Burnley draw another blank and miss chance to gain on other strugglers

Burnley’s struggles in front of goal were on show once again as Scott Parker’s relegation-threatened side failed to register a shot on target in a poor 0-0 draw against a depleted Everton side.

Burnley had 16 attempts but could not test Jordan Pickford even once, keeping them stuck on just seven home Premier League goals all season – the worst of any side in the division.

It said it all that after Zian Flemming hit the post with a glorious chance in the 90th minute, a debatable offside flag went up against him. To make matters worse Burnley lost captain Josh Cullen to a worrying knee injury early in the second half.

Everton were missing their most creative outlets in the ill Jack Grealish, the absent Iliman Ndiaye, and the injured Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and it showed in a disjointed performance as they only rarely threatened themselves.

Burnley started well enough. Armando Broja, his confidence boosted by his first Premier league goal in 39 appearances last week, made only his third start for the Clarets and looked in determined mood against the club where he spent a goalless campaign on loan last season.

His efforts won Burnley an early corner but after Pickford failed to gather, Cullen’s shot was blocked and Lucas Pires sent the rebound wide. That was as close as the hosts would go in the opening 45 minutes.

Everton should have scored 14 minutes in when Tyler Dibling, making only his second Premier League start of the season, cut in from the right and sent in a low angled ball towards the back post, but Hjalmar Ekdal did just enough to prevent Beto poking home.

When Carlos Alvaraz tamely headed Dibling’s lofted cross straight at Martin Dubravka in the 29th minute, it was the only attempt on target for either side in