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James Tarkowski opened his Everton goal tally at the perfect time, getting past the Arsenal defense to deliver the killer header that sealed their 1-0 win on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first game for new boss Sean Dyche, ruled out on the bench to replace Frank Lampard, and the three points took the Toffees out of the bottom three for the time being.
Meanwhile, Arsenal missed out on a chance to move more clearly to the top of the Premier League table and could see their lead cut to just two points before the end of the weekend.
With a total turnaround in fortunes, as the relegation-fighting team did enough to take out the best team of the season so far, it was a great opportunity for players on both sides.
Here it is RICHARD TANNER of Sportsmail with your player ratings from Everton 1-0 Arsenal:
James Tarkowski scored his first goal in Everton colours, dispatching a header in the second half
Everton (4-4-2):
jordan pickford 7
Thanks to the men in front of him, he didn’t have much to do, but his handling was excellent and his long punts helped keep Arsenal on the defensive.
seamus coleman 7
Playing for his ninth Everton manager and used all his experience to produce his usual solid show. Good cross for Calvert-Lewin in added time in the first half.
Conor Coady 7
Very vocal as ever in keeping Everton organized and fit and made a vital clearance off the line from Saka’s shot in the first half.
James Tarkowski 8
Everton’s Vitali Mykolenko was able to keep Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka relatively quiet in the game
What a moment to score his first Everton goal and his header capped off a great defensive performance.
Vitali Mykolenko 6
Considered something of a weak link in Everton’s defence, but with the help of Iwobi he did well to keep Saka relatively calm.
Abdoulaye Doucoure 7
He recalled after falling out with Frank Lampard and added energy and aggression to the midfield department, although he missed a great header opportunity in the first half.
Amadou Onana 7
Hard-working midfield display who was happy to put in hard midfield yardage to help thwart Arsenal.
Idrissa Gueye 7
He had his best game since returning from PSG, responding to Dyche’s demands for hard grafts in the engine room.
Dwight McNeil had a hand in the win, supplying the corner kick that Tarkowski headed in.
Dwight McNeill 7
Arguably his best game since joining Everton, he helped Coleman deal with the threat from Martinelli and supplied the corner kick for Tarkowski’s winner.
Alex Iwobi 7
Like McNeil on the right flank, he helped Mykolenko keep Saka calm and made some penetrating runs to worry his former club.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 7
He failed to convert three chances in the first half, but made a hard-working move as the lone striker to keep Arsenal’s defense busy.
Substitutes:
Neal Maupay (by Calvert-Lewin 62, 5)
Unused Subs: Asmir Begovic, Mason Holgate, Demarai Gray, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Tom Davies, Ruben Vinagre, Ellis Simms.
Reserved: Mykolenko, Onana.
Goal: Tarkowski 60.
Aaron Ramsdale made some good saves in the first half, but couldn’t prevent the game-winner.
Arsenal (4-3-3):
Aaron Ramsdale 7
He made a couple of saves in the first half from Calvert-Lewin but was helpless against Tarkowski’s powerful header.
ben white 6
He had a hard time keeping Iwobi calm, but produced his usual solid defensive work.
Guillermo Saliba 6
He didn’t always look comfortable under Everton’s aerial bombardment.
Gabriel Magalhaes 6
He had a constant battle with Calvert-Lewin, who gave him an awkward time.
Brazilian striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin put Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes in trouble
Oleksandr Zinchenko 6
He tried to get Arsenal’s passing game going, but found spaces hard to find against such compact opponents.
Thomas Partey 5
He had a difficult time against Everton’s aggressive midfield tactics and was injured early in the second half.
Martin Odegaard 5
He denied the time and space to make his usual creative impact and fired a fine chance over the crossbar.
Martin Odegaard was not allowed to play his usual game and he wasted a good opportunity.
Xhaka 5 Granite
Like his teammates in midfield, he had a difficult afternoon.
Bukayo Saka 5
Just like teammates found space on a premium. He was closest to scoring when his shot was cleared off the line.
Eddie Nketiah 5
He got little joy from Everton’s stout back four, but went wide of the target with a lone chance in the first half.
gabriel martinelli 5
He produced one of his most ineffective displays the day after signing a new contract and replaced him early in the second half.
Gabriel Martinelli signed a contract extension at Arsenal but remained ineffective
substitutes;
Leandro Townsend (by Martinelli 60, 5)
Joringho (for Partey 60, 5)
Fabio Vieira (by Odegaard 77, 5)
Takehiro Tomiyasy (for White 84, 5)
Unused Subs: Matt Turner, Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior, Rob Holding, Amario Cozier-Duberry.
Referee: David Coote 7.