Everton vs Burnley - Burnley survival charge sparked by humiliating loss to Everton

Posted Friday, May 03, 2019 by PA

Burnley defender Charlie Taylor believes the club’s lowest point of the season was also the turning point that sparked the Clarets’ push for Premier League survival.

Sean Dyche’s men were thrashed 5-1 by tomorrow night’s opponents Everton at Turf Moor on Boxing Day, a result that left Burnley 18th in the table with just 12 points from 19 games, and three points adrift of safety.

Burnley head into the return fixture at Goodison Park knowing they will be in the top flight again next season after collecting 28 points from their last 17 games, chalking up eight wins and four draws.

Looking back on the humiliating loss to the Toffees just over four months ago, left-back Taylor said: “Just the manner of the defeat and the way everything went, the league table at that point, that was the lowest point – but in a good way it was a turning point.

“We knew things weren’t right. It wasn’t like us. We’d gone from being a good, solid defensive team to letting in five at home.

“We knew that wasn’t right. We knew things had to change and to get back to how we know we can play.”

Assessing the about-turn since that result, Taylor added: “In 2019 our form has been right up there with the best in the league, so that’s credit to us and everyone at the club.

“We knew at Christmas if we didn’t change things we’d be looking at being relegated and no-one wanted that. It was in our own hands and we had to pull our fingers out to turn it around.

“There was a lot of pressure on us at Christmas time and we’ve come through it with flying colours. It has been really good form.”

Burnley face an Everton side who are chasing a fourth consecutive home win as the club still has a shot at playing in Europe next season.

Everton are four points adrift of Wolves with two fixtures remaining in the race for seventh place – a position which would ensure a Europa League berth if Manchester City overcome Watford in the FA Cup final.

Boss Marco Silva feels a club of Everton’s stature should be playing in Europe every season.

“We have to play every single season in European competitions for us to keep growing as a club,” said Silva. “It has to be always a pleasure, it has to be always a fantastic challenge for us and not a problem.

“When this happens we have to prepare ourselves and the squad, and a deep squad, to prepare to play in both competitions. It will always be a big challenge, never a problem for us.”

Silva again has Yerry Mina available following a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

For Burnley, Peter Crouch and Phil Bardsley could be involved. Striker Crouch has missed the last five games after undergoing appendix surgery, while defender Bardsley has been absent for the last four due to a gashed leg.

Robbie Brady is available again after missing the 1-0 loss to Manchester City last Sunday to attend the birth of his son.