Everton boosted their hopes of qualifying for Europe as they beat Burnley to earn a first home win in the Premier League for nearly three months.
Defender James Tarkowski opened the scoring with a thumping header in the 32nd minute, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added a second on the hour mark with a delicate dink over Martin Dubravka from close range.
The Blues – who last celebrated a win at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 6 December – defeated the relegation-threatened Clarets to move within a point of seventh-placed Brentford.
An 18th defeat of the Premier League season for Burnley, on the other hand, leaves them eight points from safety with nine games remaining,
After a weary opening 32 minutes on Merseyside, Tarkowski opened the scoring against his former club when he climbed highest to power home James Garner’s in-swinging set-piece from seven yards out.
It was the first time the England international had been on the scoresheet since his stunning, last-gasp equaliser in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park 13 months ago.
The home side nearly doubled the lead in stoppage time when Jarrad Branthwaite’s header was saved by Dubravka after another delightful free-kick delivery from Garner.
Everton raced out of the blocks at the start of the second half and had a second on the hour mark when Iliman Ndiaye – who had seen an effort ruled out for offside a couple of minutes earlier – slipped the ball through for Dewsbury-Hall to net his sixth Premier League goal of the season.
Idrissa Gueye came close to adding a third in the final 20 minutes but his curling effort from outside the box smashed the top of the crossbar.
After scoring three times in defeat against Brentford on Saturday, it took the visitors – who were without top scorer Zian Flemming – until the 79th minute to muster a shot on target.
Everton analysis: Ndiaye takes deserved acclaim
When Ndiaye was substituted in stoppage with his side 2-0 up, he took a moment to soak it all in.
The forward signed merchandise, shook hands and applauded supporters as he made his way around the perimeter of the pitch to the sound of a standing ovation from an exuberant Hill Dickinson crowd.
Who could blame him? It was a moment he and his team-mates had waited nearly three months for.
The Senegal international – as has so often been the case this season – was among the standout performers as the Blues strengthened their push for European qualification with a first home victory in 87 days.
There is no denying that the transition since leaving Goodison Park – their home of 133 years – has been a difficult one.
But heading into Tuesday’s contest with just four wins from 14 games at Hill Dickinson Stadium was simply not good enough.
It was a record that threatened to undermine the progress made in a campaign that – after reaching the 40-point mark in 28 games for only the second time in nine seasons, has the potential to be a memorable one.
But that promise will only be realised if Everton can settle into life on Liverpool’s Waterfront and banish their recent home struggles.
On Tuesday, Ndiaye looked perfectly at home. He will hope his team-mates now feel the same.
Burnley analysis: Clarets running on empty
After Burnley fought back from 3-0 down against Brentford on Saturday, only to lose 4-3, it felt as though the wind had finally been taken out of their fight for survival.
Draws with Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea, along with a win against Crystal Palace, had suggest Scott Parker’s side were still in the battle to retain their Premier League status.
But four days after ending up on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller, the Clarets looked physically and mentally drained from the first whistle at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton – who had not won at home since 6 December – secured the points without ever needing to move out of second gear.
Burnley’s lack of attacking threat without Flemming was particularly concerning and does not bode well if the Dutchman remains sidelined for any significant period of time.
That it took until the 79th minute to register a shot on target – a tame effort from Jaidon Anthony – told the story of a side running on empty.-BBC
