One flash point is all it takes to swing a relegation race, and Everton got theirs before halftime of a 1-0 win a Burnley’s Turf Moor on Saturday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s pressure of Burnley’s Arijanet Muric led to the keeper clearing the ball off the Everton striker and into the Clarets goal for what became a huge three points from a huge relegation clash
WATCH EVERTON v BURNLEY FULL MATCH REPLAY
It was, perhaps, the perfect ‘Sean Dyche’ win for his current club against his old crew, as the Everton boss got his first Toffees win since a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture on Dec. 16.
The end of that 13-match winless run in Premier League play sees Everton onto 29 points through 31 games. The Toffees are four points clear of the bottom three with a match-in-hand on the 18th- and 19th-placed clubs.
Burnley had taken six points from their last four games but really needed the six-point swing that would’ve come from a win here. The Clarets played well but couldn’t avoid that familiar, critical mistake. Burnley sit 19th with 19 points, six behind 17th-place Nottingham Forest.
Toffees sticking around
No one’s going to mistake Sean Dyche’s Everton for a rollicking celebration of attacking football, but that’s okay for this challenging ride of a season. “Just get through it” is the motto, and getting through the points deductions has not been an easy thing for the Toffees. Still, the never-relegated bunch have a gaffer who never allows them to feel sorry for themselves. The excuses are not tolerated, and there’s always another day to set things right. That sort of expectation is why Dominic Calvert-Lewin, snake-bit for so long, has ground his way to consecutive big goals in big games. Everton isn’t safe yet, but bet against them at your own risk.
Everton 1-0 Burnley player ratings (fotmob.com)
Everton 1-0 Burnley player ratings (fotmob.com)
Everton 1-0 Burnley player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Burnley host Brighton at 10am ET Saturday, while Everton wait nine days to visit Chelsea at 3pm on Monday, April 15.
How to watch Everton vs Burnley live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET Saturday (April 6)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Everton vs Burnley live updates, final score: 1-0 — By Nick Mendola
Goalscorers: Calvert-Lewin (45+2')
Red card: O’Shea (67')
Red card!
Burnley have a man sent off for the seventh time this season.
Dara O’Shea’s desperation slide takes out Dwight McNeil and it is deemed a denial of a goal scoring opportunity.
Second half differences
Sean Dyche is now conducting Burnley’s opponents the way he often ran rule over his former club.
The Toffees have had more danger in the second half but are ceding loads of possession to the Clarets, who are happy to have it.
Halftime — Everton 1-0 Burnley
One shot on target and under 300 combined completed passes between the teams, so of course the goal was what it was.
This may still be here for Burnley. And it could be a good time for Josh Brownhill off the bench.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal — Everton 1-0 Burnley (45+2 minute)
Burnley keeper Arijanet Muric takes his time clearing the ball and his pass is blocked by a charging Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It spins back 17 yards into the goal! 1-0 to the hosts!
Everton waking up
Burnley had seen more of the ball and four of the game’s first five shot attempts, but the hosts are finally getting into the game.
Ashley Young’s been busy as has Vitaliy Mykolenko on the other Everton flank.
Waiting for something
Twenty minutes into Everton vs Burnley and the xG is about as Everton vs Burnley as you could guess: 0.01.
Total.
Sometimes when points at a premium, the premium is equally on adventure.
Everton lineup
Pickford, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Coleman, Garner, Gomes, Young, McNeil, Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin
Burnley lineup
Muric, Taylor, O’Shea, Esteve, Assignon, Berge, Bruun Larsen, Cullen, Odobert, Foster, Fofana
Everton focus, team news
This is a very settled Everton side and the main selection dilemma is who to start up top: Calvert-Lewin or Beto? The former jumped off the bench and scored an 89th minute penalty kick to grab a point at Newcastle and could get the nod on Saturday.
OUT: Dele Alli (groin) Lewis Dobbin (ankle), Arnaut Danjuma (ankle)
Burnley focus, team news
David Datro Fofana gives Burnley a wonderful focal point up top and they are creating chances and causing opponents problems in each and every game. They’re now in ‘we’ve got nothing to lose’ mode so expect Kompany to go with a very attacking lineup for this one.
OUT: Nathan Redmond (hamstring), Luca Koleosho (knee), Aaron Ramsey (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Jordan Beyer (thigh), Ameen Al-Dakhil (undisclosed)
