Ancelotti off to winning start at Everton

LIVERPOOL, England (AP):

Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Carlo Ancelotti’s managerial reign at Everton a winning start as his diving header secured a 1-0 victory over Burnley in the English Premier League yesterday.

The Toffees striker stretched Everton’s unbeaten run to four league games, but Ancelotti will be aware that this was not a vintage performance from his new side at Goodison Park.

Everton, once again, struggled to make the most of dominant possession – highlighting the need for Ancelotti to bring in reinforcements up front – but prevailed from one predatory piece of finishing from Calvert-Lewin in the 80th minute.

Caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson claimed five points from his three league matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal to lift Everton into midtable.

Arsenal’s Equaliser

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored an equaliser for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s first match in charge ended 1-1 at Bournemouth.

Aubameyang’s 63rd-minute goal was his 12th in the league – putting him second overall behind Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.

Dan Gosling opened the scoring for Bournemourth in the 35th.

After Alexandre Lacazette was off target for Arsenal in the first half, Gosling punished slack defending when he turned in Jack Stacey’s cross from the right.

The Gunners could have been 2-0 down at the break.

Joshua King embarked on a strong solo run down the left and, after using his strength to hold off the last defender, almost managed to poke the ball through goalkeeper Bernd Leno’s legs from a narrow angle.

Arsenal improved after the interval and Aubameyang finished first time after Reiss Nelson’s effort from the edge of the penalty area deflected into his path.

Arteta, a former Arsenal midfielder, was given a warm welcome from the travelling fans, who are desperate to see signs of improvement.

He has much work to do after replacing Unai Emery and interim coach Freddie Ljunberg, with home games against Chelsea on Sunday and Manchester United on January 1.

After learning the coaching ropes as assistant to Pep Guardiola at champion Manchester City, Arteta signed a 3¹/2-year contract. Emery was fired in late November after the team’s worst run in 27 years.