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Everton at Burnley: Live Gamethread

Blues at Turf Moor today.

Jan Kruger

Premier League newcomers Burnley have had a tough go of it so far. They battled Chelsea valiantly in their season-opener, and then held Manchester United to a scoreless draw, also at home. But apart from that, they've had little to cheer about and have four points from four draws this season.

Everton have had a stuttering start to the season so far too, but look like they're putting their defensive woes behind them with a comprehensive dismantling of Aston Villa last weekend. Roberto Martinez has not lost to Burnley with his previous clubs Swansea City and Wigan Athletic, and will be keen to pick up another three points today.

Martinez has noted that he thought the Turf Moor side were unlucky not to have picked up a win yet.

"It's a huge challenge because I saw Burnley play a lot during last season and they are a really strong unit.
"I think they play as a team, they know each other really well, they've got really good energy. I think the start they had in the Premier League has already given them very good experiences and I know it's going to be really tough to face them on Sunday.
"It's difficult to describe the job that (manager) Sean (Dyche) has done. Going into a team that had no expectations to get promoted and all of a sudden they played a very dynamic and exciting brand of football that gave them promotion."

Meanwhile, Martinez also quelled new rumors of interest in Ross Barkley from Manchester City, United and Liverpool, saying that he was unconcerned by the rumors and was going to continue to develop his side as he wanted. He also went on to say there is no buy-out clause in Barkley's contract, so any bids for the 20-year-old would have to be astronomical to persuade Everton to part with their young star.

Starting lineups -

Everton XI: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Alcaraz, Coleman; Naismith, McCarthy, Barry, Osman; Eto'o, Lukaku

Everton subs: Robles, Hibbert, Gibson, McGeady, Barkley, Pienaar, Besic

Burnley XI: Heaton; Trippier, Shackell (c), Duff, Ward; Kightly, Jones, Arfield, Boyd; Jutkiewicz, Ings

Burnley subs: Gilks, Keane, Wallace, Barnes, Sordell, Chalobah, Mee

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