Everton ended a troubling run at their new home with a 2-0 win over Burnley as James Tarkowski and Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall found the net, securing the Toffees’ first victory at the Hill Dickinson since December and moving them within two points of sixth place.
Seven matches into life at the ground, Everton took the lead when Tarkowski nodded home a teasing James Garner set-piece, converting against his former club. The centre-back — his first goal in a year — cupped his ears towards the away end as Everton built a platform to keep their European push alive.
The home side doubled their advantage after half-time when Iliman N’diaye set up Dewsbury-Hall, whose delicate dink ensured the victory. Burnley offered little response as Everton largely controlled the game.
Jordan Pickford produced a late stop to deny Lyle Foster in stoppage time — his second crucial intervention in added time after a recent save against Newcastle — a moment that will have left the visitors frustrated.
Burnley were without in-form Zian Flemming through injury, a factor that contributed to their lack of cutting edge. The away support grew increasingly frustrated as the match progressed, chanting at a substitution and showing few encouraging signs.
Conceding twice took Burnley’s goals-against tally to 58, the highest in the Premier League this season. The defeat was their second in a row and opens the door for bottom-side Wolves to close in on 19th place.
Everton head coach David Moyes told TNT Sports it would be “amazing” if the club could push for Europe, recalling his West Ham experience where survival was followed by European qualification. Moyes stressed the importance of the victory, praised the home fans and singled out Dwight McNeil for his work, urging his squad to keep pushing into the run-in.
Burnley boss Scott Parker admitted his team “fell short in many aspects,” saying they were second-best for long periods, lacked quality on the ball and were “never in the game from start to finish.”
Story of the match in stats
What’s coming up in the Premier League?
– Everton fixtures
– Burnley fixtures
– Premier League fixtures