Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fortuitous goal proved enough for Everton to claim a much-needed 1-0 victory over 10-man Burnley at Goodison Park.

It had been 13 matches since Everton last won a Premier League match heading into Saturday’s match, with that victory coming back in December against Burnley at Turf Moor.

And Sean Dyche got one over on his former team again when Arijanet Muric’s clearance deflected in off Calvert-Lewin in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

Dara O’Shea’s dismissal midway through the second half dented Burnley’s comeback hopes, as the Toffees move up to 15th, 10 points clear of the 19th-placed Clarets, though they remain only four clear of the relegation zone after Luton Town’s win over AFC Bournemouth.

How the match unfolded

Calvert-Lewin ended a 23-match scoreless streak when he netted against Newcastle United in midweek, and Everton’s No 9 might have been presented with an early tap-in if not for excellent near-post defending from Maxime Esteve.

Abdoulaye Doucoure drilled a cross-shot into Muric’s grasp, while Seamus Coleman got in the way of Charlie Taylor’s powerful effort at the other end.

Yet with Burnley having improved, Everton’s breakthrough arrived in remarkable fashion in the closing seconds of first-half stoppage time – Calvert-Lewin closing down Muric’s clearance and diverting the ball over Burnley’s goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Muric somewhat atoned after the break, making a smart stop with his feet to deny Calvert-Lewin after the striker had capitalised on a sloppy mistake from Lorenz Assignon.

Burnley’s task was made all the harder when O’Shea received his marching orders for a desperate, high lunge on Dwight McNeil – referee Michael Oliver showing no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card.

Substitute Josh Brownhill nearly turned Burnley’s despair into jubilation, though, with a wicked effort that flashed just over.

Calvert-Lewin twice went close as Everton aimed to make their numerical advantage count, lashing wide after a great run before prodding at Muric from a tight angle.

His replacement Beto could have done better when charging through on goal late on, but Everton were not made to pay for their profligacy.

Only once in their history have Everton gone more than 13 league encounters without a win – back in 1937, when they went on a 14-match winless run.

Thankfully for Dyche, he will not go down as the Everton manager to match this unwanted record.

Dyche’s side are far from safe, but this victory – which comes on the two-year anniversary of his last win as Burnley boss, a 3-2 defeat of an Everton side then managed by Frank Lampard – was much-needed as the Toffees fight for safety.

In a relegation scrap of tight margins, Everton cannot afford to now not build on this as they aim to maintain their Premier League status.

Having replaced James Trafford between the sticks for Burnley as of late, Muric has been a key part of the Clarets’ upturn in form – Vincent Kompany’s team having come into this encounter on the back of a four-match unbeaten run.

However, Muric cost the visitors in big fashion with his calamitous error at the end of the first half.

O’Shea subsequently compounded Kompany’s frustration, making a rash tackle on McNeil, which was deemed as overly aggressive by Oliver.

Club reports

Everton report | Burnley report

Match officials

Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Dan Cook. Fourth official: Steve Martin. VAR: David Coote. Assistant VAR: Wade Smith.