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All eight of James Tarkowski's Premier League goals have come under Sean DycheNew 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.
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Everton show much-needed fight and grit
Thousands marched down Goodison Road before kick-off, protesting against Everton's board and its running of the club.
But what a transformation there has been on the pitch in just five days under the experienced Dyche.
The former Burnley boss has already set about changing the mindset of a team who have been abject this season.
Writing in his matchday programme notes, Dyche asked for "hard work" and a demonstration of the "pride" of wearing the Everton shirt - and he got both.
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 international 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.
More to follow.
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Everton
Squad number1Player namePickford- Squad number23Player nameColeman
- Squad number30Player nameCoady
- Squad number2Player nameTarkowski
- Squad number19Player nameMykolenko
- Squad number7Player nameMcNeil
- Squad number16Player nameDoucouré
- Squad number27Player nameGueye
- Squad number8Player nameOnana
Squad number17Player nameIwobi- Squad number9Player nameCalvert-Lewin
- Squad number20Player nameMaupay
Arsenal
- Squad number1Player nameRamsdale
- Squad number4Player nameWhite
- Squad number12Player nameSaliba
- Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
- Squad number35Player nameZinchenko
- Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
- Squad number5Player namePartey
Squad number34Player nameXhaka- Squad number7Player nameSaka
- Squad number14Player nameNketiah
- Squad number11Player nameGabriel Martinelli
- Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu
- Squad number19Player nameTrossard
- Squad number20Player nameJorginho
- Squad number21Player nameFábio Vieira
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).
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