James Tarkowski spoke after opening the scoring in Everton's 2-0 win over Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium
James Tarkowski believes Everton have set themselves up to have “a really special season” after the win over Burnley. And the centre-back has explained why he repeated his Merseyside derby goal celebration after opening the scoring.
After going seven matches without victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the Blues returned to winning ways at home by defeating their captain’s previous club 2-0.
And Tarkowski said: “We finally got there. It feels like forever since we last won here. It’s nice to get three points here, for me to get a goal and a clean sheet.
“I thought it was a very good performance, and we gave them one chance at the end of the game, but apart from that, I thought we were pretty comfortable throughout and controlled it well.
“It probably looks like an easy game on paper, but they’ve been causing teams problems. They scored three against Crystal Palace and three against Brentford, so they’ve been scoring goals and to keep a clean sheet and restrict them to a minimum of chances was pleasing.
“We started well here earlier this season and things dropped off with some really disappointing results. Tonight is a step in the right direction and that’s the way we want to be.
“We want to control games, we moved the ball really well at times, because they were sat quite deep. Especially in the first half, it was hard to break down, but we found a way to get a goal.
“I felt the second goal was brilliant. Just the way we managed to work through them with some really quick passing and then a great finish from Kiernan (Dewsbury-Hall).”
Tarkowski put Everton on their way by heading in the opener on 32 minutes with what was his first goal in over a year since his spectacular last-gasp leveller ensured that after over 130 years of Merseyside derby combat, Liverpool didn’t finish with a winning record at Goodison Park.
With a cupped ear gesture, the 33-year-old’s celebration was reminiscent of what he did after his thunderous volley against the Reds and asked what prompted such a response, he said: “I don’t score enough. The manager is always telling me that I should be scoring more.
“I finally managed to get my head on one and I’ll be looking to score a few more before the season ends.
“I don’t know why (he cupped his ears) really. I got a bit giddy and it was the first thing that came into my head.
“I thought I’d repeat it because I don’t score many and I better enjoy them while I can.”
Everton now have a 10-day break before they return to action at Premier League leaders Arsenal but the result keeps them in the hunt for European qualification.
With nine games to go, seventh placed Brentford occupy what is currently the Europa Conference League space, but the Blues are just one point behind them.
Tarkowski said: “We’re putting ourselves in a position. If, at the start of the season, you’d have said that this was the position we’d be in with nine games to go, we’d have taken it for sure.
“It’s great opportunity for us. Obviously, it’s very tight, very competitive in that area, so we need to perform and keep picking up results, but we’ve given ourselves a chance to go on and have a really special season.”