Everton welcomed the visit of Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday as Ronald Koeman's charges sought to turn around a difficult start to the new season.
After making several changes to his side that drew midweek in the Europa League, Everton started brightly but soon came undone when they went behind to a Jeff Hendrick strike in the first half.
The same problems continued to plague the Toffees in the second period as they were unable to create much in front of goal, leaving Burnley to keep their unbeaten away record intact with a comfortable 1-0 victory on the road.
Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good afternoon everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Everton's Premier League clash with Burnley at Goodison Park.
Much has been made of Everton's difficult start this season and Thurday's poor Europa League draw with Apollon Limassol will not have helped Ronald Koeman after his side originally showed signs of revival during their last Premier League win over Bournemouth.
Everton have arguably had an incredibly tough run of fixtures in the league and they will likely need to be judged after a few more games, although the club's 2-2 draw in midweek will certainly be a cause for concern for both the club and fans.
Central to that poor result was Everton's lack of confidence going forward as well as an absence of pace in the side. That could be rectified today should Koeman decide to start Oumar Niasse, a man who came out of the wilderness last weekend in order to inspire the Toffees to victory over Bournemouth.
While Koeman and company have been under the microscope early this term, Sean Dyche and his Burnley charges have enjoyed a wonderful start to the new campaign. The Clarets could now remain unbeaten in their opening four top-flight away games for the first time since a six-game streak in 1966 should they be able to hold out against Everton today.
Such has been the club's impressive early-season form, Burnley are four Premier League games without defeat for the first time since December 2014. Should they win today, Dyche and his men would move to 12 points after seven games, which would represent their best start to a Premier League campaign.
Burnley have already improved vastly on their away record from last term. A victory on the road today would mean that the Clarets would surpass their away points tally for the whole of last season.
Right, time for some team news now...
EVERTON STARTING XI: Pickford; Martina, Keane, Williams, Baines, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Vlasic, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse, Sigurdsson
EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Ramirez, Rooney, Klaassen, Stekelenburg, Davies, Holgate, Lookman
BURNLEY STARTING XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward, Brady, Cork, Hendrick, Defour, Arfield, Wood
BURNLEY SUBSTITUTES: Vokes, Barnes, Berg Gudmundsson, Westwood, Lindegaard, Bardsley, Long
So the major news for Everton fans is that Koeman has made a number of changes from Thursday's draw in Europe. Wayne Rooney has been dropped to the bench, meaning that Niasse is to earn just his third Premier League start in 20 months for Everton. Youngster Nikola Vlasic impressed during the week and he earns a start too. Another big piece of news is that Michael Keane has managed to shrug off the remainder of his foot injury and finds himself slotting in at the back alongside Ashley Williams. Young forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also been given the nod.
As for Burnley, Dyche has remained confident in the side that he has largely backed for the most of the season thus far. Sam Vokes, who has scored in each of his last two league appearances against Everton, still finds himself on the bench with Chris Wood leading the visitors' line at Goodison.
Given how the fans responded on Thursday night, Koeman arguably had no other choice but to opt for Niasse today. The Toffees were rather clueless going forward during that contest with Limassol and perhaps the forward can bring some much needed pace to this team. It will certainly be intriguing to see how the Toffees get on without Rooney in the side, especially given the arguments that he often slows teams down and potentially gets in the way of Gylfi Sigurdsson.
One statistic that slightly favours Everton this afternoon is that the Toffees have lost just once at home to the Clarets since 1963, coming out victorious ten times in their last 14 contests at Goodison.
Added to that, Everton have won four of their last five Premier League meetings against Burnley. The Clarets have also managed to keep only one clean sheet in the last 32 fixtures against the Merseyside club.
Clearly the major task for Koeman at the moment is sorting out his players going forward. As things stand, Niasse - who has been frozen out for so long - still remains as the club's top scorer this term despite playing just 59 minutes of football.
