Dyche makes winning start
Everton secure first victory since October
Prowling the sideline and upsetting the big boys, it’s as if Sean Dyche never went away. There was even a trademark headed goal from one of his former Burnley players to give Everton’s new manager a winning debut and blow the English Premier League title race wide open yesterday.
Table-topping Arsenal paid the price as Dyche immediately made his presence felt and defender James Tarkowski sealed a shock 1-0 win.
There was no such joy for neighbours Liverpool as they slumped again to a 3-0 loss at Wolves, and Jurgen Klopp’s troubles deepened.
Victory for Everton was their first in any competition since October, ending a 10-game winless streak.
That run led to the sacking of manager Frank Lampard last month and the appointment of Dyche in a desperate bid to avoid relegation.
After 69 years in the top-flight, there is a lot riding on Everton’s latest managerial hire, which already looks like shrewd business.
Dyche led unfashionable Burnley into the league in 2016 and repeatedly upset the odds in his near-10 years at the Lancashire club. In that sense, it was business as usual against an Arsenal team flying highest in the league and looking to open an eightpoint gap on second-placed Manchester City.
Dyche was back in his element as he barked orders to his players and Goodison Park celebrated a win that could have significance at both ends of the table.
“It’s a start point. That one (win) doesn’t guarantee the next one,” Dyche said. “The way they have taken ownership and pride in what we have tried to do this week, I value that.”
Arsenal lost for only the second time in the league and will see their lead cut to two points if City beat Tottenham today. But the Gunners will have a game in hand.
The result also gave hope to Manchester United and Newcastle that they could yet challenge for the title.
United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford and were eight points behind the leader having played a game more.
Newcastle, however, failed to take full advantage of Arsenal’s loss when they were held 1-1 by West Ham.
Liverpool’s season is unravelling after a seventh league loss makes a bid for Champions League qualification look increasingly unlikely.
Wolves inflicted the latest blow to a team that was chasing an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last term.
A season later, and after one win from its last seven games in all competitions, Liverpool are searching for answers.
“We better change it. That’s true, 100 per cent,” Klopp said. “I have no words for it really, I’m sorry.”
Manchester United have seen the heart of their team torn apart in the space of a week after Casemiro was sent off yesterday, just days after Christian Eriksen was ruled out for most of the rest of the season through injury.
Erik ten Hag’s rebuild, which has seen United reach the final of the League Cup and a league title challenge reignited, has been heavily reliant on his overhaul in midfield.
But Casemiro will be suspended for three games after being sent off for violent conduct when putting his hands around the neck of Palace midfielder Will Hughes.
How well Ten Hag patches up his team while Casemiro is absent could be crucial to United’s chances of chasing down Arsenal.
Newcastle could not follow United’s lead of fully capitalising on Arsenal’s dropped points when they were matched by relegationthreatened West Ham at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s team conceded in the league for the first time since November, and it proved costly.
Callum Wilson scored after three minutes to give Newcastle a flying start, but Lucas Paqueta evened the score in the 32nd. The draw dropped Newcastle to fourth, two points behind United.
Japan international Kaoru Mitoma might be Brighton’s latest star find after another late intervention.
Mitoma stunned Liverpool last weekend with a goal in added time to send the holders out of the FA Cup. His 87th-minute header yesterday sealed a 1-0 league win against Bournemouth, and was his third goal in as many games.
Harry Souttar had an eventful Leicester debut. Fresh from his deadline day move from Stoke City.
The Australian defender scored an own goal but still ended up victorious as Leicester boosted their survival chances by beating Aston Villa 4-2 to secure a first league win since November.
But it was another difficult day for fellow struggler Southampton, who lost 3-0 at Brentford.