Everton analysis - Dwight McNeil shuts up boo boys as Arnaut Danjuma misses chance

Analysis from Connor O'Neill after Everton beat Burnley 3-0 at Goodison Park to progress into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup

Arnaut Danjuma fails to take chance

When Arnaut Danjuma finally joined Everton during the summer transfer window, there was plenty of excitement around the signing. After all, this was a player the Blues tried to bring to the club last January, but, as we all know, he produced a last-minute U-turn and went to Tottenham Hotspur instead.

Danjuma went on to find his game time limited in the capital. So when he arrived at Goodison Park during the summer, he came with a point to prove. The opportunity to show just how good he is.

And the initial signs were promising. A goal against Sheffield United before the September international break capped off an impressive run of games. However, since then, the forward has found his game time limited. He has started just two of the seven games Everton have played since the resumption of play following that international break.

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So this game felt like the perfect opportunity for Danjuma to send the perfect message to Sean Dyche. The chance to give his manager something to think about. Instead, the opposite happened.

This was by no means the forward’s best night. So much so that no-one would be surprised if Abdoulaye Doucoure comes back into the team for Saturday's game against Brighton & Hove Albion. Not only did Danjuma fail to link the play like the Mali international does, but he also failed to offer the energy his team-mate does when he plays behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Perhaps we need to start giving the partnership of Doucoure and Calvert-Lewin more credit than it currently gets because, on this evidence, it is Everton's most effective partnership when they play 4-2-3-1.But back to Danjuma, and one moment that summed up his night. With the Blues 2-0 up, the ball was played into him, but instead of bringing it under control, he attempted a first-time flick around the corner that hit his own leg before bouncing to a Burnley player.It was the type of skill that, when you are playing well and your confidence is high, comes off, but that is not Danjuma at the moment, and when he was replaced just after the hour, his body language told the story. So while Everton celebrated advancing into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, he was left to reflect on a night that was a missed opportunity for him personally.

Another step in the direction for Dominic Calvert-Lewin

When most Everton supporters were picking their side for this game, there was a feeling that Calvert-Lewin would miss out. After starting the Blues' last five games, many thought that the forward would be given the night off, with Beto given the chance to show what he can offer.

But on this occasion, his inclusion should be viewed with a smile because it is yet more evidence that the plan Calvert-Lewin has been following is working. In fact, it has already worked. Now Everton are reaping the benefits of the patience Dyche has shown him.

However, it was far from plain sailing here. Firstly, Calvert-Lewin failed to build on his recent goalscoring run. In truth, he never really looked like scoring against Vincent Kompany's side. But midway through the first half, there was a heart-in-mouth moment for everyone connected to the club.

Calvert-Lewin went down under a challenge from Ameen Al-Dakhi. After lying on the ground holding his ankle for a few seconds, the England international picked himself up before limping. It felt like some inside Goodison were holding their breath. Others fearing the worst; Blues supporters have been here before.

But the forward ran off any knock he had and went on to play the remainder of the half before being replaced just over 15 minutes into the second half, with the Blues 2-0 up and heading into the quarter-finals.

Another night, another step in the right direction.

Dwight McNeil sends perfect message

It was a sound that continued to greet Dwight McNeil each time he touched the ball during the opening 30 minutes.

Burnley fans, it appears, have not forgiven him for leaving back in the summer of 2022. Each time the winger collected the ball, he was greeted with a chorus of boos.

But with 13 minutes on the clock, McNeil shushed those who were jeering him after his cross into the box was headed home by James Tarkowski, who had not received the same treatment from the Clarets fans in the Bullens Road end.

McNeil, it must be said, is fast becoming one of Everton’s most important players. He is also the club's most improved player from where he was this time last year.

The winger then claimed another assist when Amadou Onana bundled the ball home from a corner eight minutes into the second half. And by that point, the Burnley supporters who had earlier been booing the winger were well and truly silenced.