The Toffees have not defended too badly, although a lack of action at the other end has meant that Koeman's men have been behind for 239 Premier League minutes this season. That woeful record is beaten only by a currently shambolic Crystal Palace, who have been behind for 347 minutes.
The club's owners have evidently backed Koeman despite the current situation due to a longer-term rebuilding plan, but you do have to wonder how patient they will remain with the Dutch coach going forward. They have had arguably the hardest opening fixtures in the league, but the Toffees are now six points worse off than at the same stage last season following a huge spend this summer.
One thing to watch out for today is how Everton cope with Burnley in the air. The Clarets have created 43% of their attempts on goal from set pieces.
Despite the current situation, Koeman has appeared defiant in the face of the press. Here is what he had to say to journalists in the build-up to the game: "I am too long in this job to lose my confidence. Yes, I am worried about the situation and how we can turn it around but I have enough confidence to be the same manager I was for the last six or seven years, when I was successful. But it's not so negative and black as everybody is thinking."
Meanwhile, Dyche has insisted that he will not be taking the Toffees lightly despite their form of late: "It's tricky for all managers when they're signing new players, and I think they've signed some very good players. But you've got to mould it into a team, the players have to learn about each other and inevitably we're all judged on winning, which is hard to come by sometimes. I certainly don't take them lightly, though. Bit of a tricky start to the season, and the manager's spoken himself about the feeling amongst his group when they're playing, but we don't take anything for granted."
PREDICTION! Right, 15 minutes until kickoff and it is time to make a prediction. Burnley come into this clash off the back of some impressive away results and a rather resolute defence. Everton, meanwhile, have found themselves in all sorts of bother and Thursday's draw will certainly add to the pressure surrounding this game. The one saving grace for the Toffees today could be the inclusion of Niasse, and his presence might just swing this in favour of the home side. I'm backing Everton to pinch this game 1-0.
Things are quite mild on Merseyside this afternoon with highs of around 17 degrees Celsius. The ground is filling up nicely and it will be interesting to see what sort of reception the Blues get after Thursday night's disappointment.
Surely going forward will be Everton's main point of focus here? Up until Niasse's late equaliser against Bournemouth last weekend, the club had not scored in 401 minutes of Premier League football.
Rooney could still make an effective contribution from the bench too. The veteran has actually won all 11 Premier League matches that he has scored in at this ground.
So the players emerge from the tunnel to a packed-out Goodison Park. It's a great atmosphere in the ground - we're starting with the handshakes and then we'll be off!
KICKOFF! Everton get us moving then, kicking from left to right in their blue home strip...
Some early pressure from the hosts sees Baines break free down the left wing. The full-back's cross into the middle is well-timed, but Pope keeps his composure to claim the pass out of the air.
Niasse gets involved early on to drop deep and setup a move forward down the right. The ball is eventually swung in towards Calvert-Lewin, who brings it down and lays it off into space for his strike partner. Niasse's effort is solid, but the ball is hit straight at a grateful Pope in the Burnley goal.
Burnley get their first chance to test Everton's defence from a set piece. The corner into the middle is tame, however, leaving Williams to rise highest and head clear.
CLOSE! Mee spends too much time dallying and Calvert-Lewin nips in to steal possession. The ball is moved forward into the area, where Vlasic then turns possession over to Sigurdsson. The playmaker takes it first time, but can only drive his shot into Pope's arms.
Wood thinks that he's beaten the trap and races through to collect a long-ball from the back, only to eventually be flagged for offside. Everton's movement has looked promising in the early stages down at the other end, with Niasse taking up some troubling positions in space.
CLOSE! Baines does what he does best with a bending ball into the middle, leaving both Keane and Schneiderlin ultimately get in each other's way, though, leaving the eventual header to loop over the Burnley bar.
The visitors mount their first piece of serious pressure going forward down the left, where a wicked deflection almost does for Pickford. The keeper reacts well to push the ball away, though, with Wood lurking inside the area.
