Cenk Tosun, signed in January from Besiktas for a reported £27million, finally headed home his first Everton goal after 20 minutes.

Burnley, who had endured a 12-game winless run in all competitions, were level in the 56th minute thanks to Ashley Barnes’ strike and the hosts secured the victory through substitute Wood with ten minutes left.

Everton, who have won just twice in their last 11 Premier League games, saw Ashley Williams sent off late on for elbowing Barnes.

It was a historic victory for the Clarets, who gifted manager Sean Dyche all three points on his 250th game in charge. It also marked the first time Burnley have won a Premier League match after conceding the first goal and took them to the 40-point mark.

For Everton meanwhile, their sixth consecutive away defeat leaves them in tenth place, just seven points above the bottom-three.

Ahead of the game, manager Sam Allardyce had claimed big signing Tosun was struggling to adapt to English football becasue of the weather, and he responded by scoring his first goal for the club on the coldest weekend of the season to put Everton in the lead – nodding after Seamus Coleman flicked on Theo Walcott’s cross.

Jordan Pickford staked his claim as England’s number one to keep Everton in front with three excellent saves in front of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, but he was finally beaten in the second half as Burnely came roaring back after the break

Burnley dominated possession and set about trying to find an equaliser. After Gudmundsson saw a goal-bound shot blocked, Pickford had to be at his best to claw away a header from Barnes.

Walcott was again unable to match good build-up play with a finish as he then poked a shot weakly at Pope.

Everton looked very dangerous in attack but they were having to do a lot of defending and Burnley probably should have equalised in the 40th minute but they could not make the most of an excellent free-kick from the lively Gudmundsson.

Dyche switched to 4-4-2 for the second half, bringing on Wood for his first appearance since sustaining a knee injury in December in place of Jeff Hendrick.

The Clarets immediately went on the offensive but could not find a way past Pickford, who pushed former Everton man Lennon’s shot behind before reacting quickly to keep out Ben Mee’s header from the corner.

The key to beating Pickford turned out to be a precision through ball from the right from Matthew Lowton that took out the entire Everton defence. Pickford chose to stay on his line and Barnes made him pay with a thumping finish.

Allardyce sent on Rooney for Tom Davies but the momentum remained with Burnley and, faced with the same situation after Lowton played in Barnes, Pickford came off his line to block.

Rooney gradually began to exert his influence as Everton started to have more possession and a spell of real dominance ended with Sigurdsson shooting wide when he probably should have scored.

That miss looked very costly when, moments later, Burnley netted the winner. Pickford felt he was fouled but referee Christopher Kavanagh saw nothing wrong as Wood headed in Gudmundsson’s corner virtually from on the line.

Allardyce reacted by sending on Yannick Bolasie for Sigurdsson to boos from the Everton fans. The Toffees threw everything at Burnley in the closing stages but Williams’ red card rather summed things up.

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Source: Talksport

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The 24-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with last season’s Premier League champions and will wear the number eight shirt.

Barkley, who leaves Everton after 13 years at the club, has not played for seven months because of a hamstring injury and had surgery in August.

“He’s very young and has a lot of space for improvement,” said Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.

Upon signing for the Premier League champions, Barkley said: ‘I’m overwhelmed, I’m looking forward to it and I’m really excited to get started.

‘To be given a fresh start at a new club like Chelsea, it’s unbelievable for me. I’m looking forward to continuing where I left off at the end of last season and hoping to improve and add more goals to my game.’

Club director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘Ross is a player we have long admired and are certain he will prove to be an important player for Chelsea. He possesses outstanding technical and physical attributes, matched with good experience of the Premier League and a strong desire to succeed at the highest level. We welcome him to the club and look forward to seeing him in action.’

Barkley arrives with a wealth of experience for a player so young, having already made 150 Premier League appearances for Everton, as well as being named in England squads for both the World Cup and European Championships.

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Source: BBC Sport

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Barkley turned down a move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day in August.

But negotiations between the clubs resumed once the transfer window re-opened on 1 January.

The 24-year-old England man rejected a new deal at Everton and is out of contract at the end of this season, opening the door to a cut-price move.

Barkley has yet to play this season after having hamstring surgery following a training injury but is now approaching match fitness.

Everton manager Sam Allardyce said on Thursday the club had been resigned to losing Barkley for some time.

And now, barring late hitches, he is likely to secure a move to Chelsea.

