Arsenal’s title chase got a dent Saturday as they lost 1-0 to relegation threatened Everton at Goodison Park. The Toffees dented the Gunners’ title hopes and revived their own survival hopes with a spirited and deserved victory. James Tarkowski headed home the game’s only goal on the hour mark, inflicting just a second league defeat of the season on Mikel Arteta’s under-performing team. The new manager, Sean Dyche’s bounce was evidently in effect for Everton in front of their boisterous fans, as the Toffees put Arsenal under relentless pressure and gave the table-toppers a good run for their money in the first half. Arsenal’s first chance of note came when Bukayo Saka managed to wrestle away from Vitaliy Mykolenko and tee up Eddie Nketiah, who sold Tarkowski with a clever feint towards the byline, but fired high and wide from close range.
Everton should have taken the lead when Onana made the most of a mix-up between Ben White and Martin Odegaard, firing a cross right through the six-yard box, but Calvert-Lewin could only get a toe on the ball and a glorious chance went begging. The Toffess held on to secure the three points to move out of the relegation places. Arsenal’s lead at the top will be cut to two points if Manchester City beat Tottenham on Sunday.