Everton have appeared much more positive than they did during midweek, although as things stand Burnley are holding firm without too much hassle at the back.
CHANCE! Wonderful from Niasse as he jinks his way into the left side of the penalty area. The striker gets his head up in time to turn the ball square for Sigurdsson. It looks like the Icelandic international will open his body to slot beyond Pope, although Tarkowski makes a brilliant interception.
Calvert-Lewin has shown some adroit touches already and he does well to earn his side a corner. The Toffees are unable to profit from the kick, though, as Mee defends well in order to head clear under pressure from Gueye.
GOAL! EVERTON 0-1 BURNLEY (JEFF HENDRICK)
Burnley are in front and what an exceptional move this is! The away side string together around 20 passes before Vlasic goes to sleep and misses the run of Ward in behind the defence. The midfielder gathers before squaring across the box for Hendrick. The Burnley man still has plenty to do with Schneiderlin breathing down his neck, but the midfielder produces a wonderful dummy before drilling cleverly beyond Pickford.
Koeman's men haven't played too badly here but they find themselves behind. Burnley have sat patiently and soaked up the pressure and have now been rewarded for a real piece of quality in attack. Groans are just starting to gather around Goodison Park.
More possession in and around the box for Everton, but Burnley have good numbers back and do not allow the short stuff to get beyond them. Wood shows great industry down at the other end by chasing a lost cause to earn a corner.
Burnley almost cause issues with that set piece as the ball pin-balls about inside the area. Schneiderlin takes the initiative with a big hoof clear and the hosts breathe a slight sigh of relief.
Niasse has been the brightest spark for the hosts and he produces some neat hold-up play in order to find the incoming Gueye. The midfielder shoots first-time from range with an effort that is spooned wide of the target.
Burnley might have another option here as they seek to exploit the counter when Everton leave men forward. It's Hendrick that is slotted in down the left channel this time, although his cut-back into the area is intercepted by Keane with Wood looking interested.
Terrific from Niasse again with great endeavour as he picks up a pass from Baines. The frontman beats his marker before getting into the box, where his eventual cross into the middle is cleared for a corner. No joy from the resulting set piece, however, as Lowton clears the danger without a challenge.
CHANCE! A long ball punted forward sees Wood grappling inside the box and he is able to hold off his marker before flicking a header towards goal. Pickford has it covered, but it just goes to show the problems that the Burnley frontman can create from virtually nothing.
YELLOW CARD! First booking of the afternoon as Defour goes into the back for what appears to be some sort of bad language...
If it's positive going forward then it will likely involve Niasse here. The frontman picks the ball up with his back to goal before turning and driving towards the box. He opts for the strike from range, which flies wide of Pope's far post.
ALMOST! Another almost moment for Burnley as Ward turns a great ball into the box for Wood. The striker gets just underneath the ball and is unable to head goalwards. The ball is not cleared properly, however, as Arfield goes down inside the area, only to be booked for a dive.
CHANCE! Everton are really starting to live dangerously. Wood shows more positive intent again and is able to win a 50-50 that breaks kindly for Cork on the edge of the area. The youngster goes for the volley, which takes a deflection and flies wide for a corner.
We are going to have one minute of additional time at Goodison...
HALF TIME: EVERTON 0-1 BURNLEY
A tough half for Koeman and his charges, then. The hosts started brightly but they have come unstuck against a side that looks thoroughly well organised and drilled. The Clarets did not create too much in the early stages, but they took their chance when it came. The away side have also looked increasingly dangerous since the game has worn on.
Everton have been much improved since Thursday's showing but they still find themselves behind here. Niasse has been their most effective player, which again makes you wonder why exactly he has been frozen out for so long. Koeman has a big team-talk to give here as Burnley do not look like they will be giving up this advantage easily.
Will we see any changes for Everton at the break? Perhaps Davies? Do Everton really need two sitting midfielders here?
SECOND HALF! The away side get things moving again, can Everton find a route back into this contest?
