Barkley and Lukaku have the final word

Sky only show top 4?

Robles is not good enough!

Go throw some money at Schmeichel... if we can't get him, then Pickford, Forster, Begovic or Hart.

Awful first half that bordered comedic at times but a great adjustment / answer in the second half we played very well.

We're 5th. I realize that won't last but I always thought, when Koeman was at Southampton, he kept everyone motivated for the entire season. You'd look at the table in April and see Southampton in 6th and say, "where the fuck did they come from?"

Same here at Everton. Good stuff.

Man City, we are after you next. Top 4 not impossible if Koeman believes away from Fortress Goodison.

We learned that Van Dijk is better than Keane.

We learned that, if we are to buy a player from Burnley, it should be Tom Heaton.

We learned that Ross appears to want to stay.

We learned that we still have some nerves amongst the squad when things arent going our way.

We play so much smarter now... 3-1 is a measure of our confidence just now.

I thought Barkley and Mirallas were solid today; they have never played more consistently than they do right now. How good would this team be with a stronger central defense?

Win ugly – that's the sign of a good team. Top four next year.

First half ,Burnley were all over us. They put in a huge effort and deserved at least one goal. They're a team set up to outwork the opposition and they did exactly that.

Second half, much better. Valencia made a big difference.

Any word on whether Gana was injured? Unusual substitution, even though it worked out.

They play like that every single week. They are a well, well-drilled team that simply doesn't quit and they all play for one another.

Not just Sky

The boss makes a clever tactical change.
Bingo 3-1

Good time all around, 3 well-earned points.

The Banshee is Boston's EFC HQ.

Burnley were feisty opponents today and it is encouraging that we went toe to toe with them to eventually earn a hard-fought victory.

This truly impressive home record Koeman is building lays a solid foundation for what we want to challenge for: not merely European qualification, but actual trophies.

The 3 goals today takes our home tally for the season – with games against Watford and Chelsea to come – to 41. That is the highest ever number of home goals scored by Everton in the PL era. Roberto's 38 in his first golden season with us is the next best.

The 13 goals conceded at home is also currently our best ever, only bettered twice under Moyes when we let in just 15 goals all season in 2004-05 and 2011-12.

As for today's game, Burnley's pressing and our sloppiness made it a challenging first half. Koeman subbing in Valencia for Gueye put us immediately on the front foot. Great to see yet another goal scored from a corner – 5 goals in the last 4 games now – and I fancy if we had held the lead for 10-15 minutes more, the eventual victory may have come easier than it did.

Robles clearly had a complete brain fade conceding the penalty that he did, but thankfully by game's end we totally merited the victory.

Baines and Holgate both got forward very well throughout the game and played well, although I didn't much care for a couple of long punts upfield to no-one by Mason. He is better than that.

Williams was solid on his return and apart from one dreadful blind back pass that could have proved costly, Jags also had another fine (scoring!) game.

Schneiderlin was often crowded out and was not his usual effective self and it was a good call by Koeman to switch out Gueye.

Tom Davies was outstanding and my MotM. This is a proper footballer. High energy, tigerish tackler, good positioning and tidy range of passes. I was particularly impressed how he adjusted to his more fixed, withdrawn and central position in the 2nd half and yet continued to be available in both defence and attack in those little pockets of space he finds.

It didn't quite happen for Kevin Mirallas today, but at least he was involved and trying. Ross, after an extremely difficult week, also put in a good performance. I doubt he will get to keep the goal, but his celebration with the crowd – even when getting booked – suggests to this poster at least, it is NOT a forgone conclusion he is gone.

Valencia helped turn the game in our favour with his introduction and as for Lukaku's goal – monster! Keane, who along with many Burnley players played well today, and who has had an excellent season, was totally, totally bossed by Romelu for his goal. Cracking goal.

This side is not far off. Take a look at the respective home and away records of the six usual suspects around us. We actually better a few of them in different categories.

