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Arsenal Beaten In EPL For First Time Since September As Sean Dyche Makes Winning Start With Everton

Everton's first goal under Sean Dyche arrived 60 minutes into the new manager's first game in charge as James Tarkowski scored against Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Robert Summerscales

Arsenal Beaten In EPL For First Time Since September As Sean Dyche Makes Winning Start With Everton
Arsenal Beaten In EPL For First Time Since September As Sean Dyche Makes Winning Start With Everton /

Everton 1-0 Arsenal

Arsenal lost in the Premier League for only the second time this season when they fell to a shock 1-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday.

The Gunners had won 16 of their first 19 EPL games this season, drawing two and losing only to Manchester United at Old Trafford in September.

Meanwhile, Everton had recorded just three victories in 20 matches.

But Everton were under new management and looked like a totally new team.

Everton's first goal under Sean Dyche arrived 60 minutes into the new manager's first game in charge.

James Tarkowski headed home from a Dwight McNeil corner kick to stun the EPL leaders at Goodison Park.

Both Tarkowski and McNeil had previously played under Dyche at Burnley.

James Tarkowski pictured (right) celebrating a goal with Dwight McNeil after scoring against Arsenal in Sean Dyche's first game as Everton manager
James Tarkowski pictured (right) celebrating a goal with Dwight McNeil after scoring against Arsenal in Sean Dyche's first game as Everton manager :: IMAGO/Images/Peter Byrne

Dyche had inherited an Everton team that had lost 11 of their last 14 games.

But Everton started Saturday's match with much more confidence than one might expect from a team 19th in the Premier League table.

Everton registered eight shots during the first half and were rewarded by loud cheers from their supporters at half-time.

The volume level at Goodison Park went up another notch on the hour-mark when Tarkowski headed in his first goal for the Toffees.

Arsenal dominated the game in terms of possession but Dyche's Everton proved too organized to break down.

Everton's win saw them climb out of the relegation zone, while the result left Arsenal just five points clear of title rivals Manchester City.

Arsenal and City have now both played 20 league matches this season.

Highlights: Everton 1-0 Arsenal

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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.