Bournemouth 1-0 Everton: Three things we learned

Pete Hall was in Bournemouth to see Eddie Howe's men inflict defeat on Everton - their first of the season. This is what we learned...

1. Wilshere and Barkley overshadowed as Arter dominates

Much of the pre-match chatter around the Vitality Stadium centred around which midfield creator-in-chief would steal the show, with the enigmatic talents of Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere on opposite sides, but it was the dependable figure of Harry Arter who really stole the show.

"He covered every blade of grass," Cherries boss Eddie Howe eulogised post match. "The passion and desire was incredible. The technical ability was there too. He is a very aggressive player, but we have controlled that and he is moving in the right direction."

Howe is not exaggerating - Arter was everywhere. Only Seamus Coleman made more tackles, only Idrissa Gueye won possession more times but, most impressively, only Phil Jagielka and Arter won 100 per cent of their duels on the south coast, with the Bournemouth livewire doubling Jagielka's tally.

Not blessed with the God-given ability of Wilshere or Barkley, Arter's work ethic is what set him apart at the Vitality. That aggression that Howe talked about was clear for all to see as he flew into some tackles, but it is clear that Howe has in fact worked on channeling that intensity into the right aspects of his game - the stats speak for themselves.

Barkley hasn't enjoyed the best of starts to the season, with his manager openly criticising him after dragging him off at half-time against Sunderland a few weeks ago, but the 22-year-old did show signs of improvement. Barkley completed an impressive 93.9 per cent of his passes - more than any other player apart from one - Wilshere.

Barkley's problem was when it really counted, the final ball was lacking. One incident in the 67th minute was emblematic of his entire afternoon. With men in the box, and the Cherries retreating, Barkley showed superb feet to beat his man and work space for the cross, but not only did he not find his target, he looped the ball straight out of play.

Wilshere is in the side for his passing game, and Howe was also pleased with his contribution, but the Arsenal loanee in fact only made 29 passes all game. More will be expected as he gets more game-time, but he got away with it at the Vitality thanks to Arter's mammoth effort.

Such a monumental shift is hard to muster every week, and judging by the sweat-soaked state of Arter as he laboured off after the win, this may have taken its toll - but buoy was it worth it.

2. Wilson and co make Premier League’s second meanest defence look brittle

Everton conceded 55 times in 2015/16, the most they'd let in for 12 seasons, so it was clear what Ronald Koeman had to rectify when taking over the Goodison Park reins in the summer, and the former Southampton boss has certainly fulfilled that demand, and some.

Three goals conceded all campaign prior to their trip to the Vitality, from a league low of 12 shots on target faced, Everton have been almost impenetrable - the Cherries had other ideas.

Callum Wilson ran Ashley Williams ragged in the first half, with the Wales skipper visibly shaken. Wilson was barging Williams around, harrying him at every opportunity, and when Wilson was busy ruffling the feathers of another Everton defender, Junior Stanislas was there to cause further irritation.

Bournemouth should have been more than the one goal to the good at the break as they put in their best 45 minutes of the season, and that harrying and relentless pressure on the visitors every time they got the ball was at the heart of the game plan.

Williams won 55.6 per cent of his duels at the Vitality - a poor return by his standards - but that was down to the intensity of the hosts rather than any ineptitude on William's part.

The protection in front of Phil Jagielka and Williams was not to the usual standard with Gareth Barry looking distinctly off-colour.

Koeman admitted after the game that Barry had not trained on Friday due to a knock, so why risk him against a side like Bournemouth known for their dynamic and high-octane midfield?

"When things don’t go our way, we will work harder and refocus on the elements which have got us here," Howe said in his programme notes. "This group of players have always responded well to challenges and setbacks.”

Little did Howe know that the response he was calling for would have been this magnanimous. The question is now, can they keep repeat such high intensity every week? If so, Wilson's running and general menacing style of play will be key.

3. Toothless Toffees supply line has to be better

After going 11 appearances and 1028 minutes without a Premier League goal, Romelu Lukaku had scored four times in his last two Premier League appearances, but the imposing Belgian had a fruitless afternoon on the south coast.

One early header could have changed the course of the match, as Artur Boruc brilliantly kept out Lukaku's effort, but after that, he wasn't allowed so much as a sight of goal.

Steve Cook's colossal 15 clearances had something to do with it, with him and skipper Simon Francis taking a very no-nonsense approach to their task.

The service to Lukaku was poor all afternoon. Yannick Bolasie tried too many stepovers and unnecessary touches when making forays down the flanks. Seven crosses came into the middle from the former Crystal Palace man, but only a stunning centre that Enner Valencia should have done better with late on really warrants a mention.

Kevin Mirallas contributed even less. In the hour he was on the pitch he made a measly nine passes, supplied one wayward cross, competed zero dribbles and didn't look interested in contributing defensively - the very definition of ineffective.

"[Everton were] not good enough," Koeman angrily stated post match. "[Bournemouth played with] more aggression, they won more second balls, it was difficult to play our game. We dominated for long periods at the end, but you cannot start like this."

The start didn't help matters, but two of Everton's wins this season have come from losing positions. A repeat of such was never truly on the cards.

Koeman was realistic at the end of the game, stating that Everton cannot win every game, and this first defeat of the season came against a side well up for the challenge.

However, such talented players have to provide a better supply line, or Koeman's early impressive work could be undone.