A superb defensive performance from James Tarkowski on his 200th league appearance helped Burnley to a 1-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
The only goal in the game came in the 20th minute after a 24-pass move by Burnley (only Manchester City have completed more passes in the lead up to a goal this season) when Jeff Hendrick slotted a shot past Jordan Pickford.
Everton started the game brightly with a few decent early chances coming from Niasse and Sigurdsson. Burnley were set up as expected- two banks of four in a tight compact defensive style.
After Burnley scored Everton were on the back foot. It has been a tough few weeks for Koeman and his men and the near-silence around Goodison Park reflected this.
Everton huffed and puffed but just could not find a way through Burnley’s defence. Niasse looked bright and Calvert-Lewin showed promise but the likes of Mee and Tarkowski were resoulute.
Sigurdsson failed to impress again, with his only real moment of note being a shot early on in the game which Nick Pope easily saved. He is yet to score a goal or register an assist for Everton this season.
Everton deteriorated as the game went on with Ashley Williams looking particularly shaky in defence. Everton’s backline was constantly playing deeper and deeper which gifted Burnley chances to get forward and attack their goal.
Williams was at fault for this for the goal, by effectively standing on Jordan Pickford’s toes he was playing Ward on side who then made the vital pass to Hendrick.
Burnley did have to withstand a spell of late pressure, the substitions of Tom Davies and Wayne Rooney did inject a little bit of life into Everton’s game.
Matthew Lowton was at the centre of two late penalty claims with Koeman and his team appealing for handball both times. Upon replay it shows that Lowton did not commit any sort of foul though.
A downside to Burnley’s game today was the performance of Chris Wood who after scoring in his first two Premier League games has failed to find the net in the league since. As ever his hold up play was excellent but he couldn’t get the service from Burnley’s midfield to get him on the scoresheet.
This is a crushing defeat to Ronald Koeman. His team are now just two points above the relegation zone with four losses in their last five league games.
Burnley on the other hand see themselves move up to 6th, their highest ever position at this stage in a Premier League season.
Written by Dom Clarke.
