Everton 2-0 Burnley: Tarkowski and Dewsbury-Hall end Goodison hoodoo

Goodison Park finally felt like home again as Everton halted a winless run stretching back to early December, sweeping aside Burnley 2-0 through first-half captain James Tarkowski and a second-half strike from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The victory, only the Blues’ tenth in 27 league outings, lifts David Moyes’ side into eighth place, two points behind sixth-placed Chelsea.

Moyes kept faith with the XI that had stunned Newcastle last time out, resisting calls for a more attacking set-up and instead trusting the side that had given him a rare success. Opposite number Scott Parker rang four changes, handing recalls to Kyle Walker, Florentino Luis, Lesley Ugochukwu and Lyle Foster.

A raucous light show and the traditional Z Cars soundtrack greeted the teams, and Everton responded with an energetic start. James Garner’s early long ball almost caught Burnley cold, while Jaden Anthony’s dart forward underlined the hosts’ intent. Yet for all their 70 percent possession inside the opening 20 minutes, clear chances were scarce until Garner’s 33rd-minute free-kick was met emphatically by Tarkowski, the former Clarets skipper steering a header inside the far post for his first goal of the campaign.

Dubravka denied Jarrad Branthwaite and Dwight McNeil before the break, and Burnley emerged with greater purpose after the restart. Their momentum evaporated on 63 minutes when Iliman Ndiaye slipped a precise pass into Dewsbury-Hall’s path; the on-loan midfielder lofted a composed finish over the advancing keeper to double the advantage.

Everton controlled the tempo thereafter, Pickford preserving his clean sheet with a late fingertip save to thwart Florentino. The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes as the Gwladys Street celebrated a first home triumph in four months and a first league double over Burnley since 2017.

Everton, now unbeaten in three, turn their attention to daunting meetings with Arsenal and Chelsea, buoyed by a defensive display that limited Burnley to just two shots on target and a midfield master-class from Dewsbury-Hall, who registered 65 touches, seven defensive actions and four recoveries.

For Parker’s side, the result deepens relegation concerns; they remain second-bottom and without an away win since October. The Clarets rarely threatened, and chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” from the travelling support underlined growing frustration.

The only sour note for Evertonians was another VAR controversy when Ndiaye appeared to be felled by Dubravka inside the box, yet no review followed. Nonetheless, the day belonged to the Toffees, whose patience and professionalism finally translated into a cathartic three points.