Everton halt Arsenal march, Liverpool slide continues

LIVERPOOL : Arsenal suffered a reality check in their pursuit of the Premier League title on Saturday, losing 1-0 at struggling Everton in manager Sean Dyche's first game in charge, while Liverpool imploded in their third consecutive away defeat.

James Tarkowski's second-half header sealed Everton's first victory since October, briefly moving them out of the relegation zone - although they ended the day back in it.

While there was joy on the blue side of Merseyside, Liverpool's miserable league campaign continued as they were crushed 3-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Liverpool trailed 2-0 after only 12 minutes with Joel Matip's own goal and a debut effort for Craig Dawson. Ruben Neves added a third for the hosts after the break.

"When you start like this you don't deserve anything in a Premier League game," Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said.

"We have to change it immediately in the next game."

Manchester United consolidated their top-four position with a 2-1 victory at home to Crystal Palace, although it came at a cost with midfielder Casemiro shown a straight red card.

United edged above Newcastle United into third place with 42 points although Newcastle can reclaim that position if they beat West Ham United later on Saturday.

Arsenal's second league loss of the season left them on 50 points, five ahead of champions Manchester City who are at fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

With no signings in the January window and Everton in a horrendous run of form, the omens were not good for Dyche as he began his rescue mission at Goodison Park against an Arsenal side whose only previous league defeat came in September.

But Everton took full advantage of a rare Arsenal off-day with Dwight McNeil's corner being powered home by