Premiership – you're having a laugh

Coyne replaced Brian Jensen, Hyde came in for the injured Ian Moore whilst Sinclair took the place of Dave Walton who had been on trial. Otherwise it was the same eleven who started against Dundee United although we adopted a 4-5-1 formation.

Tony Grant was handed the captaincy against the team he supports and started his career with and he received warm applause prior to kick off from his former fans.

We got off to a good start and we soon had Everton under some pressure coming close to taking the lead with only three minutes gone. But Richard Wright made a good double save although Richard Chaplow should probably have done better with the first effort.

Everton were struggling to contain us as we passed the ball in midfield with precision and some pace and after one such move Michael Duff, again impressive at right back, got down the flank to cross well only for Robbie Blake’s effort to be hacked away for a corner.

New keeper Danny Coyne was called into action in an isolated Everton attack and did well to tip an effort over but it was soon Burnley attacking and after coming close with a Sinclair header we went in front through new captain Blake.

Fluke or brilliant, you can take your pick, but I happen to think Robbie knew exactly what he was doing. After turning Everton’s Gary Naysmith inside out and back again he chipped the ball in from a tight angle into the far top corner giving Wright no chance.

Make no mistake he meant it and he played a major part when we nearly doubled the lead. This time he played in Graham Branch but Wright managed to block his shot and up onto the bar.

With half an hour gone Everton could be thankful to be just a goal behind with their fans, not in demonstration mode tonight, somewhat subdued.

The last fifteen minutes of the half seemed to drift by as the Clarets lost their midfield grip a touch and Everton could have equalised but Marcus Bent couldn’t direct his header.

The Clarets went off to loud applause and it was Everton who elected to make changes at half time – but it was to no avail. And after a quiet start to the half the Clarets got so much on top our Premiership visitors were struggling to get a touch on the ball.

“Premiership – you’re having a laugh,” sang the Burnley fans as the manager took the opportunity to give the two French trialists Cyril Eboki Poh and Lionel Djebi Zadi another run out.

Eboki Poh almost doubled with virtually his first touch but Wright saved well to keep his effort out after he timed his run to perfection to get on the end of a Hyde through ball.

It was all looking good but then in the last few minutes it all changed. Firstly Everton equalised from a corner when Joseph Yobo was able to get up to head home with little challenge and within a couple of minutes they had the ball in the back of the net again but the assistant was flagging for offside. A draw was somewhat harsh, a defeat would have been totally unfair.

It’s a case of so far so good and the new players all came in and did well. There were good performances all over the field with Robbie linking up well with the midfield and at the back Michael Duff once again looking the part at full back.

Things are certainly looking a lot better for us than they are for Everton as the new season approaches, they do look like a side that might have a big fight on at the wrong end of the table.

So onto Austria and five days before the next match when we play Wacker Burghausen in Gmunden.

Tonight’s teams were,

Burnley: Danny Coyne, Michael Duff, Frank Sinclair, John McGreal, Mo Camara, Lee Roche (Matt O’Neill 83), Richard Chaplow, Tony Grant (Lionel Djebi Zadi 80), Micah Hyde, Graham Branch, Robbie Blake (Cyril Eboki Poh 75). Subs not used: Ryan Townsend, Paul Scott.

Everton: Richard Wright, Tony Hibbert (Alessandro Pistone 45), Alan Stubbs (David Weir 45), Joseph Yobo, Gary Naysmith, James McFadden (Peter Clarke 70), Steve Watson (Leon Osman 45), Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane, Kevin Campbell (Duncan Ferguson 45), Marcus Bent (Nick Chadwick 45). Sub not used: Nigel Martyn.

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Preston).

Attendance: 6,756.