Everton midfielder Ross Barkley ended a difficult week off the field by inspiring his team to an eighth straight home win with a 3-1 victory over Burnley at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday. Barkley's shot, deflected off Burnley defender Ben Mee, put Everton 2-1 up in the 71st minute and the league's top scorer Romelu Lukaku made sure of the win three minutes later with his 24th strike of the season. England international Barkley had been the victim of an assault in a bar on Sunday and was then at the centre of a controversial column in The Sun newspaper. He was given a standing ovation when he was substituted in the final moments. A 52nd-minute Sam Vokes penalty had brought Burnley level after Phil Jagielka had scrambled Everton ahead three minutes earlier. Barkley, who also faces a big decision over whether to commit to a new contract with Everton, offered reminders of his quality on the ball throughout as Ronald Koeman's team ensured Burnley remain without an away win this season. Despite that form, Burnley started confidently and went close to an opener in the 19th minute when Barkley was forced to clear a powerful Michael Keane header, from a corner, off the line. The visitors should have taken the lead in the 34th minute when an awful back-pass from Jagielka played in Burnley striker Sam Vokes but, clear on goal, the Welsh international shot tamely straight at Joel Robles. Everton, who had been tentative and subdued, ended the half strongly, however, with Mason Holgate bringing a fine save out of Burnley keeper Tom Heaton with a low drive towards the bottom corner. Koeman brought on an extra striker at the interval with Enner Valencia replacing Idrissa Gana and the Ecuadorean forward immediately tested Heaton with a fierce drive. Shortly after, the home side went ahead when Ashley Williams flicked a corner from Kevin Mirallas goalwards and Jagielka scrambled the ball over the line. The Everton lead lasted barely three minutes, though, Everton keeper Robles inexplicably sliding through the back of Vokes as he moved harmlessly away from the goal and the Burnley forward rose to convert the spot-kick. Mirallas wasted a good opportunity when found by Barkley inside the area but he shot meekly at Heaton but the Beglian did better moments later when his well-struck effort flew against the post. The pressure paid off when Barkley wriggled space for himself on the edge of the area and his shot deflected off two Burnley defenders and crept into the bottom corner. There was nothing lucky about Everton's third, which came three minutes later, Lukaku spinning superbly to turn past Keane and blast a shot past Heaton at the near post. Lukaku has now scored in nine successive home games – the last player to achieve that feat was Dixie Dean in 1934. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