The obvious shortcoming is the away record. Just get 1-2 away wins against our peers in that group of six and – together with the form we are now showing – that alone could be enough to usurp their higher position over us in the league.

This season of transformation continues to show promise.

Encouraged.

We do need a new goalkeeper, I'm afraid. I'd wanted Robles to succeed but he is too fragile.

I'd take Heaton, who looked very accomplished today, and Keane.

We should do whatever we need to do to keep hold of Barkley and Lukaku in the Summer and bring in a world class 'keeper (plus some other upgrades). If not for our blip before Xmas, we'd be easily pushing for that top 4 place. It will be incredibly tough to replace Lukaku if he leaves.

Completely agreed – Robles is a good #2... But he just doesn't convince as a first choice.

Heaton is a great option & a good leader too.

Keane will be a great addition, and Koeman will make him even better.

Seriously though, whilst I'd be happy enough with a Europa spot, I do hope we don't come to rue those subs at Old Trafford. Had we managed to hold on for another minute (which would've been more likely if we'd kept an attacking threat of Mirallas & Barkley rather than sitting further and further back), we'd only be 3 points off Man City in 4th as things stand now.

I agree with everything you say except:

Jags made 2 poor blind back-passes.

I thought Schneiderlin was class throughout, again.

Whilst Davies was excellent in the 2nd half (the tactical substitution definitely benefited his performance), Barkley was my MotM – brilliant throughout!

Nice to see Ross make a goal, I thought he had a decent game. The lad will be more inclined to stay – if he ever contemplated leaving, that is – by the support he's received from fans and the club, I should imagine.

We are on a winning run at present but I wouldn't get too carried away with it, because we need to get a lot better to break the money clubs' virtual monopoly.

I thought Barton had a good game, he was a nuisance throughout and really did his best to get Barkley into a scrap. Fortunately, Ross was having none of it and when he did get time to play he was good. That last chance for Rom was a great through ball by Ross.

Williams was very solid today. And, those poor back passes aside, Jags looked impressively back on form. I really like the guy and i'm glad he is not done yet.

Ronald made the right call at half time and had a positive effect from the side-lines.

Tom Davies was very good, but he was sloppier than usual in possession giving it away a few times. Ross was sloppier though, but what we did well, he had a hand in, and those two clearances off the line made him my Man of the Match.

I loved his passion in his celebration, even when he was booked, he was still kissing the badge and looked so pumped up. Great Ronald gave him his moment with the last second sub.

Pleased tonight, as we'd have lost this game last season when Robles gave the penalty away.

Burnley had 6 shots on target, and the only goal he conceded was the pen. Our great run has coincided with Joel coming into the side, but whenever he makes a mistake, it's all "get Joe Hart" or Heaton or Pickford. Do we see these goalies week-in & week-out? Don't they make mistakes?

Even De Gea has been getting stick, and the knee jerk kopites are worshipping Mignolet now, forgetting that they were screaming for him to go before they realised how bad his replacement was.

Just remember, earlier in the season, TW posts were praising Stekelenburg, until the Man Utd and Chelsea disasters

As for Heaton, I haven't seen anything to tell me he'd be an improvement. He looks like another Ruddy, great when involved in all the action, but not the same when required to pull off just two or three saves a game.

Heaton conceded three today, and imagine that he was in goal for Everton, I'd be livid at the way Lukaku beat him. He could have done more with the other two as well, especially the first.

Whenever, I see Foster, he's dropping clangers. For Pickford, see Heaton. Hart at the right price, or someone else with great potential to challenge Robles long term.

However, the idea that we could compete next season with present back four/goalkeeper is ill-founded.

Holgate, yes... but Jagielka and Williams? Baines just won't cut it and we cannot improve to the level required with this defence.

BTW, Burnley are a poor outfit.

Joel would be fine as a back-up but we need better. That was crazy for the penalty today.

