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

Everton were dealt a damaging blow to their hopes of avoiding relegation from Premier League with a demoralising defeat at fellow strugglers Burnley on Wednesday night.

The Blues lost 3-2 to the Clarets despite two first-half penalties from Richarlison and remain just one point above the drop spots with nine matches to play - the first of which comes on Saturday when Manchester United visit Goodison Park.

Plenty of national media outlets were in attendance at Turf Moor, along with our own Chris Beesley, and here is a round-up of what they had to say.

“It was hard to tell whether a cold sweat or the Lancashire drizzle was plastering Frank Lampard’s hair to his forehead but there will be moments of this desperate night which will keep him awake in the small hours, between now and the end of the season. This was a chance for Everton to open some space between themselves and the three sides beneath them, including Burnley.

“But instead, their defensive fragility revealed itself again, ultimately allowing Maxwel Cornet to drive home a goal five minutes from time which makes relegation for Lampard and his team still very much a possibility.

“Some perspective on this result. Burnley have won only two games at this stadium since January 2020. Yet the winning goal said everything about the struggle Lampard is having in recreating the rigour and intensity which typified the football he once played. An unchallenged first ball in from the left. A half-challenged resulting cross. And Cornet — a wonderful acquisition — arrived to score and lift the roof off this old ground.”

“Maxwel Cornet struck five minutes from time to give Burnley a potentially vital 3-2 win over relegation rivals Everton in a frantic match which swung from end