James Tarkowski embodied Everton's new-found spirit by powerfully heading the Toffees to victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.
The centre-back, reunited with former Burnley manager Sean Dyche at Goodison Park, held off Martin Odegaard before finishing beyond Aaron Ramsdale on the hour mark. Everton showed all of the desire and quality that evaded them towards the end of Frank Lampard's tenure, relentlessly pressing their visitors, who lacked their usual fluency on Merseyside.
Bukayo Saka had the best chance of the match for the Gunners but saw his volley cleared off the line by Conor Coady, while Jordan Pickford stood firm in the face of a late barrage. The result gets Dyche's reign off to the best possible start after a 105-day winless run for Everton - and deals a painful blow to Arsenal's title chances.
Here are five talking points from a momentous afternoon at Goodison Park.
1. #Time2GoBill
It is never a good sign when a banner is flown over a stadium.
It can only point to serious discontentment among the fan base, and there has been no shortage of anger among the Everton faithful in recent weeks. Supporters have grown entirely disillusioned with the running of the club by chairman Bill Kenwright and have staged sit-in protests while calling for change as the Toffees face another relegation battle.
In the opening minutes of the fixture against Arsenal, a banner was dragged by a plane over Goodison Park which read, "League's worst run club #Time2GoBill," referencing Jamie Carragher's claim that Everton have the worst power hierarchy in the top flight.
As for the early action on the pitch, the best chance fell to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was smothered by Aaron Ramsdale from close range before the linesman's flag went up for offside.
2. Everton emerge
The impact of the new-manager bounce was clear for all to see at Goodison Park throughout the first half.
Fans can rightly wonder where this energy and endeavour was towards the end of Frank Lampard's reign after witnessing Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure relentlessly press Arsenal's high defensive line. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a threat up top and Alex Iwobi was a menace on the left wing, remarkably causing more issues for Benjamin White than Gabriel Martinelli did for veteran Seamus Coleman on the other flank.
Bukayo Saka was unusually quiet while Eddie Nketiah had seldom few chances - blasting high and wide when played in by his fellow Englishman - though his hold-up play helped Arsenal escape Everton's high press. Sean Dyche can be pleased with what he saw from his side, who should have taken the lead after Onana surged down the wing and squared to Calvert-Lewin, who could only nudge wide while at full stretch.
Seconds later, Doucoure got in front of his man and got his free header from Dwight McNeil's cross all wrong with the goal gaping. Dyche could not hide his exasperation on the touchline as another chance went begging.
3. Bukayo blocked
Arsenal waited until the 39th minute for their first shot on target as Bukayo Saka lashed a volley past Jordan Pickford.
But for the awareness of Conor Coady to be back on the goal line and make a crucial block, the Gunners would have entered half-time 1-0 up. The visitors grew into the game before the interval - which arguably came at a bad time for them - and Granit Xhaka also had a chance when flicking wide of the mark from Gabriel Martinelli's free kick.
4. Tarkowski delights Toffees
Just as it looked as though Everton's energy was waning after their fine first-half performance, with their defensive structure growing ragged, James Tarkowski scored the goal to give the relegation candidates the lead on the hour mark.
The English centre-back held off Martin Odegaard before powering his header beyond Aaron Ramsdale, breathing new life into a Goodison Park starved of celebrations in recent months.
Just moments earlier, Mikel Arteta had sent on Jorginho for his debut, alongside Leandro Trossard, as part of a double change which saw Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli make way.
5. Everton ascend
Although the teams around them in the relegation scrap were in action later on Saturday, Everton fans could at least momentarily enjoy the sight of their side outside the relegation zone.
With nearly half of the season remaining, what is more important for the Toffees is the performance they showed to inflict just a second league defeat of the season on Arsenal. If either side deserved the victory in a game lacking clear-cut chances, it was the hosts, who showed more desire and quality on the day.
As for Arsenal, they remain five points clear of Manchester City but that gap will be closed if the defending champions defeat Spurs on Sunday.
FREE £2 shop bet in William Hill shops with this Saturday's Daily Mirror. Don't miss your chance for a free flutter on the weekend's action, valid on all sport including horse racing!
