Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin profited from a horror error by Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric to secure a 1-0 victory for his side in a nervy Premier League relegation battle at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Burnley had several close shaves playing out from the back and when Muric dallied making a clearance he was closed down by Calvert-Lewin and the ball ricocheted into an empty net from the edge of the box.
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Everton, who are likely to hear next week if they will have a second points deduction this season for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules, moved to 29 points from 31 games, four clear of the relegation zone.
Burnley, who were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Dara O’Shea received a straight red card, remained second bottom with 19 points from 32 games, six points from safety.
“It’s a massive result, it was a must-win in many ways,” Calvert-Lewin told Sky Sports. “We’re happy with the 1-0 but we thought we could improve in the second half.
“We knew Burley overplay at times, so if we could set traps like we did for the goal, we’d have a chance. A few games ago I might not have scored a goal like that, but that’s how it goes.”
Calvert-Lewin ended a 23-game scoreless run with a late equaliser from the penalty-spot at Newcastle United in midweek, and has now scored in back-to-back games for the first time since September.
“It was a long period (without a goal) for myself. It becomes a mind game at times, but I came into the game today full of confidence and I think it showed.”
Everton had a slice of good fortune that has been missing in the second half of the season, but suffered too from a lack of quality in the final third that has been all too evident.
After going a man up they had several breaks into the Burnley box, but too often the pass, cross or set-piece was poor.
Burnley’s moments were few and far between and they rarely troubled Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, but still the tension around Goodison Park was palpable.
Up until Everton scored on the stroke of halftime, neither goalkeeper had a difficult save to make, with the hosts seeing plenty of possession, but unable to conjure chances.
There was more zip about their play in the second period and when Everton caught Burnley dithering at the back again, Calvert-Lewin picked up possession and was denied by the legs of Muric.
Burnley went down to 10 men when centre back O’Shea took a poor touch and hauled down Dwight McNeil, who threatened to race clear. O’Shea was the last defender.
No team has had more red cards than Burnley this season with seven.
Josh Brownhill curled a shot inches wide in a rare Burnley chance, but their own problems in the final third are clear and Everton were able to see out the game at Goodison Park with relative comfort.