Burnley 0-2 Everton: Sean Dyche's side ease to fourth straight victory

12/16/2023 Soccer

Burnley 0-2 Everton: Sean Dyche’s side ease to fourth consecutive Premier League victory as the former Clarets boss enjoys comfortable Turf Moor return courtesy of Amadou Onana and Michael Keane goals

  • Everton dominated proceedings on Sean Dyche’s return to his former club
  • Goals from Amadou Onana and Michael Keane sealed victory for the visitors
  • Manchester United fans must be DREADING Anfield trip – It’s All Kicking Off 

Sean Dyche showed Burnley what they’re missing as goals from Amadou Onana and Clarets old boy Michael Keane gave him a triumphant first return to Turf Moor.

Having spent a decade with Burnley until his departure in 2022, Dyche didn’t let sentiment stand in the way of an emphatic performance by Everton, who have now won four in a row.

They moved seven points clear of the relegation places where Burnley are stuck and the Merseysiders would be top half without a 10-point deduction for financial breaches, still protested by their fans with songs and placards.

Dyche received a warm welcome when he walked to the dug-out with Burnley fans showing more class than their chairman Alan Pace who declined to mention his former manager in his programme notes.

The Everton line-up contained three former Turf Moor favourites James Tarkowski, Keane and Dwight McNeil. For Burnley, the most positive news was Lyle Foster being maned among the substitutes and introduced at the interval.

Amadou Onana scored as Everton sealed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor

It was a winning return to Turf Moor for former Burnley manager Sean Dyche

Onana’s towering header gave Everton the lead as he leapt above Burnley’s defence

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The South African forward last played in October to receive support for mental health issues.

Everton attacked the end where their own supporters were gathered for the first half and it was Burnley forced to defend like a doughty Dyche team.

McNeil could have opened the scoring after 10 minutes when he steered a header wide after being picked out by Jack Harrison.

Dara O’Shea then got an excellent block to deny James Garner after a nod-down by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The hosts couldn’t survive the pressure for long. James Trafford produced a brilliant save from Calvert-Lewin but from the following corner, Everton scored.

McNeil crossed to the far post where Onana easily lost his marker Josh Brownhill to head in from close range. It was the Belgian midfielder’s second goal of the season – the other also came against Burnley, in the EFL Cup.

Burnley’s first serious venture into the opposition penalty area was thwarted when Abdoulaye Doucoure blocked from Jacob Bruun Larsen.

But Everton deservedly extended their lead after 26 minutes through an unlikely source. Keane hadn’t started a Premier League since August and was only playing due to Jarrad Branthwaite’s suspension.

Toffees defender Keane doubled his side’s lead with a poachers finish from close-range

Vincent Kompany’s side produced a disappointing performance as they fell to another defeat

Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced one memorable save but it was a largely comfortable afternoon for him

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS 

Burnley (4-4-2): Trafford 6.5: Vitinho 6, O’Shea 6, Beyer 6, Delcroix 6 (Al Dakhil 70 6); Bruun Larsen 7 (Benson 82), Berge 6.5, Brownhill 5.5, Odobert 6; Rodriguez 5.5 (Foster 45 6), Amdouni 5.5

Substitutes not used: Muric (GK), Roberts, Cullen, Redmond, Tresor, Obafemi

Everton: Pickford 7: Patterson 7, Tarkowski 7, Keane 7.5, Godfrey 7; Harrison 6.5, Onana 7, Garner 7.5, McNeil 8; Doucoure 6.5 (Dobbin 45 6); Calvert-Lewin 7 (Beto 82)

Substitutes not used: Virginia (Gk), Lonergan (Gk), Danjuma, Chermiti, Hunt, Metcalfe, Campbell

Scorers: Onana 19; Keane 25

Booked: Garner

Referee: Anthony Taylor 7

When James Tarkowski flicked on Jordan Pickford’s free-kick, Keane’s shot was parried by Trafford but rebounded into his path via O’Shea.

Second time around, the big defender rifled into the net for his first goal since April and he celebrated against his former team like he meant it.

Burnley had one golden chance to pull a goal back before the interval when Vitinho reached the byline and flashed a low cross towards Amdouni at the far post.

It would have been a tap-in without a wonderful sliding interception from Ben Godfrey – on his first Premier League start of the season.

Vincent Kompany needed a feelgood moment so Foster’s arrival was timely.

Burnley did show more attacking impetus but not enough. Godfrey fouled Wilson Odobert 30 yards from goal and Larsen’s free-kick was charged down. Foster tried to show he was match-ready by shoving Nathan Patterson into the hoardings as they challenged.

Burnley were limited by Everton’s physicality and tactical discipline at Turf Moor

Everton have now recorded four consecutive Premier League victories since Carlo Ancelotti was in charge two-years ago

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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Pickford showed good concentration. Having largely been a spectator, he dived to his right to keep out Amdouni’s deflected shot.

Everton remained a threat at set-pieces where Trafford found trouble. He managed to get a fingertip to one free-kick by James Garner but missed the next corner and was relieved Keane struck the post from a tight angle.

Burnley also hit the woodwork with an excellent half-volley by Berge which crashed against the crossbar.

For the most part, Dyche was happy for his team to set up in good shape and seal the points. It was, after all, the tactics that earned Burnley two promotions and a run into Europe.

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