Everton 2-0 Burnley
by James Nalton
at Bramley-Moore Dock

GOING into their game against Burnley at Bramley-Moore on Tuesday night, Everton were still without a win at home in 2026.

Away from home, on the other hand, they had not lost since mid-December and are joint second in the Premier League on away form, level on points with Manchester City.

The way for David Moyes and his side to improve their fortunes this year was obvious. They needed to replicate what they have been able to do on their travels back home in their new stadium on the banks of the Mersey.

They managed this against Burnley, running out 2-0 winners and putting in a convincing display against an opposition side who were booed by their supporters who had made the evening trip over from the Lancashire town.

Everton opened the scoring when James Tarkowski found freedom in the Burnley area to head home James Garner’s free-kick.

To show not everything is about set pieces in the Premier League, Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall combined brilliantly for Everton’s second, with the kind of football fans would like to see more of here in their new home.

Jordan Pickford also got in on the act again, too. He had made headlines with his wonder save against Newcastle on Saturday, and his song was sung more loudly and more often on the back of that. 

He made an outstanding save from Lyle Foster in the dying moments of Tuesday’s match, giving him another standout stop to celebrate with the fans.

McNeil was also appreciated by the home support, who gave him a standing ovation when he was replaced by Tyrique George in the second half. 

McNeil had put in a performance deserving of such an ovation anyway, but it was also a case of the Everton fans getting behind their player and his family, who had been messed around by Crystal Palace in the transfer window when they cancelled his move there at the last minute, with personal arrangements already made.

The win keeps Everton eighth, just five points off fifth-placed Liverpool. They face Arsenal at Ashburton Grove when league matches return following the FA Cup weekend. It’s a game that pits one of the best traveling sides in the league against the team bidding to be champions, and it could have a big say in the title race.