DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN’S late header gave Carlo Ancelotti the perfect start to life in the Goodison Park dugout.
The Italian had previously planned to spent the holiday season on holiday in Vancouver – instead Burnley were giving him a stark reminder of what life in the Premier League is like.
Calvert-Lewin’s late header gave Ancelotti all three pointsCredit: Getty – Contributor
The Toffees had to dig deep to seal the pointsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Sean Dyche’s side were dogged as the rain lashed down at a sodden Goodison, with the men in claret and blue largely stifling Everton with blocks, tackles and long balls.
The match was largely devoid of goalmouth action – but Ancelotti’s side remained patient, with Calvert-Lewin eventually giving the 60-year-old something to smile about.
Toffees defender Yerry Mina had to be alert early on, when he headed the ball off the line after a Burnley set piece caused havoc in the penalty area.
But soon after it was Burnley’s turn to struggle to deal with a set piece.
A Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick fell to Mason Holgate in the six yard box – but with the goal at his mercy, the young defender blasted straight at Nick Pope – with Mina scuffing the rebound wide.
Djibril Sidibe was next to sting the palms of Pope – with Everton dominating Ancelotti’s first 45 in charge, but without possessing enough cutting edge to break down the stubborn Clarets.
Some fans at Goodison thought their side had scored in the 56th minute when Sidibe charged onto Sigurdsson’s through ball into the penalty area.
The Frenchman’s touch was heavy, but the ball ricocheted back onto him and trickled towards goal.
Ancelotti was given a hero’s welcome by the Everton faithfulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But the fans that leapt into the air in jubilation were disappointed to find that the ball had only hit the side netting.
Shortly after, Robbie Brady headed a rare Burnley opportunity well wide after a lovely cross from the talented Dwight McNeil.
Seamus Coleman then lashed a left-footed shot from range narrowly over Pope’s bar with 20 minutes to go in a second half characterised by blocked through balls and passes going astray.
Mina headed another Sigurdsson set piece straight at Pope as the Toffees desperately tried to grab the lead.
There was nearly a moment of controversy when the linesman flagged for handball after Jordan Pickford collected a speculative Burnley chipped pass into the channel.
But the Clarets failed to make anything of the resulting free-kick and the danger cleared.
Ancelotti then turned to Moise Kean in the 77th minute – with the Goodison faithful roaring as one to welcome their 19-year-old Italian international onto the field.
But it was Dominic Calvert-Lewin who finally broke the deadlock for Everton with ten minutes to go.
Mason Holgate had spurned Everton’s best chance from close rangeCredit: Reuters
Sigurdsson kept the ball in play on the right-hand side, before slipping it to Sidibe.
The Frenchman then delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Calvert-Lewin – with the in-form young striker expertly planting a header into the bottom corner down to the helpless Pope’s right hand side – with Goodison erupting.
Burnley failed to even threaten an equaliser in the remaining ten minutes – as Ancelotti got off to the perfect start.
The match was bitty and at times a difficult watch, and Everton’s new boss will know there is much work to be done if his team are to get to where they want to be.
But the former Premier League winner can be satisfied with his winning start.
New Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti says it is his dream to bring the club to the top of the Premier League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
