A first-half goal from Kevin Mirallas was enough to give Everton all three points as they beat 10-man Burnley 1-0 at Goodison Park in the Premier League this afternoon.
The home side could have opened the scoring 10 minutes in when Aaron Lennon was brought down in the box, giving Everton a penalty, but Ross Barkley's spot kick lacked power and Tom Heaton made a comfortable save.
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The keeper had to make another stop a few minutes later when Seamus Coleman sent a cross in for Leighton Baines, but Heaton was able to palm it clear for the visitors.
Burnley tried to create some pressure down the other end as Kieran Trippier curled the ball into a packed box from a free kick, but Phil Jagielka eventually hooked it clear.
It was Everton who continued to look the more likely, though, and they took the lead when Arouna Kone flicked the ball into the path of Mirallas, leaving the winger to roll the ball into the back of the net.
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Sean Dyche's men had a chance to level moments later when David Jones was left unmarked in the box, but his curling finish was high of the crossbar.
Any hopes Burnley had of getting back into the match in the second half were dealt a blow in stoppage time before the interval as Ashley Barnes was booked for the second time, earning himself a red card.
The Toffees were on the attack again early in the second half as Baines picked out Kone with a low cross, but the striker's finish came back off the post, while a foul elsewhere prevented him getting the rebound away.
Kone continued to look a threat as James McCarthy pulled the ball back for him, but he sliced the finish over the crossbar.
Everton brought Romelu Lukaku on for the final half an hour after the striker overcame a hamstring injury that has kept him out of his last two matches, but it was Baines who had the next chance to extend their lead, but Heaton kept hold of his rifled shot.
The hosts relentlessly piled forward in a bid to find a second goal, with Baines setting up Lennon, while Coleman tried to squeeze the ball in at the near post, but neither could get the better of Heaton.
The Burnley keeper continued to be kept busy between the posts late on as Baines curled a free kick into the path of Gareth Barry, who had been left in plenty of space, but Heaton reacted quickly to make the stop.
The result leaves Everton unbeaten in their last five league matches, putting them 12th in a table which is now propped up by Burnley.
Sian Cowper
