Everton player ratings: three score 8/10 but ‘peripheral’ 5/10 in Burnley victory - gallery
Will Rooney
·5-min read
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: James Tarkowski of Everton celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Everton and Burnley at Goodison Park on November 01, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Everton marched into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup as they eased to a 3-0 victory over Burnley at Goodison Park.
Former Claret duo Dwight McNeil and James Tarkowski came back to haunt their old side when they combined for the opening goal before Amadou Onana and Ashley Young bagged after the interval - ensuring it was a successful night for Toffees manager Sean Dyche facing the team he served for nine-and-a-half years for the first time.
It was also further evidence of the progress being made at L4, with the home side now winning five of their previous seven games in all competitions.
Didn't have to make a save in the first half although kicking a little wayward. Also didn't make a save in the second period, with the highlight when he brought down a long ball with the utmost ease.
Everton started the game on top, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin heading wide in the ninth minute before Onana’s low drive was well held by Burnley keeper Arijanet Muric.
And the deadlock was broken in the 13th minute when the two ex-Clarets combined. McNeil whipped in a cross from the left that picked out Tarkowski to power home a header. Then six minutes later, McNeil almost condemned his previous employers to fall further behind but his 25-yard shot missed the target.
Jordan Pickford was barely troubled in the Blues goal throughout the opening 45 minutes, with Jarrad Branthwaite making two important blocks to quell promising Burnley moves. On 29 minutes, Onana was left to rue a good opportunity when Muric spilled a cross but the Belgium international failed to finish into an unguarded goal.
Early in the second half, Calvert-Lewin had the ball in the back of the net but was penalised for a foul in the build-up. The striker then won Everton a corner, which would deliver a two-goal advantage. McNeil’s inviting cross was headed across the box by Tarkowski and there was Onana on hand to prod home from close range.
Put a couple of early crosses into the box in the first half that couldn't pick out blue shirts. Came on strong at the end, though having a shot well saved before adding the third for his first Everton goal by bursting into the area.
In the 64 minute, the Toffees should have put the game to bed. Calvert-Lewin span away from the Burnley defence wonderfully and Danjuma raced clear inside the box unmarked - but just couldn’t be found.
Dyche’s troops remained relatively comfortable for the rest of the encounter and looked far more likely to augment their advantage rather than see it decrease. Substitute Beto was disappointed he couldn’t find the target when he found space from six yards while Young forced a decent save out of Muric. But Young would notch his maiden Everton goal in stoppage-time when Beto pulled a cross from the byline and the former Aston Villa man steered beyond the keeper.
All in all, it was a thoroughly deserved win for an upwardly mobile Blues side who are now three games from a Wembley appearance. Here’s how we rated the Everton players.
Couldn't have met the ball any better to open the scoring. Sound defensively in the first half then headed the ball back across goal to set up Onana's goal. Didn't put a foot wrong throughout the second period.
Set the tone when winning an emphatic header moments into the game and then made two crucial blocks in the first period. Untroubled for much of the second period before making a perfectly timed sliding tackle on the edge of his box.
Lost concentration for a brief period in the first half when giving away two quick fouls but solid otherwise. Strayed out of position once in the second half but otherwise stifled any danger that came his way.
Got up and down in the first half but lacked that bit of quality at times. Similar in the second half before subbed in the 78th minute.
Started the first half with a thunderous challenge and showed energy in abundance, although was disappointed he stuck a big chance over the bar. May not score many easier goals for the second but still showed composure and then took control of the engine room after that. Subbed in the 79th minute.
Made a crucial international in the Everton box in the first half and did everything required. Made another important challenge after the break inside his own area.
Cross was on the money for Tarkowski's header and got everywhere in the first half when Everton were on the attack. Corner engineered the second goal and then continued to ask Burnley questions.
Showed good footwork in the first half to tee-up McNeil but otherwise a peripheral figure. Then couldn't quite get on the end of Calvert-Lewin's cross in the second half before being withdrawn in the 68th minute.
Proved a focal point in the first half although dragged two chances off target. Effort in the second period led to the corner for the second goal and then just couldn't pick out Danjuma when displaying brilliant skill before being subbed in the 68th minute. Another good display.
Had a long-range effort that couldn't find the target then prodded wide from around six yards when he should have shot with his left foot. Made up for that error when he got to the byline and got his head up to pick out Young lurking.
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