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Chelsea fans are having a laugh at the Premier League leaders after their former midfield star debuted in Arsenal's loss at Goodison Park.
Arsenal fell to their second Premier League defeat of the season as James Tarkowski's header gave Everton the perfect start under new manager Sean Dyche in a 1-0 win at Goodison Park on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
Everton came into the game on a run of four league defeats at Goodison for the first time since 1958.
That disastrous run of results saw Frank Lampard axed from his job and Dyche could not have hoped for a better start.
The Toffees were the only Premier League club to not make any signings in the January transfer window despite their terrible position in the table.
But the home side showed there is still enough talent available to Dyche to dig themselves out of trouble if they can harness the same level of energy and intensity on a more regular basis.
Two of Dyche's former Burnley players were included in his first starting line-up and they combined for the only goal of the game on the hour mark as Tarkwoski headed in Dwight McNeil's corner.
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The victory was Everton’s first since October after they passed up a host of chances in the first 45 minutes.
If anything, this match proved that Keeping Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit will be critical to Everton's survival hopes, but the England international was still rusty in front of goal on Saturday afternoon.
Amadou Onana's surging run and ball across the face of goal just needed a finishing touch that Calvert-Lewin could not stretch to make.
Moments later Abdoulaye Doucoure, headed a glorious chance wide when unmarked inside the box.
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It was all Everton asking the questions and Arsenal were silenced for most of the first half
Second Half
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Arsenal were brighter at the start of the second period and Martin Odegaard will feel he should have hit the target when teed up by Nketiah.
But just as the Gunners were beginning to turn the screw, their luck at the back ran out.
Tarkowski was fundamental to Dyche overachievements in keeping Burnley in the Premier League for six consecutive seasons between 2016 and 2022 and the centre-back rose highest to power home McNeil's corner in the 60th minute.
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Mikel Arteta's decision to substitute three of his most consistent performers this season in Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey and Odegaard will be certainly be questioned as Arsenal could not break through the ranks of defence from Dyche's men.
The full-time whistle was met with jubilant celebrations as Everton lifted themselves one point clear of the bottom three.
It was Everton's first win in 11 games lifts the Toffees out of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Arsenal remain five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, but may be left to rue a missed chance on Sunday as they aim for a first league title since 2004.
Should Manchester City defeat Spurs on Sunday, the title race would be thrown wide open once more, as the result would leave City two points adrift of the Gunners.
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Social Media Reactions
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Following the defeat for Arsenal, fans have singled out one player after Saturday’s shocking result.
Jorginho joined Arsenal on deadline day in January and the former Chelsea midfielder made his debut for the Gunners against Everton coming on for Thomas Partey in the second half.
However, the Gunners conceded just a minute after his introduction forcing rival fans to troll league leaders on social media.
Here’s what’s buzzin:
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