RAFA’S TALK OF THE TOWN NOW
New boy Andros’ screamer helps lift Toffees into the top four
AFTER some fans vehemently opposed his appointment, most Everton supporters are probably very happy Rafa Benitez is in charge.
Benitez masterminded another second-half comeback at Goodison Park to move the Toffees into the top four, level with the Premier League’s early pacesetters.
The hosts exploded into life on the hour mark and made short work of Burnley with three goals in a devastating six-minute burst.
Benitez’s two summer signings, Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray, did the damage and each chipped in with a goal.
Townsend’s effort to put Everton 2-1 up was a screamer, while he also assisted for Michael Keane’s equaliser.
Gray bagged the third with his third goal for Everton and he looks like the bargain of the summer at just £1.7million.
The Toffees were without Dominic Calvert-lewin – the striker missed the last England squad with a thigh injury and has also had a toe problem. Benitez (below) says he could be out for up to three weeks, and responded by switching to a 3-4-3 formation with Richarlison deployed through the middle.
Everton struggled to adapt to their new system and Burnley, who know Sean Dyche’s tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation inside out, took advantage to initially pose the greater threat.
Chris Wood had a shot deflected over for a corner and keeper Jordan Pickford saved Dwight Mcneil’s deflected effort. Wood then hooked the ball back for Ashley Barnes to tee-up Josh Brownhill, whose shot was saved by Pickford.
The home fans grew restless – this was not what they expected.
Their mood improved when Townsend cut in from the right to find Abdoulaye Doucoure, who made a great run into the box, and Nick Pope made a fine save to keep out his shot.
There was some bad blood when Richarlison left Ben Mee needing treatment to his face following a challenge, and James Tarkowski exacted revenge when he took out
the Brazilian on the far touchline. Referee Martin Atkinson took no action against Tarkowski and Everton became more incensed when he booked Townsend for an innocuous challenge on Charlie Taylor.
Benitez felt Taylor dived and his sense of injustice increased when Burnley scored from the set-piece in the 53rd minute.
Everton only half-cleared Mcneil’s free-kick and Johann Gudmundsson swung the ball back in for Mee to head home from six yards.
The Toffees were finally stung into action and seven minutes later they worked the ball well out to Townsend on the right.
He cut inside on to his left foot and crossed for the unmarked Keane to head home against his former club.
The hosts’ second in the 65th minute was a stunner. Doucoure fed Townsend, who slalomed inside Taylor, before hitting home an unstoppable effort from nearly 30 yards.
The Clarets were all over the place and Everton scored a third a minute later when Doucoure found Gray in the middle with a superb pass and he slotted home past Pope.