Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fortuitous goal proved enough for Everton to claim a much-needed 1-0 victory over 10-man Burnley at Goodison Park.
It had been 13 matches since Everton last won a Premier League match heading into Saturday’s match, with that victory coming back in December against Burnley at Turf Moor.
And Sean Dyche got one over on his former team again when Arijanet Muric’s clearance deflected in off Calvert-Lewin in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
Dara O’Shea’s dismissal midway through the second half dented Burnley’s comeback hopes, as the Toffees move up to 15th, 10 points clear of the 19th-placed Clarets, though they remain only four clear of the relegation zone after Luton Town’s win over AFC Bournemouth.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |
Everton
EVE
|
38 | -11 | 40 |
| 16 |
Brentford
BRE
|
38 | -9 | 39 |
| 17 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
38 | -18 | 32 |
| 18 |
Luton
LUT
|
38 | -33 | 26 |
| 19 |
Burnley
BUR
|
38 | -37 | 24 |
| 20 |
Sheffield Utd
SHU
|
38 | -69 | 16 |
How the match unfolded
Calvert-Lewin ended a 23-match scoreless streak when he netted against Newcastle United in midweek, and Everton’s No 9 might have been presented with an early tap-in if not for excellent near-post defending from Maxime Esteve.
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Abdoulaye Doucoure drilled a cross-shot into Muric’s grasp, while Seamus Coleman got in the way of Charlie Taylor’s powerful effort at the other end.
Yet with Burnley having improved, Everton’s breakthrough arrived in remarkable fashion in the closing seconds of first-half stoppage time – Calvert-Lewin closing down Muric’s clearance and diverting the ball over Burnley’s goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Muric somewhat atoned after the break, making a smart stop with his feet to deny Calvert-Lewin after the striker had capitalised on a sloppy mistake from Lorenz Assignon.
Burnley’s task was made all the harder when O’Shea received his marching orders for a desperate, high lunge on Dwight McNeil – referee Michael Oliver showing no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card.
Substitute Josh Brownhill nearly turned Burnley’s despair into jubilation, though, with a wicked effort that flashed just over.
Calvert-Lewin twice went close as Everton aimed to make their numerical advantage count, lashing wide after a great run before prodding at Muric from a tight angle.
His replacement Beto could have done better when charging through on goal late on, but Everton were not made to pay for their profligacy.
Toffees finally end winless run
Only once in their history have Everton gone more than 13 league encounters without a win – back in 1937, when they went on a 14-match winless run.
Thankfully for Dyche, he will not go down as the Everton manager to match this unwanted record.
Dyche’s side are far from safe, but this victory – which comes on the two-year anniversary of his last win as Burnley boss, a 3-2 defeat of an Everton side then managed by Frank Lampard – was much-needed as the Toffees fight for safety.
In a relegation scrap of tight margins, Everton cannot afford to now not build on this as they aim to maintain their Premier League status.
Burnley cause their own problems
Having replaced James Trafford between the sticks for Burnley as of late, Muric has been a key part of the Clarets’ upturn in form – Vincent Kompany’s team having come into this encounter on the back of a four-match unbeaten run.
However, Muric cost the visitors in big fashion with his calamitous error at the end of the first half.
O’Shea subsequently compounded Kompany’s frustration, making a rash tackle on McNeil, which was deemed as overly aggressive by Oliver.
Club reports
Everton report | Burnley report
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Key facts
Burnley are without a win in their last seven away league match, drawing two and losing five, with the Clarets conceding the opening goal in six of those encounters; the exception being a 2-2 draw with West Ham United last month.
After a run of 18 Premier League matches without a goal, Calvert-Lewin has scored in successive games for Everton in the competition for the first time since September this season.
Calvert-Lewin has scored four Premier League goals in his last six appearances against Burnley, he’s only netted more in the competition against Newcastle United, with six and Crystal Palace, with five.
Burnley’s seven red cards this season is the most by a side in a Premier League season since both Aston Villa and Newcastle in 2014/15 (both 7). Indeed, O’Shea is the seventh different player to be dismissed for them in the league this season, only Sunderland in 2009/10 and Leicester in 1994/95 (both 8) have had more different players sent off in a Premier League campaign.