It will mean the player is leaving Goodison Park after 13 years, having joined Everton as an 11-year-old in 2005.

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Source: BBC

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Saints striker Charlie Austin scored two second-half headers on his first league start of the season as the Toffees capitulated after half-time.

They have now won only once in seven games under Unsworth.

“It’s killing me,” said the 44-year-old former Everton defender, who urged the board to quickly appoint a permanent manager.

“I take responsibility, but we all have to as well. We’re in a tough place and things have to change quickly.”

Unsworth said the performance at St Mary’s was “not acceptable” and the team need to “get back to basics”.

He added: “Confidence is as low as it has ever been. The club has to decide and the sooner that happens the better. The players need this resolving.

“What I see is a happy squad but I’d rather have an unhappy squad that’s winning. I want what’s best for the club and I hope the players do too.”

Dusan Tadic gave the hosts an early lead but Everton’s record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled just before the break.

After Austin’s double, Steven Davis scored from the edge of the box to wrap up victory for the Saints, who had previously scored only six league goals at home this season.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s men produced a vibrant attacking display that should lift the pressure on the Argentine after his side failed to muster a shot on target in the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool.

With Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares offering a constant threat down the flanks, and Austin intent on making his mark, the Saints could have scored more.

Austin hit the post after 11 minutes following tenacious work out wide from Soares, and defender Virgil van Dijk headed wide on 40 minutes following James Ward-Prowse’s corner.

Capitulation follows capitulation for Everton

Everton are now winless in 15 Premier League away games and remain two points above the bottom three

This defeat came just three days after a 5-1 loss to Atalanta in the Europa League, and ex-Everton striker Gary Lineker described the club as “a shambles” as they collapsed at St Mary’s.

The Toffees seem rudderless on and off the pitch, and former defender Unsworth has been unable to add any stability since Ronald Koeman was sacked in October.

Everton have now conceded 28 goals in the Premier League this season – their worst tally after 13 games since 1958-59.

Their only win under Unsworth came on 5 November against Watford, whose manager Marco Silva has been a target for the Toffees.

But, with the Portuguese seemingly now off the agenda, it is difficult to work out if the club had a plan for life after Koeman.

A worrying lack of clarity over their manager search is echoed on the pitch, where capitulation follows capitulation and the players’ body language looks increasingly forlorn.

Something has to give and fast – because they are playing like a side with very real prospects of going down.

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Source: BBC Sport

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The Senegal international won a controversial penalty, after minimal contact from Scott Dann, in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, with Leighton Baines scoring the penalty.

Niasse went on to score the equaliser at Selhurst Park.

He has until 18:00 GMT to respond.

New laws were introduced in May allowing players to be charged after a game for simulation. Carlisle forward Shaun Miller was the first to be banned for two games in October.

Bristol City defender Bailey Wright was suspended for two games earlier this month after being found guilty of simulation. He went down in an off-the-ball incident with Fulham’s Aboubakar Kamara, whose red card for the clash was later rescinded.

Manchester City forward Bernardo Silva and Watford’s Richarlison have both avoided charges this season.

Former Premier League head of referees Keith Hackett spoke to BBC Radio 5 live about the decision: “I think on this one, he deceived Anthony Taylor 100%. Anthony, in a good position, gave the penalty kick from his viewing angle.

“But the cameras behind the goal were clear that it was a dive. I applaud the FA for bringing out the fact that they can review these incidents, and then subsequently if the player is found guilty, punish.

“Why not take this valuable step of introducing the VAR

, so that the team that were playing Everton on Saturday are not punished by a goal that’s been scored for what, in effect, is cheating by the player – allegedly.”

An FA statement read: “Incidents which suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation are referred to a panel consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player.

“Each panel member will be asked to review all available video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it was an offence of ‘Successful Deception of a Match Official’.

“Only in circumstances where the panel are unanimous would the FA issue a charge.”

Match of the Day analysis on Saturday

Former Everton defender Phil Neville said: “It was a dive. It was 100% a dive. There’s a bit of contact but he goes down trying to win the penalty. It’s a soft penalty.”

Former England captain Alan Shearer agreed: “I think it is a clear dive and he should be punished.”

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Source: BBC Sport

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The Portuguese, who takes his side to Goodison Park on Sunday, is reported to be on Everton’s shortlist to replace Ronald Koeman after he was sacked last month.