Or high flying EFC,...

I know he made a couple of decent interceptions today but, being a £12 million player, I want much more from him.

He has certainly had bad games but I think we may be overlooking his net contribution because much of what he does looks (and is) rather ugly and messy.

I wouldn't write him off just yet. Defenders often take a while to adjust to a new side. Jags and Baines to name two.

I think he has some indifferent games but he is one of those players who affects players around him. He made a really full-blooded challenge today on the half-way line which visibly raised the teams performance.

I'm still confident he could be the bedrock of our back four for 3 or 4 years.

Give Ashley a chance with a decent younger partner beside him, then judge. He is only short term but could be useful.

I think a lot of people don't realise what a stable influence this guy gives us at the back. Yes, he has the odd mishap (like every player) but he's certainly helped in plugging the leaky defence we use to have. The likes of Gana and now Schneiderlin have also helped, providing a much better shield in front of the back line.

The main reason for our shite finishes in the last two seasons was our crap defence and the fact we conceded 50+ goals every season. 37 goals conceded in 33 games so far is a massive improvement (especially when you consider we let in 5 at Chelsea).

Whilst £12m was a high price to pay, I'm glad we've got Williams in the side.

Again Everton played themselves into trouble with poor passing and lack of movement. When are these two poor parts of our game going to improve?

I'm obviously happy with the result which came about with the substitution; Valencia will go back to West Ham Utd after this season but he changed the way we played today as he has done in a few games this season. I'm not saying he is great or the answer but he has most certainly been under-used... I have to wander why.

Had Andre Gray played for them, the chances presented to Vokes fell to him may have left us with too much to do.

We played at 40% and won, not good enough for me. I thought Schneiderlin was well off it today, went to ground for the Burnley goal, opening up the midfield.

Barkley had a mixed bag, his usual moments of instinct were pleasing, coupled with the under hit passes and turning away from goal too often.

Joel is what he is and credit to him for at least making Koeman think about his keeping options, no more than able deputy next season.

Again, Tom Davies stood out as the assured player amongst the side. The lad is very consistent, first touch and vision is top class. A little sloppy, but the best of the bunch for me.

Burnley played well, they were miles better than us for a half. Koeman's repeating error, iffy selections, he had to make a drastic change, to his credit a match winning one. But it still nags at me why he does get his selections so wrong.

Valencia worked very hard laterally, pulling players to him. Space did develop and it visibly fatigued Burnley.

Whilst not someone I'd sign, he is a template for the style of player we need, but an upgraded version.

The biggest laugh was Rom, pretending to be Anichebe, rolling his man and scoring! Not seen that very often Rom, laaa.

It's not unusual to struggle to keep your better players. Happened with Gerrard nearly leaving them. Ronaldo left Man Utd. Bale left Spurs. But when you can keep them and build around them, especially when they're a local boy and grew up with the club, it's a massive thing.

I really hope to see Barkley here for the next decade and watch him lead this team. Obviously I'd love to see that happen with Lukaku for at least one more season.

We have strength and quality. We just need to keep what we have, let them grow, and add a few real quality additions. This is the closest we've been in ages to actually being contenders in this league. We expect to win every match and rightfully so.

I'd take Heaton as well as Keane, wish we could do a derby do over again with Schneiderlin playing, he would have made a massive difference, the lad is class.

Last thing, loved Lukaku's goal, one of the best I've seen him score. Keep it up, Rom, and don't spoil it with you know what!

We have to get Ross to stay. The combination of him, Tom and Schneiderlin is fantastic. Also loved Barry coming on to play third centre half – what a player the man is.

You'll never be more harshly judged than you are at Goodison, but you'll never be more loved either. You can go somewhere else for a quieter life but it will never be the same.

You can create your own story here, you've started already; the goal at St James Park, the chipped penalty against the same team at Goodison, the celebration before scoring against Bournemouth, today's Gwladys Street love-in.

