Everton 3-1 Burnley: heroes, villains and player ratings as Andros Townsend steals the show

The Toffees moved back joint-top of the Premier League with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.
By Will Rooney
Published 13th Sep 2021, 21:57 BST
Updated 13th Sep 2021, 22:00 BST
Andros Townsend celebrates scoring in Everton’s defeat of Burnley. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImageAndros Townsend celebrates scoring in Everton’s defeat of Burnley. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Image
Andros Townsend celebrates scoring in Everton’s defeat of Burnley. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Image

Everton’s brilliant start to the 2021-22 Premier League season continued as they came from behind in style to defeat Burnley 3-1 on Monday night.

Ben Mee gave the Clarets the lead in the 53rd minute at Goodison Park but that was cancelled out by Michael Keane’s header on the hour mark.

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Andros Townsend then put the Toffees in front with a sublime long-range effort on 66 minutes before Demarai Gray rounded off the win two minutes later.

The victory moves Rafa Benitez’s side back to joint-top of the table on 10 points after four games.

The heroes

- Andros Townsend: the winger had a subdued first half but sparked into life in the second period. He put Keane’s equaliser on a plate before firing a goal-of-season contender of a strike only moments later.

- Michael Keane: the centre-back came in for some flak in the opening two games of the season. However, he helped repel a robust Burnley attack and headed the equaliser with aplomb.

Michael Keeane celebrates equalising for Everton against Burnley. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesMichael Keeane celebrates equalising for Everton against Burnley. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Michael Keeane celebrates equalising for Everton against Burnley. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
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-Abdoulaye Doucoure: two more assists for the all-action midfielder. The second was a defence-splitting pass to set Demarai Gray on his way. Doucoure is thriving under Benitez’s tutelage.

The villains

- Yerry Mina: the Everton defender was caught napping for Burnley’s opener. Rather than getting out like the rest of his team-mates, he instead played three maroon shirts onside and allowed Mee to nod beyond Jordan Pickford.

Ben Mee put Burnley in front against Everton. Picture: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty ImagesBen Mee put Burnley in front against Everton. Picture: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Ben Mee put Burnley in front against Everton. Picture: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

- Chris Wood: should have opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half when his run was spotted by Dwight McNeil but he failed to get any purchase on his header.

- Martin Atkinson: the referee made some bizarre decisions throughout the clash, including the booking of Townsend for virtually nothing.

Player ratings

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Everton (3-4-3): Pickford 6, Coleman 6, Keane 7, Mina 5, Godfrey 6 (Gomez 61; 8), Digne 6, Allan 8, Doucoure 8, Townsend 8, Gray 7 (Iwobi 88), Richarlison 6 (Rondon 81).

Burnley (4-4-2): Pope 5, Lowton 5, Tarkowski 5, Mee 6, Taylor 5, Gudmundsson 6 (Lennon 71; 5), Brownhill 4, Westwood 4, McNeil 6, Wood 4 (Rodriguez 86), Barnes 5 (Vydra 71; 5).

What’s next

Everton are back in action when they make the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday (17.30 BST).

Related topics:BurnleyChris WoodPremier LeagueLiverpool

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