Everton vs Arsenal: Former Burnley manager Sean Dyche took Everton out of the relegation zone after an impressive win over Premier League leaders Arsenal.
James Tarkowski outpowered Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in the 59th minute to put Everton ahead in the match.
Before the match started, it was reported by Sky Sports that there was a large protest outside Goodison Park where the Everton fans were demanding their owners to sell the club.
But inside the stadium, the Everton fans were fully behind the new manager and the team, with intensity and a loud roar.
It started with a strong atmosphere, with Amadou Onana and Bukayo Saka struggling to get the ball; Onana won most of the duel.
A series of corners came Everton’s way, with William Saliba saving Arsenal by blocking Tarkowski’s header before England international Calvert-Lewin’s header went wide.
Before the end of the first half, Arsenal also had their goalscoring opportunity when Eddie Nketiah lashed the ball over the bar.
Everton defender Coady denied Bukayo Saka, who was the most impressive player in the match, with a goal-line clearance.
Calvert-Lewin had another chance to put the Merseyside team ahead, but his attempt was not on target.
However, Arsenal came back in the second half looking strong and ready to go. Nketiah’s cut back was given to Odegaard, who fired the ball over.
The Norwegian had it very hard against the Belgian Onana, who was everywhere against the London side.
The first goal of the Dyche era came after Dwight McNeil’s corner went beyond Aaron Ramsdale and met Tarkowski, who headed the ball into the net, with the Everton fans going wide.
However, in the final 30 minutes of the second half, Arsenal’s Gabriel called for a penalty in the box after colliding with Everton striker Neal Maupay, but the referee failed to show interest in the call.
Jordan Pickford saved Leandro Trossard’s effort and also watched how Saka played the ball over the bar.
That was Arsenal’s second defeat in the Premier League this season. They lost to Manchester United in September by a score of 3-1.
If Manchester City defeats Tottenham on February 5, 2023, the gap between the two teams will be down to two points.
What Next For Everton and Arsenal
The new Sean Dyche team will face Liverpool in a Merseyside derby on February 13, 2023. It is also a must-win match for the Merseyside Blues if they want to avoid a relegation battle with the other bottom teams.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will face the in-form Brentford side on February 11, 2023, at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta, who doesn’t seem happy with today’s result, deserves a quick response from his players against Brentford.
The last outing between both teams ended in a 3-0 win for the Gunners.
