Everton lifted their relegation fears – if only for a few days – with a precious victory over fellow strugglers Burnley thanks to a gift of a goal from the visiting goalkeeper, Arijanet Muric, and Dara O’Shea’s straight red card for a foul on Dwight McNeil. Luck was on Sean Dyche’s side as his team avoided equalling a club record 14 matches without a win and it was certainly required on a gruelling afternoon.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for the second game in succession after turning Muric’s clearance into the Burnley net on the stroke of half-time. Everton, who are expected to suffer a second points deduction of the season next week for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules, endured a nervous finale against Vincent Kompany’s side but held out for their first league win since taking three points at Turf Moor in December. Burnley really had only themselves to blame for their four-match unbeaten run coming to a damaging end.
