Author: Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

As Sean Dyche’s management career got off to the best possible start with a 1-0 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal, Everton significantly relied on their connection to Burnley to secure their first victory since October.

The effect he had was instantaneous as another former inhabitant of Turf Moor James Tarkowski headed the winning goal on the hour, despite the ex-Clarets manager’s insistence that he didn’t have any “magic dust” to sprinkle on a struggling squad (the only one not to be strengthened by a January signing).

It was the center-first back’s goal since signing on a free transfer from Burnley in the summer and his first since the first game of the previous campaign. The goal also snapped a skid of 10 games without a victory across all competitions.

Everton’s epic escape is unquestionably on, and with hope never dying at Goodison following a dreadful year under the previous boss Frank Lampard, they briefly moved out of the relegation zone with their midday kickoff.

Arsenal’s loss was their first since September and only their second in the league, which allowed Manchester City to reduce the five-point deficit at Tottenham on Sunday.

As Everton defeated the Londoners three times in a row at Goodison Park for the first time in more than 45 years, Dyche, who has won two and drawn three of his last six encounters with the Gunners, and the home field advantage proved to be yet another obstacle for Arsenal.

There was a protest march in the street ahead of kick-off – with the board of directors absent for the second match running on security advice – and a small sit-in after the final whistle with a plane flying a ‘League’s worst run club #timetogobill’ (a reference to long-serving chairman Bill Kenwright) overhead early in the game.

But in between there was much greater optimism with Dyche making an immediate impact despite having just five days to work with his new squad.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – who had been training on his own after a fall-out with Lampard – made his first Premier League start since mid-August to bring some energy into a five-man midfield, which was a departure from the manager’s usual 4-4-2.

But what was evident on the pitch was reassuringly familiar with Dyche insisting his side be more direct and get the ball forward early to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who looked re-energised having struggled for fitness all season, and he almost latched onto a Dwight McNeil pass but was out sprinted by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Had Calvert-Lewis got more of a connection on Amadou Onana’s low cross after a bursting run down the left then Everton would have been ahead, with the England international also firing in a weak shot from Alex Iwobi’s knockdown and flicking a header wide after Iwobi and Seamus Coleman had combined on the opposite flank.

Doucoure was also making his presence felt and he too wasted a header from a McNeil cross as much-needed confidence flowed back into the side boosted by an encouraged and engaged Goodison Park.

Arsenal dominated possession but found it difficult to find a way through a more compact and committed opposition side, who were quick to get back into shape when they lost possession, with Conor Coady clearing the visitors’ best chance of the half off the line from Bukayo Saka’s volley.

And when Everton won four corners in two minutes Goodison roared its approval and, for a brief period, the Gunners were under pressure with the sight of Granit Xhaka hoofing a ball clear to no-one on the halfway line the most un-Arsenal of moments.

Being cheered off having out-shot and out-fought their opponents – eight was the most Arsenal had faced in the opening 45 minutes all season – was a new experience for players who had been booed at half-time of their previous two home games.

Martin Odegaard ballooned over from Eddie Nketiah’s cross early in the second half as Arsenal redoubled their efforts with new signings Leandro Trossard and Jorginho soon introduced.

But they had not had a touch before Tarkowski rose above a crowded six-yard box to head home a corner and get the old stadium rocking.

Neal Maupay replaced Calvert-Lewin as the Everton defensive rearguard began and his first intervention was to send Gabriel tumbling in the box, resulting in a VAR check for a penalty which came back to nothing.

It was the only negative response all afternoon for the hosts, who were cheered from first to last by supporters desperate for some relief from a second successive relegation battle.

Everton’s new-found resilience was highlighted by the fact goalkeeper Jordan Pickford did not make his first real save until the 78th minute when he batted away a Trossard shot to keep his first clean sheet in three months.

Source: Livescore