Arsenal 0-1 Everton; Sean Dyche’s Men hand League Leaders second defeat of season
Relegation-struggling Everton have beaten the table toppers Arsenal in a shocking victory of 1-0 and provided new Everton manager Sean Dyche with a win to start his reign, and leaving the Gunners with only a 5-point lead ahead of Manchester City.
Everton beat Arsenal 1-0
This is Arsenal’s second defeat in the current season, and their first in 14 matches. On the contrary, Everton has won for the first time ever since October 2022 and have moved out of the relegation zone.
Everton were emitting refreshed and improved energy throughout the match in first match after Frank Lampard was replaced, and despite not being able to keep ball possession more than Arsenal, they became huge trouble for the Gunners.
Arsenal were struggling against the Toffees whole match while Everton almost scored the opener in first half of the game through close attempt by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Everton dominated over Arsenal for long periods of time, while Arsenal were unable to settle into a rhythm. Leandro Trossard came closest into scoring for Gunners, but Jordan Pickford made brilliant sharp save.
Tarkowski header takes Everton out of relegation zone
The Toffees adapted strategy of ferocious tackles and pressing while leaving no space for Arsenal to breathe in the pitch, the Belgian Onana making the most tackles on pitch.
It was James Tarkowski who broke the deadlock between both sides on the 60th minute of the match with a stunning header from a corner taken by Dwight McNeil, flying past Aaron Ramsdale.
However, Arsenal did not go without a fight, Bukayo Saka did try to net a goal but ended up forcing a goal-line clearance from Tarkowski himself, and Nketiah’s failed attempt at the goal fro a close range.
Arsenal table toppers lose to 19th rank team
While Arsenal have kicked aside every club put in front of them in the current season and have become the talk of the town with their performances, this defeat by a 19th ranked team has given a major blow and become a setback for Mikel Arteta’s front.
Arsenal’s victories throughout the season has resulted from a free-flowing and lucid play they have been playing which has set them as table-toppers; however, it was absent today against Everton where they succumbed to defeat.
Manchester City now has a golden chance to close the gap with Arsenal down to only two points if they successfully beat Tottenham on coming Sunday and shoot a major blow to Arsenal’s chances at the title this season.
