- 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 wouldn’t want to gloat but there was a sense of karma in seeing Burnley chairman Alan Pace squirm in his seat.
Dyche’s first return to Turf Moor where he spent 10 successful years before his dismissal in 2022 was a big thing for Burnley supporters who gave their old boss a warm ovation.
From Pace in his programme notes, no mention at all, not even a brief thank you.
He’ll know from Saturday night’s game that Dyche remains a manager on top of his game.
His current team outclassed his old one with first-half goals from Amadou Onana and another Clarets old boy Michael Keane earning Everton their fourth win a row.
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
They are seven points clear of the relegation places – even with their 10-point deduction for financial breaches – while Burnley are joint-bottom.
Even more impressive were the enforced changes Everton had to make with Keane and Godfrey drafted in for rare starts with four regulars out.
The only sunshine for the home side was the welcome return of half-time substitute Lyle Foster who played his first football since October after receiving support for mental health issues.
Everton would be ninth without any Premier League punishment and they dominated the opening 45 minutes attacking the end of the ground housing their supporters.
Dwight McNeil, one of three ex-Burnley players in the Everton line-up, went close with a header and James Trafford produced an excellent stop to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Burnley couldn’t survive the pressure and when McNeil curled a 19th-minute corner to the far post, Amadou Onana escaped marker Josh Brownhill and headed in.
Six minutes later, it was 2-0. Jordan Pickford’s free-kick was flicked on by James Tarkowski and Keane beat James Trafford at the second attempt after a deflection off Dara O’Shea presented the rebound.
It was the defender’s first goal since April on his Premier League start since August. Godfrey then made his contribution with a wonderful interception denying Zeki Amdouni a tap-in.
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
In the second-half, Keane hit the post for Everton and Sander Berge the crossbar for Burnley but Dyche saw the game out just like he’d done leading Burnley to two promotions and a run into Europe.
‘I have huge respect for the club. I had a fantastic time. It helped me and my life,’ he said respectfully.
On Pace’s ‘snub’, the Everton boss added: ‘I saw Alan Pace in the hotel this morning where we were staying. Said hello. Football is a weird business. I’m not going to throw my dummy out.
‘I have done my bit, done my years, shook his hand and crack on.’
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
Kompany admitted the reappearance of Foster was sooner than anticipated.
‘It was the opinion of the experts that keeping in his natural environment is important and playing football is something that makes him happy.
’45 minutes was physically what he was able to do but let’s not confuse things, this is only part of the process of getting him back.’
