Everton vs Arsenal

Can Sean Dyche lead Everton to victory in his first match against the Premier League leaders?

An early Arsenal goal would be important, but Everton look organised. 20 mins: Iwobi swings a cross into the box towards Calvert-Lewin, and Saliba is forced to head it behind for a corner. 21 mins: Saliba defends the first inswinger well at the back post, beating Onana to the ball. After Arsenal clear Onana tries his luck from distance and isn’t too far away. The winger looked for Nketiah with a cross after Partey switched play, but Coady heads clear. Everton 0-0 Arsenal From the other side, another inswinger finds Tarkowski and Saliba makes the block! ](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-manchester-united-premier-league-title-b2267051.html)The Gunners will stretch their lead over second placed Manchester City to eight points if they win ahead of City’s trip to Tottenham on Sunday. [Mikel Arteta’s ](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/mikel-arteta)men will look to continue their charge towards the Premier League title [following a dramatic late 3-2 win against Manchester United two weeks ago. [Sean Dyche](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/sean-dyche) takes charge of [Everton](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/everton) for the first time in Saturday’s early [Premier League](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league) kick off as the Toffees host league leaders [Arsenal ](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/arsenal)at Goodison Park. [Dyche was appointed to replace sacked manager Frank Lampard](https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/sport/premier-league-everton-manager-sean-dyche-b2272007.html) last week and [faces arguably the most difficult test possible ](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/sean-dyche-everton-manager-bielsa-b2270604.html)for his first match in charge. The Gunners are in a real fight here against the Premier League strugglers.

The Blues take on the league leaders in Sean Dyche's first game in charge.

20’ - Iwobi in space on the right and can swing in a cross, and the Blues have the first corner of the game. The Blues have a surprisingly good record at home against the Gunners, and are unbeaten in their last four against them including three wins. [Everton](https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com) host Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge of the Blues, and he couldn’t have had a more difficult task to start his tenure. This one won by Onana and in the air in the box before Arsenal clear. A great run from Onana down the left and he’s in space, cuts in and his low cross through the box gets only the slightest of touches on the ball from DCL and the chance is missed. McNeil to take it with Gray not on the pitch, Onana gets to the deep ball and wins another corner. Halftime Thoughts - Encouraging start to the Dyche era in that first half. 50’ - McNeil with the mistake and is lucky not to get punished. The ball eventually comes to Gueye to shoot, but DCL was offside in the build-up. 58’ - Poor turnover from Iwobi in the middle ends a sustained spell of possession, and Nketiah does very well to fashion a chance for Odegaard who sails the ball over. 60’ - Now Iwobi wins a corner on the right. 66’ - Drama in the box.

Minute-by-minute report: The leaders are Sean Dyche's first opponents as Everton manager. Join Scott Murray for the action.

[Everton](https://www.theguardian.com/football/everton) down the left. [Arsenal](https://www.theguardian.com/football/arsenal) are finally finding their feet just as half-time looms. They’re not exactly on the rack, but could probably do with hearing the half-time whistle so they can have a rethink. 45 min +3: Coleman digs out a cross from the right. A more elegant nick off his toe, and White was clear in the box. For the first time this afternoon, Everton looked stretched. He enters the box and cuts back for Odegaard, who slaps a first-time shot wide left and high. Iwobi wins a corner down the right. Trossard can’t control on the corner of the six-yard box. 84 min: Maupay sends a dribbler of a shot into the arms of Ramsdale from 25 yards. He ends up winning a throw, and the clock ticks on in Everton’s favour. What a result for Sean Dyche, one that has huge significance at both ends of the table!