Silva has impressed during his stint in the Premier League, first at Hull during the second half of last season, and then during his short spell at Vicarage Road this term, too.

Everton, who are winless from their last eight matches, will be keen to act quickly, but Silva said he had not been in contact with anyone from the Merseyside club.

“Nobody has approached me and I am staying focused on the next match,” the 40-year-old said.

“We need to respect our club, our opponent and our sole focus is to prepare our players for the match on Sunday, and do the best we can to win.

“They will play at home. They are strong and they want to change the situation they are in. But regarding these rumours, now is not the moment to talk about them.”

Everton have lost their last five matches to slide into the relegation places, and were dumped out of the Europa League on Thursday night following a 3-0 defeat at Lyon.

Caretaker manager David Unsworth has revealed he is treating Sunday’s showdown at Goodison Park like a cup final as he bids to prove he has what it takes to be handed the Everton job on a permanent basis.

Watford have won three games on the road this season – the same number they managed under Walter Mazzarri during the whole of last season – but have a poor record at Everton.

Indeed the Hornets have picked up just one point from their last 10 visits to Goodison. Silva, however, is keen to turn that unwanted statistic on its head.

“It’s our goal to win,” Silva added. “Of course those numbers are not good, and we will try to change the situation.

“It’s one more good thing to talk with the players to change. We changed some things in the last few months and we will try to do the same on Sunday.

“When you are in the bottom three it’s never easy to play and for us it’s the same. We prepare in the same way always and did what we normally do after a match. We started work on our opponent and it’s our way. We don’t change anything.”

Silva will be without suspended Troy Deeney, who begins his three-match suspension, while Roberto Pereyra, Sebastian Prodl, and Younes Kaboul are all still sidelined.

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Source: talksport.com

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A statement said the club “would like to express their gratitude to Ronald for the service he has given to the club over the past 16 months”.

The Toffees are 18th in the Premier League and have won just two of their nine league games this season.

“I still believe I can change the whole situation,” Koeman had said on Sunday.

Koeman became the third Premier League managerial casualty of the season after Frank de Boer left Crystal Palace and Craig Shakespeare was sacked by Leicester.

The 54-year-old Dutchman, who guided Everton to seventh place in his first season in charge last term, paid the price for a poor start to this season despite having spent £140m in the summer.

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Source: BBC Sport

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After withstanding some early pressure, Sean Dyche’s side took the lead against the run of play with build-up play which included a series of 24 passes.

Everton’s Nikola Vlasic was caught ball-watching as Stephen Ward cut it back into the box for Hendrick, who smartly sidestepped Morgan Schneiderlin’s poor attempt at a challenge and placed it into the net from 15 yards.

It is Burnley’s best ever start to a Premier League season as they move to sixth in the table and have eight away points, more than they accumulated in the whole of last season.

The Toffees have now lost four of their last five Premier League games and are two places above the relegation zone.

Everton struggle after bright start

Everton made a lively start to the game inside the opening 20 minutes, a contrast to some of their slow and lacklustre performances so far this season, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s pace causing Burnley early problems.

Oumar Niasse, who scored two goals as a substitute against Bournemouth last week, bent a shot from outside the area straight into the hands of Nick Pope in the Burnley goal.

The Senegal striker then attempted a dink over the goalkeeper from close range, with his effort cleared off the line.

The Toffees’ record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson then missed a chance to put his side in front after his side-footed effort was easily saved by Pope. The Icelandic midfielder, making his 250th league appearance, is yet to register an assist or score in the Premier League for Everton.

Everton struggled in the second-half as they chased the equaliser. Calvert-Lewin and Niasse failed to make any real impact and Sigurdsson’s performance was best demonstrated by a long-range shot which was blasted well over the bar.

Wayne Rooney came on as a second-half substitute but could not find a way through Burnley’s stubborn defence.

Everton did have two late penalty shouts, firstly when a Rooney header glanced off the raised hand of Matt Lowton and a Williams header seemed to strike Lowton on the chest rather than the hand.

Former Everton and Scotland winger Pat Nevin described Everton’s performance as being “painful to watch”.

“If you are a striker it doesn’t matter if you get the ball or not you have to work your socks off. You have to create space for your partner or other players to run into the space you vacate. You have to do horrible miles for others,” Nevin said on the BBC.

