What We Learned From Everton 0-1 Burnley

Everton's miserable form continued as Jeff Hendrick's goal gave Burnley another impressive three points on the road.

Playing a more adventurous 4-4-2 featuring Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the under-fire Blues enjoyed the bulk of the early chances, yet still trailed at the break thanks to Hendrick's smart 21st minute finish.

Unlike against Bournemouth last weekend, the expected second-half fightback failed to materialise, leaving Koeman's side 16th in the table for the international break.

Here are four things we learned from the Goodison Park encounter.

1. Keane returns but defensive frailties remain for Everton

After shaking off a troublesome foot injury, Michael Keane was able to return to the Everton team  to play former club Burnley- but while the towering defender's presence served the Blues well against the height of Chris Wood, the England international was simply unable to help the Blues to their second clean sheet of the Premier League season.

As against Apollon Limassol in midweek, defensive frailties- particularly in transition- reared their ugly head to undermine a side already low on confidence. Remarkably, no fewer than 12 crosses went into the Blues box during a first-half in which they enjoyed close to 60% possession.

This weakness in wide areas was coupled by a repeated failure to track runners breaking from midfield, with Everton regularly caught too high up the pitch and unable to adequately respond.

Ashley Williams was the worst culprit, as the veteran Welshman once more appeared slow and cumbersome, yet others, including midfield duo Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye were also off the pace.

At this rate, Everton, who have mustered one sole clean sheet in seven league games, won't be improving on their poor defensive record anytime soon.

2. Hendrick goal shows that Burnley have added extra facets to play

Much has been made of the way Burnley pair Chris Wood and Sam Vokes attack the ball in the opposition penalty area. Indeed, the slightly agricultural style has become somewhat synonymous with the Clarets over the past couple of seasons.

Yet to solely categorise Sean Dyche's outfit as a long-ball side would be to do them a massive disservice, and that was perfectly highlighed by Jeff Hendrick's sublime opening goal.

Coming at the end of a neat 24-pass move, the Irishman's finish was calm and collected. Credit should also be paid to fellow countryman Robbie Brady for a wonderful crossfield ball that cut the porous Everton backline apart.

On this evidence, the Lancastrians, who have already triumphed at Stamford Bridge this season, are adding further strings to their bow.

3. Gueye and Schneiderlin failing in Blues engine room

Everton's recent malaise has affected just about the whole squad, with even last season's top performers Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin turning in below-par displays in the midfield engine room.

Thrust together in a narrow looking 4-4-2 at Goodison on Sunday, the duo continued their sloppy form with a performance that raised further questions as to their suitability to play as a partnership.

Far too much space was left in between the lines for the likes of goalscorer Hendrick and Robbie Brady to exploit. At times, the Everton defence were often at a numerical disadvantage as their north-west neighbours broke.

Perhaps more worrying, though, was the absence of any sort of creativity or thurst to drive the Blues forward. It was only when Tom Davies- a player that arguably should have started- came on for Nikola Vlasic that the balance looked like being rectified. Despite having over 20 shots in the game, Everton hit the target a paltry four times. No wonder goals are in short supply at present.

Significantly more will be expected from both Gueye and Schneiderlin in the coming weeks if they are to avoid the axe from their manager.

4. Niasse better suited to 'super sub' role

The clamour for Oumar Niasse to start games for Everton has been greater than ever following the Senegalese striker's matchwinning cameo last weekend against Bournemouth.

What happened in midweek against Apollon only strengthened the 27-year-old's case for inclusion. But handed a chance to impress form the outset, Niasse tellingly failed to deliver. Against a deep-lying defence that makes strikers play with their back to goal, the ex-Lokomotiv Moscow man's touch tellingly deserted him. Unorthodox styles aren't always the answer.

It seems to be the case that his attributes- pace and power- lend themselves better to stretching defences late on and exploiting space on the counter away from home.

For now, he remains a valuable asset to a squad shorn of Romelu Lukaku, but certainly not the answer ahead of the well-rounded Dominic Calvert-Lewin.