Premier League: Everton shock Arsenal; Man United continue unbeaten run
Arsenal blew the chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as Everton got the Sean Dyche era off to a flyer with a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.
The Blues showed real intensity and organisation throughout the contest and deservedly secured just a fourth win of the league campaign through James Tarkowski’s header on the hour.
The hosts belied their lowly position right from the off with Dominic Calvert-Lewin twice going close in a high-tempo first half.
Arsenal struggled to find the silky rhythm that has been a feature of their style this season, but the visitors did have their moments as Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka threatened.
Everton continued to look the more likely throughout the second half and deservedly took the lead on 60 minutes.
It was a goal made in Burnley as Dyche’s former players Dwight McNeil and Tarkowski combined, with the latter heading home a right-wing corner.
Arsenal had earlier wasted a gilt-edged chance when Martin Odegaard blazed over and they almost rescued a draw but substitute Leandro Trossard could not find a way past Jordan Pickford.
The result means Arsenal remain five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, having played 20 games apiece. Pep Guardiola’s champions can cut the gap to just two points on Sunday if they win at Tottenham.
The victory sees Everton end a run of four home league defeats in a row and moves them up to 17th spot ahead of the rest of the weekend’s action.
Ten-men Manchester United held on for victory over Crystal Palace after Casemiro was sent off for foul play in the second half.
United took an early lead through Bruno Fernandes’ penalty after Marcus Rashford’s cross struck Will Hughes’ arm which Andre Marriner gave after a VAR review.
Rashford added a second early in the second half when he side-footed home Luke Shaw’s low cross but a VAR decision went against United 20 minutes from time when the referee sent Casemiro off for grabbed Hughes around the neck during a skirmish involving most players.
Jeffrey Schlupp brought Palace back into the game with a clever flick with the outside of his boot but, despite much Palace pressure in the closing stages, United held on for all the three points.
The win brings United within eight points of leaders Arsenal, while Palace remain in 12th place.
A late winner from Kaoru Mitoma kept Brighton in the race for European qualification with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, while Brentford continued their impressive form by thrashing rock-bottom Southampton.
Mitoma was the hero once again for the Seagulls, his decisive goal coming just a week after he struck in stoppage time to seal an FA Cup victory over Liverpool.
The hosts had the better chances early on, with Deniz Undav hitting the post, but Bournemouth grew into the game and it looked to be heading for a stalemate.
However, Japan international Mitoma proved decisive again as he headed home the winner with three minutes left to keep Brighton in sixth place.
Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, who agitated for a move during the January transfer window, was left on the bench by manager Roberto De Zerbi, but came on in the second half.
Brentford are also aiming for an unlikely European spot and rose to seventh with a 3-0 win over Southampton.
Ben Mee and Bryan Mbeumo both struck in the space of three minutes at the end of the first half, before Mathias Jensen wrapped up a comfortable victory ten minutes from time.
Thomas Franks’ side, who climbed above Fulham, are now unbeaten in nine matches, their longest top-flight undefeated run in 87 years.
It was another bad result for Saints, though, who sit alone on the foot of the table with 15 points, three from safety.
At Villa Park, Leicester had to fight back twice to earn a 4-2 win over Aston Villa that sent them three points clear of the relegation zone.
An Ollie Watkins strike and an own goal from Foxes debutant Harry Souttar twice gave the hosts the lead in the first half, coming either side of James Maddison’s equaliser.
But Kelechi Iheanacho levelled again for the visitors before Leicester’s impressive new signing Tete fired them in front on the brink of half time.
Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho had a goal disallowed after the break, but the game was put to bed when Foxes substitute Dennis Praet scored with 11 minutes left on the clock.
