Everton lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal to kick off Sean Dyche’s tenure in fine style.
There was a genuine sense of renewed hope around Goodison Park despite a pre-match protest against the board and ownership, with Dyche awarded a warm welcome from the home fans ahead of kick-off.
Chances were few and far between early on as the Toffees matched the league leaders until Eddie Nketiah blasted over from a great position 31 minutes in to open the floodgates.
It was quickly Everton’s turn as Amadou Onana skipped clear of Martin Odegaard and fired in a low cross which Dominic Calvert-Lewin was only millimetres away from sliding home.
Moments later, Abdoulaye Doucoure headed a free header wide from eight yards out as he failed to punish William Saliba’s slip.
Arsenal came back at the hosts however and were denied by Conor Coady’s clearance off the line after a fine Bukayo Saka volley appeared destined for the far corner. There was still time for Calvert-Lewin to flick a header wide to cap a frantic end to the first half.
The Gunners started the second half with more zip about their play and Arteta brought on both debutant Jorginho and Leandro Trossard to turn the screw on Everton after Odegaard fired over from a major opening in the box.
And yet the Norwegian was moments later beaten at his own far post as Everton took the lead, a far-post corner routine that looked threatening in the first half paying dividends as James Tarkowski nodded home to send Goodison wild.
TARKOWSKIIIII!! 🤩
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 4, 2023
The Sean Dyche era is up and running at Goodison Park as league leaders Arsenal go 1-0 down... 😳#EPL pic.twitter.com/cCOTIon2YQ
Everton were a picture of a classic Sean Dyche side, throwing their bodies on the line for blocks and defending stoutly in numbers, but Arsenal’s shooting was wayward with Saka and Trossard aiming attempts off target as the clock ticked down.
The defeat, only Arsenal’s second of the league season, still leaves them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table ahead of their trip to Tottenham on Sunday.
