Burnley vs Everton. Premier League.
Turf Moor.
Report and free match highlights as Robbie Brady scores his first goal in just over a year before Premier League top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised with his 11th goal of the season; Everton have never kept a clean sheet on their Premier League trips to Turf Moor
Saturday 5 December 2020 16:32, UK
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 11th league goal of the season as Everton drew 1-1 at Burnley in the first Premier League draw between the two sides.
Both teams went into the game struggling for form and points, but it was Burnley who took the lead inside three minutes through Robbie Brady's superb low strike for his first goal since December 3 2019.
Everton improved after switching to Carlo Ancelotti's preferred 4-3-3 formation following an injury to Fabian Delph, and they were rewarded as Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin linked up, with the latter poking home a cross (45+3) for his 16th goal for club and country in all competitions this season.
Both sides lacked a cutting edge in the second period but had their chances to win it. James Rodriguez forced a flying save from Nick Pope early in the half before Chris Wood did the same against Jordan Pickford as the game drew to a close.
Burnley remain in 19th on six points, level with West Brom and a point behind 17th-placed Fulham. Everton move up one place to seventh ahead of the remaining Premier League games this weekend.
Burnley have found goals hard to come by but took just three minutes to score just their fifth Premier League goal of the season. The hosts took advantage of some poor Everton play as Allan's terrible touch evaded Abdoulaye Doucoure and was poked into Brady's path by Ashley Westwood. The Republic of Ireland midfielder steadied himself before hitting a fizzing, low strike into the far corner for his first goal in 367 days.
It took Everton a while to find their feet but when they did, they drew a hat-trick of saves from Pope in five minutes. The first saw the England goalkeeper save a Calvert-Lewin touch with his legs. He then denied a lively Alex Iwobi at the near post before a Richarlison effort went straight at him and he held it well.
Everton were dealt another injury blow just before the half-hour mark as Delph limped off with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Andre Gomes and Everton reverted back to a 4-3-3 formation, with Iwobi and Ben Godfrey playing as full-backs.
While Everton saw the better of possession, it was Burnley who could have scored next. Wood was played through by a give-and-go with Dwight McNeil, but Pickford came out to meet him and saved Wood's effort with his legs.
But the visitors did find an equaliser in the third minute of injury time. There were initial concerns that Allan had fouled Josh Brownhill in the build-up, but the referee - and subsequently VAR - both ruled that the tackle was legal. Allan collected the loose ball before sliding it in for Richarlison down the left. The Brazilian's fizzing cross was then turned home by a lurking Calvert-Lewin.
Everton could have taken the lead shortly after half-time. Despite being moved to right-back, Iwobi was in the middle of the attacking play once again, holding the ball up well before picking out Doucoure just inside the area. He then tapped it back to the waiting Rodriguez, who curled a sumptuous effort goalwards, but Pope was more than equal to it with an acrobatic, leaping save.
The game meandered for much of the second half with both sides looking like they did not want to miss out on a point. But as the game entered the final 10 minutes, it began to open up, with Pickford forced into a point-blank save as Wood powerfully nodded a corner delivery his way. Soon after, Pope was also called into action as Gylfi Sigurdsson struck, but the goalkeeper stuck out a foot to see the effort away.
McNeil could have won it with almost the last kick of the game, but dragged a shot well wide, as Sean Dyche had to settle for a point in his 200th Premier League game in charge of Burnley.
It was another impressive display from the 22-year-old, who had to play in two different positions. He started as part of a back three before switching to left-back and, although it may not be his preferred spot, he certainly did not look out of place.
He made five tackles - the joint-highest of the Everton side, along with Yerry Mina - as well as making two clearances and three interceptions. He also notched up an incredibly impressive 91.3 per cent passing accuracy in the opposition half as he helped to keep Burnley at bay.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche said: "It was an important reaction from last week... with the way we went about it and took the game on against a really good side. I know they've had a tough spell, but they're a good side without doubt.
"A basic requirement for a long time with how we work is that it's the will and desire to work as a team, to work as a unit from a shape, but try and be effective with the ball. I thought we had a good balance, we asked questions, we got in behind. The last moment of quality has sometimes lacked this season, the two centre-forwards had chances... but we didn't always take them on. It ended up as a game of two 'keepers, I thought. They were outstanding.
"I don't think VAR should be getting involved in everything on the pitch. It's the referee I'm actually questioning [after a foul was not given on Westwood in the build-up to Everton's goal].
"That for me is deemed a foul in modern football, I don't actually agree that should be a foul but the rules and the way football pans out now, virtually every week that gets given.
"There was low-level contact on his shoulder, knee and foot but he still went over. I see it every week, those in the middle of the pitch are given all the time. Lo and behold when we need it: not given. It's happened too many times this season.
"I ask my players not to roll around the floor, I ask them not to squeal or dive. But it's actually costing us and it cost us here."
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti told BT Sport: "It is a draw that helps us move a little bit up the table. Of course, we wanted to win, we had opportunities, like the one at the end [Sigurdsson's effort], to have three points. But we have to accept the result and performance.
"Mentally we suffered because of the goal we conceded and we had difficulties to come back in the game. Then it was difficult because we had the injury to Delph and changed our shape, but after 30 minutes we were in the game and, in the end, we played a good game.
"We needed to adapt with Godfrey at left-back and Iwobi at right-back and, honestly, they did really well.
"Jordan (Pickford) is back. He played very well. He has a lot of quality and for him it is important to stay mentally in good condition and fit and motivated.
"It was a difficult game for Dominic but at the right time he was ready. Now he is used to doing this. The performance was difficult for him but good. Also, Richarlison had a really good performance. Up front we played quite well.
"Of course, we wanted to win but the point is quite acceptable."
Burnley will be back in action next Sunday when they travel to Arsenal, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 7.15pm. For Everton, they face a big clash against Carlo Ancelotti's former side, Chelsea, on Saturday; kick-off 8pm.
