For all of Everton's problems, there's one thing they are not - and that might have just changed

It turns out the best way to end a record-breaking winless streak is to find a side that is desperate to lose.

It seemed that way at Goodison Park as the biggest game of Everton’s season ended with three vital points that are crucial to the club’s survival hopes. Ahead of a week in which the club could suffer another points deduction and with main relegation rivals Luton Town snatching a last gasp win, this success was a necessity.

The result might not increase the gap to the bottom three, but it did protect the advantage - and it may prove a turning point for a side that can savour that winning feeling for the first time in almost four months in the Premier League.

EFC PLAYER RATINGS: Jarrad Branthwaite excellent and five others good

AS IT HAPPENED: Everton vs Burnley score updates and analysis

It came courtesy of a difficult display that lacked quality and intensity despite the high stakes involved. Yet Burnley did what Everton have proved adept at for so long and were masters of their own downfall as their reckless tactics meant the Blues could not fail to beat them.

This match was drifting towards a half-time reckoning when Arijanet Muric provided the key moment, and gave Everton the slice of luck that could save them. A largely event-free first half saw a ground that had turned out to show support for their struggling side grow increasingly restless as Burnley weathered early pressure before establishing belief.

They were temporarily the better side in a poor game as Jacob Bruun Larsen forced a brave block from Seamus Coleman then drew gasps from those in Royal Blue as he bent a free kick narrowly over as the away side threatened down both wings. When David Datro Fofana glanced an uncontested header into the arms