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1 month ago
21
Burnley must be wondering where their next win is coming from. It has been more than two months and nine games since their most recent one in the Premier League. They were the superior team here on Saturday but unable to find the goal to close the gap on 17th.
The hosts had more of the ball and chances but of their 16 shots, they failed to find the target once, explaining why they find themselves six points from the last safe position. There was plenty of effort and endeavour from Burnley, but further evidence they lack the quality required. Everton will be pleased to avoid a third defeat in a row.
Scott Parker is desperately trying to find a solution to Burnley’s many problems, which has caused them to set up camp in the relegation zone. Marcus Edwards was given a first Premier League start to try to add creativity, as was Bashir Humphreys who became part of a back-five. There was a greater intensity about the hosts but the quality in the final third was lacking.
It took until the 29th minute for either side to test a goalkeeper, although Carlos Alcaraz heading straight at Martin Dubravka merely found out the Slovakian was awake. Everton could be forgiven for their blunt nature, missing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish, the latter absent with a virus. That left them short of thrust and substitutes, naming only eight, including two goalkeepers.
Only fellow promoted sides Sunderland and Leeds have come to Turf Moor and lost. Burnley need home victories to provide a slender chance of survival. With each passing week the prospects of Premier League football here next season are looking bleaker. There was plenty of intent and endeavour from Burnley but quality was once again lacking.
Armando Broja, fresh from scoring his first Premier League goal in 40 games, returned to the starting lineup. He hassled defenders when he could, but found little support. Edwards buzzed but often found himself down blind allies, while Jacob Bruun Larsen was equally ineffective. The pair combined for Burnley’s best chance of the opening hour, which the Dane lobbed over the bar when through one-on-one.
This sparked Turf Moor and its team into life. Bruun Larsen had another shot blocked soon after and Jordan Pickford was forced to tip a looping header over the bar. The ground had been quiet until this point, resigned to Burnley’s fate come May. It was very much a scenario of needing the players to inspire the fans rather than vice versa.
After 60 minutes of very little, the game became an event. There was more reason for the home fans to cheer when Dubravka reacted quickly to repel a smart Beto flick from close range. Alcaraz also wanted to offer some entertainment with an overhead, which had the direction but not the power.
Noise and momentum were growing for Burnley, they were causing problems for Everton, whose lack of options off the bench were enforcing weariness. Humphreys arrived at the edge of the area and had two bites, the second flying just wide.
One player David Moyes did call upon to make a difference was Thierno Barry. The striker had the speed to get beyond the defence and thought he had the ferocity in the shot, only for Dubravka to excel again to prevent a goal.
Zian Flemming hit the inside of the post as the clock ticked towards 90, but was ruled offside regardless, to sum up Burnley’s day. Poor travellers Newcastle visit on Tuesday for the next chance of ending the droughtand it is a long wait until the final day when Wolves are the opponents here.
