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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Thomas

Anthony Gordon fumes during Richarlison goal celebration as Mike Dean angers Vitalii Mykolenko at Everton

Everton fell to a late goal by Maxwel Cornet in a frantic relegation battle at Turf Moor.

The nerves of both sets of supporters appeared to creep onto the pitch as the players duelled in a compelling game. With five goals, two penalties and a VAR call, there is much to dissect from a match that drew the Blues closer to trouble when, for so long, it looked like they were about to escape it.

Now that the dust has settled, here are a few moments that might have been missed amongst the mayhem.

Gordon’s ‘frustration’ amid Richarlison celebrations

As a handful of players wheeled away in celebration after Richarlison’s first penalty, the television cameras picked up an interesting sight.

The goalscorer was mobbed by teammates including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

READ MORE: Frank Lampard faces the unthinkable as 30 cruel minutes ask new questions at Everton

READ MORE: 'Sucked ever deeper into trouble' - National media react to Everton defeat at Burnley

Anthony Gordon, who won the penalty by luring Ashley Westwood into a messy challenge, also joined the crowd.

But Gordon could be seen beckoning across the pitch in what appeared to be a gesture of frustration that other players were not making the effort to join in the celebrations of what was, at the time, a crucial goal.

All-action Richarlison leaves Weghorst in his wake

Richarlison was at his menacing best in the first half at Turf Moor. Both defensively and going forward, he was a nuisance who hassled opponents and created chances.

As Burnley started better in a frantic opening 10 minutes leading up to Nathan Collins’ goal, it was clear there was space for Everton to exploit on the counter even as they struggled to hold onto the ball further up the pitch.

And once the Blues got a foothold in the game they began to take advantage - in the first 45 minutes at least.

The composure he displayed from the spot was the obvious takeaway from Wednesday night but other moments caught the eye before being overshadowed by the result.

One was a lovely first half turn that saw him get the better of Connor Roberts and Wout Weghorst, who he then left trailing in his wake as he reached the byline and crossed. In the second half there was an overhead kick that forced Nick Pope into a good save as Richarlison almost repeated his goal against Norwich earlier in the season.

The only person who ‘knew’ Everton deserved a second penalty

Initially, only one person in Turf Moor appeared convinced Everton deserved a second penalty - Vitalii Mykolenko.

As Burnley moved up the pitch, the left back was infuriated by Mike Dean’s failure to award a penalty, shouting and waving at the referee and earning criticism and jeers from the home supporters. Then VAR intervened - for once in Everton’s favour.

Holgate adds to nerves in frantic early exchanges

With Allan, Jonjoe Kenny and Michael Keane having picked up red cards in each of the previous three games, the last thing Everton needed on Wednesday was another red card. Just minutes into the match, Mason Holgate thundered into a challenge with Maxwel Cornet and earned himself a yellow card.

The tackle left him walking a tightrope and increased the nerves and anxiety before Everton eventually gained a foothold in the game.

Jordan Pickford picks up the captaincy

Jordan Pickford being handed the captaincy would have been a bigger story on a different day. The England international took the armband with Seamus Coleman on the bench and Michael Keane suspended after his red card against West Ham.

With suspension and injuries hitting the squad, the move was one of a number of headlines generated by the starting line-up alone. Pickford became the first goalkeeper to start as captain for the Blues since Tim Howard.

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