Everton extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games by sealing a 1-0 win over Burnley at Goodison Park this afternoon.
Despite just the one goal by Kevin Mirallas, the match was packed full of drama as Ross Barkley missed a first-half penalty and Ashley Barnes was sent off before the half-time whistle for a second bookable offence.
Burnley are now at the bottom of the table, two points adrift of safety, and they have just five games left to turn their fortunes around.
Below, Sports Mole assesses the 90 minutes of action that unfolded on Merseyside.
Match statistics
EVERTON
Shots: 21
On target: 8
Possession: 66%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 12
BURNLEY
Shots: 10
On target: 1
Possession: 34%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 15
Was the result fair?
Considering the statistics above, which show that Burnley had just one shot on target, they cannot argue with today's outcome. Everton controlled proceedings, and they should have ended the match with a higher goal tally, particularly with Barkley's penalty opportunity.
In fairness to Burnley, they had to play 45 minutes with just 10 men after Barnes's sending off in the dying moments of the first half. Credit should be given to manager Sean Dyche as he continued to play with two out-and-out strikers, but it was not to be for the Clarets this afternoon and, while Dyche may feel aggrieved by some of the referee's decisions, they did not create enough to get on the scoresheet.
Everton's performance
Everton have struggled for goals this season, and that was evident once again this afternoon. However, this time, they took a stronghold on the game and were allowed plenty of space to launch wave after wave of attack. The controversial moment came when Barkley stood up to take the penalty, despite Leighton Baines being the regular taker. It is unclear whether the midfielder was given the nod by manager Roberto Martinez prior to the game, but Barkley could have been under fire had Mirallas not fired past goalkeeper Tom Heaton later in the first half.
Romelu Lukaku made his first appearance in two games off the bench, but he failed to add to the scoresheet during a game that Everton dominated. While Martinez will be pleased with the three points, he may feel as though his side should have scored more, given that they had much more possession.
Burnley's performance
The Clarets have developed a never-say-die attitude in the Premier League, and they adopted that same mindset when they went down to 10 men. While Burnley were on the back foot for the majority of the time, they did cut open Everton's defence in fleeting moments and they could rightfully feel slightly hard done by with Barnes's sending off. The forward was given his marching orders following a second bookable offence, but, on another day, the challenge that he made on Seamus Coleman may have resulted in simply free kick. It was one of those incidents where there is a slight grey area.
It is easy to say in hindsight, but David Jones will be kicking himself that he could not convert a glorious opportunity before the end of the first half. The midfielder only had goalkeeper Tim Howard to get past after finding space in the box, but his effort flew over the crossbar. Over the course of the game, the visiting side had chances to strike, but nothing seemed to come off for them.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Leighton Baines: The England international has dipped in and out of form over the course of the season, but this afternoon the left-back was in fine fettle. He linked up brilliantly with both Mirallas and Aaron Lennon down the flank and managed to get himself into attacking positions and cause a threat. Baines's penalty record would probably have resulted in Everton coming away with a 2-0 win if he had taken the spot kick in the first half.
Biggest gaffe
In most cases, Barkley would get this award for his poor penalty attempt, but, considering how the game unfolded, Jones's failed shot at goal and Danny Ings's missed header just edge him out. Ings's attempt was especially poor, as it was deep into the first half and all he needed to do was knock it past Howard and into the net. The striker, who has not scored in his last seven league games, had plenty of space and that was definitely the moment for Burnley to get a point.
Referee performance
Mike Jones was questioned by the Burnley players when he awarded Everton an early penalty. Lennon was definitely brought down by Jones, but the argument was whether the foul had taken place just outside of the box. Replays show that contact was made behind the line, but the tackle carried on into the box, so the match official made the right call.
Another controversial moment came when he decided to give Barnes a second yellow card for his challenge on Coleman. Some referees would have just given a free kick and possibly a stern word to the Burnley man as he was already on a yellow, but, in fairness to Jones, he booked another player for a similar tackle later in the game, so at least he was consistent.
What next?
Everton: The Toffees face a tough task at home to Manchester United on Sunday, April 26.
Burnley: The Clarets need to get points on the board as they host fellow struggling side Leicester City at Turf Moor on Saturday, April 25.
Danielle Joynson
