Despite this season’s woes, many Burnley fans will have been excited to tick off a new ground on the club’s first ever venture to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
[placeholder image
Read More
'Anger', 'confusion': Scott Parker's reaction to Burnley's dismal defeat at Ever...](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/anger-confusion-scott-parkers-reaction-to-burnleys-dismal-defeat-at-everton-5619118 "'Anger', 'confusion': Scott Parker's reaction to Burnley's dismal defeat at Everton")
But after what was served up, they would have been left wondering why they’d even bothered, because it felt like one giant waste of time.
In a season that has seen the Clarets lose 18 of their 29 league games and win just one of their last 20, they have – for the large part – still remained pretty competitive.
But not on this occasion. This can be filed alongside Brighton and Sunderland, because Scott Parker’s side were miles off it. They looked like a Championship side, and not a very good one at that, dazzled by the bright lights of the top flight.
While many have already written off Burnley’s survival chances, Parker and his players insist they will fight until it’s mathematically impossible. But there was no evidence of that fight or desire on show.
This was pitiful, it was meek. It was a case of waving the white flag from the very first minute and surrendering. That’s no way to go down.
I’ve got no issue with a game plan that sees Burnley sit deep and hit opposition sides on the counter, which was clearly the strategy from the off. The only problem is, the Clarets only managed one of those two objectives. They sat deep, they sat deep and they sat deep some more, but only once – in the second minute when Lyle Foster shot harmlessly wide – did they ever look like causing any sort of threat on the break.
Burnley players look dejected following the defeat to Everton. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Burnley players look dejected following the defeat to Everton. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
The inevitable result of such an approach is the invitation of pressure. While Everton aren’t renowned for their on-the-ball threat, they’d much rather soak up pressure themselves, all it took was for one moment – or as it turned out, one set piece – to break the deadlock. And then what?
Once former Claret James Tarkowski headed home that first-half header, Burnley had no answer. Even if the second through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall hadn’t arrived, the Toffees still would have been more than comfortable holding onto a one-goal lead, because the Clarets weren’t able to offer anything meaningful in the way of attacking punch, sustained attacks or even a half chance or two.
Parker’s side ended the game with four shots on goal, with two on target, but most of those came during the final 10 minutes or so. There were ironic cheers from the away end in the 79th minute when Jaidon Anthony’s daisy cutter prompted a comfortable save from Jordan Pickford, the fed up Clarets recognising this as their first shot on target of the night.
“We’ve had a shot” was the chant, which was one of the more tame songs we heard on the night. The Burnley boss took the brunt of the frustration once again, with further renditions of “we want Parker out”, while his decision to replace Hannibal with Josh Laurent late on also prompted loud boos and further chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing”.
Hannibal tussles with former Claret James Tarkowski. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Hannibal tussles with former Claret James Tarkowski. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
While it’s worth noting Hannibal is currently fasting due to Ramadan, it was felt – in the moment – the switching of a more advanced midfielder who was at least attempting to take the game to Everton for a more defensively-minded player in Laurent was indicative of Parker’s perceived negative approach.
The Burnley Express has launched a new WhatsApp channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our Burnley Express WhatsApp channel.
That was the theme of the night: the negativity. Burnley are going down anyway, so why not have a shoot out – like they did against Brentford at the weekend – and at least have a bit of a go? At least give the fans something to get on board with.
But this? It was nothing-ness. A lack of quality can be forgiven, but a complete unwillingness to engage is unforgivable.
Jaidon Anthony had one of Burnley's two shots on target. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Jaidon Anthony had one of Burnley's two shots on target. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
Let’s not forget, while Everton are clearly a good side, they have one eye on European qualification after all. They’re not exactly world beaters. They weren’t anything special on the night either, but nor did they have to be, barely having to break sweat.
They hadn’t won at home since the start of December prior to Tuesday night’s game and yet they won’t have enjoyed an easier three points all season. The 2-0 scoreline actually flattered Burnley in the end.
Ironically, recent history tells us that when Burnley go two goals down this is usually their cue to wake up. But that wasn’t the case on this occasion.
So what now? After two games in the space of four days where Burnley *could* have made things interesting [well aware the word ‘could’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting] with at least one win, the opportunity has swiftly passed them by without note.
Instead of looking up, they’re now actually looking down. Wolves below them have moved to within three points after their dramatic late win against Liverpool, making it two wins in the space of five days. Burnley haven’t managed that in the past five months.
Scott Parker following the 2-0 defeat to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Scott Parker following the 2-0 defeat to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
Speaking of shootouts, the way the season’s going, Parker’s side are in for a final day showdown with Wolves to avoid the wooden spoon. That and an attempt to at least match, but ideally exceed, the 24-point tally the Clarets achieved under Vincent Kompany two years ago. That’s as good as it’s going to get.
Continue Reading