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Source: BBC Sport

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Republic of Ireland international Hendrick was on the end of a sweeping move as the Clarets’ 1-0 win was added to a collection of positive road results already featuring a victory at Chelsea and draws at Tottenham and Liverpool.

But it plunged Everton straight back into a crisis, with last weekend’s win over Bournemouth – their only league victory since the opening day of the season – a distant memory as four league defeats in five matches have left manager Koeman’s side just two points above the bottom three.

Burnley’s 12-point haul represents their best start to a Premier League campaign. In contrast to their hosts, who looked disjointed and desperate at times despite some significant summer investment, each one of Sean Dyche’s players knows the game plan and they never deviate from it.

Hendrick easily side-stepped Morgan Schneiderlin in the penalty area to slide home a low shot after Scott Arfield and Stephen Ward combined down the left towards the end of a 24-pass move bettered only in numbers by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this season.

Everton visibly crumbled, with Ashley Williams lucky to escape when his clearance rebounded off Hendrick to Arfield, who was booked for diving in the penalty area after the pedestrian centre-back attempted to correct his error.

Koeman had criticised his players for being “afraid” after the midweek Europa League draw at home to Apollon Limassol and he injected some youthful exuberance with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nikola Vlasic given starts.

Oumar Niasse, ineligible in Europe after being excluded from the squad, made his first league start for Everton since May 2016 and his first under Koeman.

He partnered Calvert-Lewin up front with Wayne Rooney dropped to the bench for the first time since his return from Manchester United.

For a while it appeared to be working with Niasse’s energy supplemented by some purposeful running from the two youngsters, creating two chances for Gylfi Sigurdsson. But the Iceland international – so clinical for Swansea but yet to open his Everton account in the league – wasted them both.

However, Dyche’s Burnley are masters at making the most of what little they have and despite their hosts’ perceived dominance they were able to cut through them with ease midway through the first half.

From there the Toffees laboured with little reward after the break with Rooney and academy graduate Tom Davies sent on for the final quarter to try and break a well-drilled Burnley side’s tight grip on the game.

That they failed was as much down to the Clarets’ resilience as it was to Everton’s failings as Dyche’s men have already proved their mettle in similar situations on the road this season.

Rooney thought he should have had a penalty when his flick-on from Sigurdsson’s cross bounced on to Matthew Lowton’s arm but, unlike last week, there would be no late reprieve.

The boos ringing out at the end left Koeman in no doubt as to how bad a start this has been.

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Source: TalkSport

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Mourinho made the observation in his programme notes before United’s 4-0 home win over the Toffees, citing their £140m of summer spending as evidence.

But Koeman said: “Is there anybody who sees this as realistic for Everton?

“Please, come on. Fans, press – we need time.”

When asked what he considered to be a realistic target, the Dutchman said: “The same as last season.”

Everton finished seventh in 2016-17 in the 54-year-old’s first season at the club, eight points adrift of sixth-placed United.

Everton’s tough start

Everton have now lost four games in a row by a combined total of 12 goals to nil and have dropped into the Premier League’s bottom three.

They have failed to score in four consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since April 2006, including in their 3-0 Europa League defeat against Atalanta on Thursday.

Wayne Rooney is the only player to register a league goal for them, and his last was a first-half effort at Manchester City on 21 August.

“When you look at the fixtures at the start of the season, we knew we wouldn’t win them all,” said Koeman.

‘A goal to remind me of Maradona’

“We have played Manchester City, United and Chelsea away, plus Tottenham at home. Four title contenders, with the Europa League in between.

“Now we have four games at home in different competitions and we need to win. If you don’t win it is better to stop.”

Everton’s next two Premier League games are against 19th-placed Bournemouth and Burnley, both at Goodison Park.

Before that, they entertain Championship side Sunderland in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

‘Every manager has doubts’

Koeman said: “Every manager in life has doubts. If you don’t win and you have a big number of players in your squad, you have doubts about how you need to start and the system to play. That is normal.

“I ask myself the question ‘why, why’?”

Despite his pre-match comments about the Toffees targeting a top-four spot, Mourinho did have some sympathy for Koeman and his side’s difficult start to the season.

“Everton are going to be fine but they are living a difficult moment,” said the Portuguese.

“I would not like these fixtures all together at the same time. I would like one of the top five, but all of them, that is not fair for them.”

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Source: BBC

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