It was a game that made an impact on the top and bottom of the Premier League table as Sean Dyche kicked off his time as Everton boss with a massive 1-0 win over Arsenal in Saturday’s early game.
In a week where Goodison Park held a renewed sense of hope, with the fans behind the team, Everton would surely not disappoint against the log leaders.
The Gunners dominated the ball and Bukayo Saka came closest in the first half, having his attempt cleared off the line but Conor Coady.
However the hosts clung on to the sea of blue in the ground; and the Dyche era may have had a first half eruption of its own, but for Dominic Calvert-Lewin seeing his header miss the mark by the finest of margins.
The ten-game winless spree would surely continue with Mikel Arteta’s side in town, but one set piece was all it would take to send Everton — and Manchester — into ecstasy.
And that was the case. Dyche is known for his work on set plays; and the betting odds went out the window at the hour mark, with James Tarkowski leaping to give the hosts the lead.
Some hard-fought defensive resilience from the hosts and a frustrating end to proceedings for the visitors was enough to send Everton out of the relegation zone.
For Arsenal, first place is still theirs, but the gap now only five points as they suffer just their second defeat of the campaign.
Pep Guardiola will know that a win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday could see his Manchester City side narrow it down to just two points at the summit.
Pictured above: James Tarkowski
Image source: @registaco
