How £100k-a-week Everton star proved all his critics wrong in 2-0 win v Burnley

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Everton were near-immaculate yesterday afternoon, enjoying yet another comfortable performance in which they swept away their opposition.

Few can discredit what the Toffees are doing now, having maintained such miraculous form over nearly four months following Saturday’s win. It marked their fourth victory on the spin, all of which have been claimed whilst shutting out their opponents.

Sean Dyche will have been particularly pleased by the manner of their most recent three points, given it was the archetypal performance that the masses would associate with the steely 52-year-old.

Having crunched home an early corner, courtesy of Amadou Onana, another set-piece would undo his former side after just 25 minutes.

With a 2-0 lead then to protect, Everton went about that task diligently.

And whilst the Belgian enforcer will deservedly command plenty of attention for his fine personal showing, it could be argued that he was outshone by the ever-dependable James Tarkowski.

How good was Everton’s James Tarkowski vs Burnley?

Having joined the Toffees on a free transfer from yesterday’s opponents, the 31-year-old stopper is swiftly becoming one of the club’s greatest pieces of business in recent history, with the ambition to only add to that notion.

After all, it is not just his unparalleled influence on the pitch that is clear for all to see, with his leadership staunch and unwavering too.

Both facets were on brilliant display in Saturday’s match though, with their clean sheet a fine present for the £100k-per-week titan.

He would earn such acclaim due to a truly stellar defensive showing, which saw him make four clearances, block two shots and make a sole interception, all whilst winning 80% of the ten aerial duels he competed in, via Sofascore.

However, far more than just the brutish centre-back that many would paint him, Tarkowski also managed a 70% pass accuracy too, made even more impressive by the fact he attempted eight long balls.

In fact, it was his flick-on which forged the space for Michael Keane to initially strike, before turning in the rebound for their second.

Whilst Onana ran the show in the engine room and nabbed a goal to cap it off, Tarkowski enjoyed a similar level of offensive influence whilst remaining imperative in keeping yet another clean sheet for Dyche’s unstoppable Everton.