Everton beat Burnley to end home winless run and boost European hopes
The result moves the Toffees to within two points of sixth-placed Chelsea, reigniting their ambitions for continental qualification.
It marked a significant turning point for the Merseyside club, who celebrated their first victory at their new waterfront home since December.
Tarkowski haunts former club
James Tarkowski provided the breakthrough against his former employers, converting a teasing set-piece delivery from James Garner.
The centre-back, netting his first goal in a year, celebrated by cupping his ears towards the travelling supporters.
That opener laid the foundations for Everton to dominate proceedings and banish the anxiety that had plagued recent home performances.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall doubled the advantage after the interval, producing a delicate dinked finish after being teed up by Iliman N’diaye.
Clarets in defensive crisis
Burnley offered minimal resistance and have now conceded 58 goals this campaign, the worst defensive record in the Premier League.
The visitors were hampered by the absence of injured forward Zian Flemming, leaving them blunt in the final third.
Frustrations boiled over in the away end, with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” directed at manager Scott Parker following a second-half substitution.
Jordan Pickford preserved his clean sheet with a sharp stoppage-time save to deny Lyle Foster, compounding a miserable night for the Lancashire side.
Back-to-back defeats have left the Clarets looking vulnerable, with bottom club Wolves now closing the gap on 19th place.
