Arsenal secured the win they needed at Everton to return to the top of the Premier League in a scrappy encounter at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Manchester City overhauled the Gunners with a comfortable victory against West Ham United before this match, putting the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta’s side on the return to his former club.
Arsenal’s cause was helped when Everton defender Jake O’Brien needlessly handled Declan Rice’s 27th-minute corner, with Viktor Gyokores hammering home the resulting penalty in emphatic fashion.
Arsenal were not at their best but could have extended their lead after the break, Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi both hitting the woodwork when they should have done better.
The win means Arsenal go two points above Manchester City at the top of the table, and six points clear of third-placed Aston Villa, who host Manchester United on Sunday.