Everton finally ended their long wait for a Premier League victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium with a controlled 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Burnley, a result that strengthens their push for European qualification. James Tarkowski and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored in either half as the Toffees claimed a first home league success of 2026 and their first on Merseyside since 6 December.
Tarkowski broke the deadlock on 32 minutes with a thumping header against his former club before Dewsbury-Hall's delicate dink on the hour mark, set up by Iliman Ndiaye, ensured a comfortable margin that Everton rarely looked like surrendering. Burnley, missing injured top scorer Zian Flemming and offering very little response to Everton's dominance, failed to register a shot on target until the 79th minute and saw their bleak evening compounded when Jordan Pickford produced a stoppage-time stop to deny Lyle Foster. The result moves Everton within a point of seventh-placed Brentford and within two points of sixth in the Premier League, while Burnley remain in 19th with their goals-against tally now a league‑worst 58.
Former Claret Tarkowski provides the breakthrough
After a weary, cagey opening 32 minutes on Merseyside, clear chances were at a premium as Everton probed without finding a way through and Burnley focused on maintaining their shape. The tension inside Hill Dickinson Stadium, seven games into life at the club's new ground and with no home league win since early December, was palpable until a set-piece opportunity changed the mood.