Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has issued a rallying cry to his teammates ahead of a must-win relegation six-pointer against Burnley this Saturday.
The Toffees are desperate to snap a dismal 13-game winless run, their longest streak without tasting success in the top flight since 1937 (14).
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Everton. A win would create a crucial seven-point buffer between themselves and the relegation zone, offering a much-needed reprieve from the mounting pressure.
However, Burnley have been on the ascendancy in recent weeks and will head to Goodison Park brimming with confidence after stringing together a run of four games without defeat (W1, D3).
Recognising the threat posed by Vincent Kompany’s rejuvenated side, Onana has emphasised the importance of asserting dominance on home turf in a clash that could have telling consequences for both sides.
“Very important because it’s against a team that is in the relegation battle,” Onana said (via Everton website).
“We’ve got the advantage that it’s at Goodison – our home – and we’ve got to make it tough to come and face us here.
“As ever, it’s a game we are looking forward to, and it’s a game we’re looking to win. I feel confident.
“I know they’ve been doing quite well in the past few weeks, and we definitely won’t be under-estimating them, but I’m confident in the quality we have in this team.”
Everton and Burnley face off for the third time this season, with the stakes higher than ever for both sides.
The Toffees have enjoyed a perfect record against the Clarets so far, winning both previous encounters by a combined 5-0 scoreline.
Sean Dyche’s team picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Turf Moor and must repeat that success on home turf to bolster their chances of maintaining Premier League status.
Everton are still holding their breath as the threat of a further point deduction looms following a second breach of Profit and Sustainability Rules.
This means every match is crucial for Dyche’s troops, who can’t afford any slip-ups if they want to avoid a relegation scrap.