Match report and free highlights as two goals in the space of six first-half minutes secure victory for Everton at Burnley on Sean Dyche's return to Turf Moor; Toffees move seven points clear of the relegation zone after fourth straight win without conceding
Sunday 17 December 2023 07:08, UK
Sean Dyche made a winning return to Turf Moor as Everton continued their winter resurgence with a comfortable 2-0 win at Burnley on Saturday Night Football.
Two set-piece goals in the space of six first-half minutes put the visitors in control as Amadou Onana broke the deadlock with a firm header from Dwight McNeil's corner (19).
Michael Keane, on his first league start since August, then scored Everton's 10th goal from a dead-ball situation moments later after keeping his composure to slot past James Trafford after initially being denied from close range (25).
The result moves Everton up to 16th in the Premier League - seven points clear of the relegation zone after Luton's game against Bournemouth was abandoned earlier on Saturday - while Burnley stay in 19th place, six points adrift of safety.
"Had they not had that 10-point deduction, right now we would be talking about Everton pushing for Europe," said Jamie Redknapp. "That's how well they're playing. They are so well organised and they're playing with a great energy. You can see their belief in everything they are doing right now."
Dyche remains a firm favourite with Clarets supporters after a highly impressive decade with their club in which he won two promotions, finished seventh in the Premier League and qualified for Europe.
He was sacked by Burnley in April 2022 after 10 years in charge, and his successor Vincent Kompany had said he would welcome a warm reception for his opposite number on his first return to the club. His defence, however, were far too hospitable during a one-sided opening 45 minutes.
Everton had already threatened from their first attack when McNeil headed wide from Jack Harrison's cross, but Trafford was stranded when Onana rose above him to head the Merseysiders in front.
Keane was one of three former Burnley players in Dyche's starting line-up - and the defender latched onto a header down by fellow ex-Claret centre-back James Tarkowski to score at the second attempt after Trafford had saved his initial shot. Everton were at this stage cruising as Kompany cursed his slack defending.
"It's the land of the giants," said Redknapp at the break. "They're just too powerful, and too strong from set plays."
Burnley ought to have reduced the deficit before the restart when Ben Godfrey made a vital last-ditch interception to take the ball off the feet of the onrushing Zeki Amdouni from Vitinho's ball across the box.
Kompany turned to Lyle Foster at the break, and his side showed greater urgency immediately as Jordan Pickford was tested low down to his right by the striker.
Everton remained a threat, however, with Trafford tipping a James Garner free-kick past the post - and they ought to have killed the game when Keane struck the woodwork from an acute angle after Trafford failed to claim Garner's corner on the hour-mark.
Andy Hinchcliffe said on commentary: "From every set-piece, Burnley are just getting bullied. They cannot cope with the physicality."
Pickford leapt to his right to tip a swirling shot from Amdouni before Sander Berge crashed an effort against the bar, which would not have counted owing to an earlier offside.
Burnley never surrendered as Foster headed wide from Josh Brownhill's free-kick but their opponents remained resolute until the end.
Everton boss Sean Dyche:
"I had a fantastic time here at Burnley, on and off the pitch, and got to know so many people. I thank the club for their warm reception but at the end of the day it's moved on, I have moved on and that's it, it gets parked.
"I am the Everton manager now and I and my staff are working very hard to do well for Everton."
On wiping out the points deduction: "Yes very pleased with that. The players were outstanding today, particularly second half. The way they are going about things at the minute... We had to change our shape last minute and had no time to prep it, and we took the game in a very controlled tactical manner.
"Some of the people walking into the side today, they have trained so well, looked after themselves, and they have come in today and delivered a performance."
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany:
"It is never a problem of not fighting. Today we were undone in both boxes. You can talk about everything in-between but in reality you have to be best in both boxes to win football matches and that wasn't the case today.
"Conceding on two set plays is extremely frustrating. Obviously you can call it last-ditch tackles and moments when the other team defends really well but the reality is we have to put chances away. That is the reality of the fight for us.
"The first half was not the level we have had recently. The second half was good and we created chances. If we were not creating anything I'd be more worried."
On fans still behind him and players: "This place is different. I can't explain why, it just is. The key is for us to every single time to repay these fans, and we do that by giving everything we have."
Sky Sports' Ben Grounds:
"It is 21 years since Everton won four Premier League games in a row without conceding. That run during the autumn and winter of 2002 propelled David Moyes' People's Club to a seventh-placed finish.
"Were it not for the 10-point deduction for breaching profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), Everton would now be level on points with Brighton in eighth. They are playing like a top-half side, and the off-field setback only continues to galvanise the players on it.
"For Dyche, on his return to a club where he enjoyed so much relative success, this was just business as usual. He strode onto the pitch at the final whistle and applauded those who now laud his ability to get the most out of a depleted squad.
"Here, despite missing three first-choice defenders, there was evidence of the team spirit and togetherness he is fostering in his first full season.
"Within the space of a month, he has wiped out the debt imposed on them by the commission that looked into the Premier League charges.
"Everton's latest away win was fittingly assisted by former Burnley players with McNeil, Tarkowski and the excellent Keane all involved.
"Burnley remain marooned towards the bottom of the Premier League table. Everton approach the festive season in good heart and are undoubtedly heading in an upward direction."
Sky Sports' Andy Hinchcliffe at Turf Moor:
"Michael Keane is my player of the match. He has been outstanding going back to his former club."
His defensive partner James Tarkowski told Sky Sports: "Today was a great sign of the togetherness as we had a few players out and we had to change formation.
"We know we are a threat against any team. We played these in the cup a couple of months ago and played really well against them and scored off set pieces so once again we knew it was going to be vital for us.
"Get the delivery right, get players in the right areas, and, as you say, we are the land of the giants, especially today when we brought Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey in. It is a massive threat in every game, not just this one."
Onana - who Tarkowski described as being able to leap like a 'basketball player' - added: "This is very, very important. The mentality of the team has changed and four wins in a row, very special. I am happy to be part of this team and hope it keeps going. We don't fear anybody."
Burnley go to Fulham next on Saturday 23 December, 3pm kick off.
Meanwhile, Everton also play Fulham but on Tuesday night in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, 7.45pm kick off.