Bright signs in the early stages for Everton as the hosts loop a ball into the middle for Niasse. It's a tricky one for Pope to deal with, although the keeper does well to claim the ball in the air under pressure from the frontman.
Much better from the hosts who finally start to stretch the play and use the flanks. The ball is switch to Martin out on the right and his cross is deflected away for a corner. The set piece lands at the feet of Gueye who takes a punt from range, only to see his effort flash over the bar.
Burnley have done well just to take the sting out of those positive early moments for Everton. The visitors are at their best during the quieter moments. They'll be more than happy to take some time out of this contest by holding the ball.
YELLOW CARD! Baines goes into the book now for a late lunge on Lowton. The full-back just gets a touch frustrated and can't quite get to the tackle in time.
The resulting ball into the middle is a testing one, but Pickford does well to take the ball out of the air. The keeper then tries to set up a counter with a clever kick forward to Niasse, but Pope is equal to it as he races off his line.
This game has gone very quiet and Burnley will be pleased with that. Dyche's men hold all of the cards at the moment and despite some positive signs earlier, Everton still do not look like they have any answers here.
CLOSE! Baines makes a good move to lose the interest of Ward and he is able to chip a smart ball into the middle of the box. Niasse is first to it, although his header is guided wide of Pope's near post.
SUBSTITUTE: Finally Koeman makes a change, as Rooney comes in on place of Schneiderlin. Hopefully that will result in some slightly more adventurous forays forward.
CLOSE! Wonderful movement from Brady now as he races beyond the defence to collect an equally adroit pass in from Arfield. The winger has Wood to aim for at the back-post, leaving Pickford to read the game perfectly and come off his line to make a vital interception.
Chances have been few and far between for Everton, but a half-chance arrives when Martina finds some space on the right. The full-back whips a ball into the middle that is met by Calvert-Lewin, who heads wide of the post under pressure from Keane and Williams.
Wood has been superb up front for Burnley this afternoon. His hold-up and linking play has been crucial. This time the forward flicks a smart header on for the run of Brady, although Pickford is quick to come out and gather before the danger develops.
Rooney has been ineffectual since being introduced. As things stand, Burnley look good value for their lead and you would not begrudge them getting another this afternoon. Everton are sinking without a trace at the moment. Davies tries to shake things up with a creative run through the middle, although he is eventually hounded out as Burnley get enough bodies back.
Everton do enough to get into advanced positions, but then things seem to crumble around the box. This time Niasse tries to bundle his way through for lack of options, but as has been the case all day Burnley are across to cover with men in good numbers.
Frustration is starting to boil over for some of these Everton charges as Gueye takes aim from range. Koeman decides to introduce Ramirez for Niasse, who has been the side's best offering today.
Memories of old? Rooney winds up from range and tries something from distance that goes flying over the bar. He had Davies open over the right too...
CLOSE! Sigurdsson finds a chipped ball into the middle towards Rooney, who claims that Lowton plays the ball with his hand. The referee is having none of it and waves away for a corner. Nothing comes of it though and Burnley head clear through an energised Wood.
SUBSTITUTION: Burnley aim to take some time out of proceedings as Hendrick is replaced by Ashley Barnes. Do Everton have something up their sleeves here?
We are going to have four minutes of additional time here...
Everton are piling on the pressure in these closing moments, although it's still much of the same as Burnley defend comfortably. More handball shouts now as Williams heads towards goal, leaving the ball to cannon into the chest of Lowton.
FULL TIME: EVERTON 0-1 BURNLEY
Koeman will have some serious questions to answer going into the international break. His side were simply not good enough here. They offered virtually nothing going forward when it mattered.
As for Burnley, things could not be better as the Clarets now move up into sixth place in the league standings. The Clarets were full value for their win here today too, with some neat attacking play support by resolute defending. The visitors really were magnificent on the road this afternoon. That is going to be all from me today, thanks for sticking with us!
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
