Burnley Left to Lament Missed Opportunities in Goalless Draw with Everton

Burnley were left ruing a plethora of missed chances as they played out a 0-0 draw with Everton, a result that could have been a vital three points. Despite registering 16 shots, none of them found the target, with the team's build-up play being commendable but the finishing lacking. The Clarets had gone closest to scoring just before the 90-minute mark, a period in which they have excelled this season, netting more goals than any other team after the 85th minute. In this match, they attempted 16 shots without a single one being on target, the third time they have achieved this feat in a Premier League fixture. Jaidon Anthony set up Zian Flemming, who sent his shot around the advancing Jordan Pickford, only for it to ricochet off the post and across the goal, with the offside flag potentially sparing Flemming's blushes. Jacob Bruun Larsen also had a gilt-edged opportunity to put Burnley ahead, scooping the ball over the crossbar. For their part, Everton struggled to create chances, missing key goalscorers such as Jack Grealish, Illman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gueye, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Charly Alcaraz had the first shot on target, but his header was straight at Martin Dubravka. Beto should have converted a cross from Tyler Dibling earlier in the first half. After the break, Alcaraz went for the spectacular with an overhead kick, but it was directed at the goalkeeper. Dubravka continued to make smart saves to deny Beto and Thierno Barry, maintaining his clean sheet. Everton have now drawn 112 Premier League games 0-0, the most of any side in the competition's history. The result does little to help either team in the Premier League table, with Burnley remaining six points adrift of safety but registering back-to-back draws after seven successive defeats. Everton slip down to 11th but remain just four points from the Champions League places. Burnley head coach Scott Parker expressed that it was a missed opportunity to take three points, saying, "We were well worthy of the three points today. We bought a real quality and endeavour to our game. We missed some big-ish chances… there's probably a little bit of frustration there. On the flip side of that, it generally was a very good performance. We come away with a point and clean sheet so it's certainly progression for us." Everton manager David Moyes admitted it wasn't a particularly good performance but sometimes you take a point when you don't play well. Moyes also acknowledged that Burnley have never been an easy team to beat at Turf Moor and they came into the game with more confidence after a good result against Bournemouth last week.