoring after falling behind, succumbing to their second league loss of the campaign.
