Everton vs Burnley. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance39,303.
Report and highlights as Everton win last home game of the 2018/19 campaign
Saturday 4 May 2019 07:44, UK
Everton remain in the chase for Europa League football after two quickfire goals saw them beat Burnley 2-0 in their final home game of the season.
The hosts went ahead in the 17th minute as a Richarlison shot was diverted into the net by the knee of Ben Mee. Soon after, Seamus Coleman (20) headed home after a loose Tom Heaton save to keep them in the hunt for European football next term.
Burnley rallied slightly in the second half, having their first shot on target in the 58th minute and Johann Berg Gudmundsson going close a few minutes later, but they were unable to find a breakthrough.
Everton have ended the season strongly at Goodison Park, winning four successive home games and going above Leicester into eighth spot ahead of their game against Manchester City on Monday Night Football. Burnley remain in 15th.
Much like their last few games, Everton began well and made their pressure count with two goals in the opening 20 minutes. The first saw Richarlison pick up a slotted cross from Gylfi Sigurdsson around 25 yards out and he was given the space to run in to by the Burnley defence before striking. The ball took a nick off Mee's knee on the way through to find the bottom corner.
Everton added another three minutes later. Lucas Digne's fierce drive was pushed away by Heaton, but he was unable to recover quickly enough as the waiting Coleman nodded home into an empty net for his second Premier League goal of the season.
Burnley had the ball in the back of the net in the 33rd minute and thought the comeback was on, but Ashley Barnes' wonderful hooked finish from a Robbie Brady cross was correctly ruled out for offside.
Everton suffered a blow at the start of the second half as Richarlison went down clutching his ribs and he was soon replaced by Theo Walcott.
It took 58 minutes before Burnley had a shot on target as Chris Wood tried his luck from just outside the area, but Jordan Pickford made an easy save. A few minutes later, Gudmundsson fired over the crossbar from close range, unable to get his feet sorted in time to test the goalkeeper.
The game mostly meandered to a conclusion after that, although Ademola Lookman threatened to score a sensational goal in the 88th minute. He found himself some space with a darting run across the top of the area but hammered his effort off the top of the crossbar.
Ashley Westwood launched into a crunching tackle on Morgan Schneiderlin in the first half and, after seeing the injury to the Everton midfielder, referee Chris Kavanagh gave Westwood a yellow card. But should it have been more? Watch the video below...
Marco Silva: "We deserved the three points, our first 25-30 minutes we did fantastic, we started the game in control, running the game, scored twice but we didn't give chances away.
"We want more next season, our target will be to do more, we have to have ambition, but if you show that attitude and desire, they are behind us. The fans realised after the Liverpool match how important they can be for us, and we have been really strong at Goodison Park since then."
Sean Dyche: "From our point of view, it is a game of two halves. We started, not a million miles off it, but not in the detail you need, and were a bit subservient and on the back foot. We go in licking our wounds a bit at half-time but there was a good reaction in the second half, without really opening them up with enough detail.
"They've climbed a mountain in the second half of the season. 28 points is an incredible return with the goals we've scored. But you want to finish in the right way, and I thought we did in the second half. We've got a really important game to finish 'right', as I'm talking about, against Arsenal."
Tim Cahill: "Everton were fantastic from the off, they pressed, pinned Burnley in and got the goals. After that it was just about maintaining the game and seeing it out. Burnley tried in the second half, but for Silva it's a big result and for Everton too.
"I think European football would be a fantastic thing. We shouldn't be sitting here saying 'if' or 'could', some of the points Everton have dropped this year have hindered the season, but maybe they could get to Europe. If we get Europe, then that means it is what this club needs."
Jonathan Walters: "It's important to make this place a fortress. They've won four of their last home games and it's important for a team like this to finish their season strongly. With their investment, they need to be looking towards the top six and I think the club are looking to do that.
"Against teams in the top half, Burnley have only won two games all season so that is one thing they need to change. Since the turn of the year, they have been on a great run of form but they'll be disappointed not to get something from here."
He only lasted 48 minutes, but Richarlison was wonderful for Everton in attack during the first half and they really missed him in a tepid second period. He should arguably have had a goal too, although his effort was given to Mee after a deflection.
The Brazilian received a warm reception from the home fans as he made he way off the field and looked truly sad to have ended his Goodison Park season in such a manner. There is surely more to come from him next term.
There is just one Premier League game left this season - Everton travel to Tottenham while Burnley host Arsenal next Sunday.
