Everton 2-0 Burnley: Easy

Everton did the deed today, that deed being one that has proven difficult for them at times this season - they easily beat a lower-table, defensive club. Burnley came to Goodison Park and were played off the pitch from the opening whistle. The Blues looked at times like Barcelona with their possession and precise passing, and some end product came along for the ride tonight, too.

Ben Mee deflected a Richarlison shot into his own net, and shortly after that Seamus Coleman headed the ball into an empty goal after Lucas Digne’s shot bounced off Tom Heaton. The goals weren’t spectacular by any means, but they were fully deserved, and it was a welcome respite from performances like last week’s against Crystal Palace.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye embarrassed the Clarets’ midfield for the entirety. Bernard and Gylfi Sigurdsson created chances, and the fullbacks both bombed forward in ways that we are becoming used to seeing.

The clean sheet was Everton’s 8th in their last 10 games, a remarkable feat when you consider the set piece defending issues from earlier in the year. No opponent has scored at Goodison Park since February 6 (Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City).

Phil Jagielka received a late cameo to wrap up proceedings, and the party was on. In what may be the captain’s final Everton appearance - at least at Goodison Park - the crowd roared, Seamus turned over the armband, and it got really dusty in my office.

The only black mark on tonight’s affairs was that Richarlison’s rib injury flared up again, and he had to be removed for Theo Walcott early in the second half. Other than that, Everton cruised. It was efficient, effective, and most of all, stress free. Combine these types of results with continuing to win games against the top six, and we’ll really have a stew cookin’.