Get the contract signed, you knobhead!

To move against the poor lone attacker like he did when the attacker is moving away from your goal is nothing short of stupidity. It shows that he does not have the vision or the brain to be a great goalkeeper like Buffon never mind Southall.

He's improved dramatically under proper coaching. Let's keep in mind the "coaching staff" he suffered under his first 4 seasons in the big leagues. Same one poor Stones spent 3 seasons "developing" under.

Yes, God knows what he was thinking on that play. Dumb as dumb could be.

But his command of the box is orders of magnitude above the "Just punch it", clueless keeper he was.

And if we're touting keepers to replace Joel, fair enough. But for God's sake stop calling for Joe "Accident Waiting to Happen" Hart. He's shit.

I think we should judge Robles at the end of the season but any more faux parts and he needs replacing IMO.

You wont get top 4 with nervous players or those that make surrounding players nervous.

Same with Jags I'm afraid. He is outstanding in many ways but has too many mistakes in him.

Im a Tom Davies fan but thought he looked a bit jaded the last 2 games.

We should only have one defensive MF player at home.

Nearly amazingly accurate Jags; we have got to fifth and the BBC decide to remove the top six and even the bottom six tables! How coincidentally isolated / ignored do you have to be before a formal complaint of anti-Everton bias is made official?

Schneiderlin impresses me everytime he plays but if there was a criticism for the team yesterday was that collectively we still have problems against teams who are aggressive and put themselves about. Burnley bullied us for periods of the game and we didn't react all that well. We managed to turn it around okay in the end but as a team we need to show a stronger mental attitude against teams who want to be physical.

As for Robles, has made some decent saves in the past few games but there's always a mistake in there. Decent enough keeper but I don't think he's the man to take us into the top 4. That position for me still needs addressing in the summer.

In the meantime, another match at Goodison Park, another win. We are definitely going in the right direction. Vast improvement on the last 2 seasons but we still need strengthening in the summer. We are still in dire need of that extra bit of quality in the creative department as well as defence and goalkeeper but there's still every chance we could finish in the top 6 this season.

Onwards and upwards.

However, when we are aggressively pressed, I hate hit when our centre backs are the ones forced to play the ball out – they just aren't very good at it. To get the ball back all opposing teams have to do is mark everyone apart from Jags and Williams and wait for them to hoof it away.

We managed to solve this problem in the second half – perhaps by having the movement of Davies a bit deeper, and the movement of Valencia higher up the pitch.

I also don't think that Holgate's crossing is quite up to standard yet (although otherwise he had a solid game). He's really a centre-back. I would like to see Kenny or one of the young wingbacks playing in their natural position coming through.

I was apoplectic with Robles for the penalty... but he made a couple of excellent saves and I am sure he knows it was poor judgement. I'd keep him over Hart. But ideally we would get a better keeper in.

We are apparently the best home team in Europe at the moment. We need to get stronger away from home.

I think that Williams gets unfair criticism. He has his scary moments but overall he has been very solid. Lukaku's goal was a gem and he put in another excellent shift. I love it when he plays like this with a bit of fire in his belly. His game has become more complete under Koeman and its obvious big clubs will be interested in the summer.

Still a reasonably sized question mark over Koeman's head. Too pragmatic for my taste, the point about him having to change a defensive midfielder out is the very much the point. Why? Often he accommodates teams too much, especially away from home.

When we are only just off being a candidate for a top four spot, has cautious Koeman perhaps cost us here?

I'll be disappointed if we don't get 6th.

Granted he's had dodgy moments but I'm more confident with him in the defence than I was with the 'world beater' Stones!

He's what we needed at the time and will be replaced with better as we progress!

Excellent posts from Raymond Fox and James Flynn regarding Robles. I really believe he will become a great goal keeper. I like his attitude a lot.

Last week it went down at 1-2 and, when it returned it was 2-2! Happy days.