Michael Keane admitted his frustration Everton could not achieve victory in Saturday’s clash at former club Burnley, as he targeted a strong points return in the Blues’ upcoming hectic festive schedule.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit his 11th Premier League goal of the season but the Blues were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor – the England striker’s close-range finish cancelling out Robbie Brady’s early opener.
Everton applied pressure as they hunted a winner, with Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope at full stretch to keep out James Rodriguez’s 20-yard curler midway through the second half.
Pope then denied the Blues a dramatic stoppage-time winner as he saved Gylfi Sigurdsson’s low, driven effort.
The result means Everton finished the game in seventh place in the Premier League table.
“It was a tough game and I thought we competed well,” said Keane, who captained the Blues at Turf Moor and delivered a commanding centre-back performance.
“We knew it was going to be battle coming here today. With the way they play, they make it really difficult for you.
“I was gutted when we conceded so early but we rallied together as a group and I thought we got back into the game well.
“We got the goal, pushed for the winner and we then had a few more chances in the second half.
“But likewise, Jordan made a few great saves for us.
“I think our performance was good in general, but we just didn’t get the win we could have got on another day.”
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Next up for Carlo Ancelotti’s side is a home clash with Chelsea next Saturday – a game that kicks off a run of six matches in 16 days.
The Toffees face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium four days after the Chelsea game, before hosting Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday 20 December.
Keane admits the squad have been disappointed with recent results but insists the Blues retain confidence they can compete with the best sides in the country.
“After having such a good start to the season, we had that belief,” he said.
“We wanted to stay up there in the top end of the table. We’re still in a position to do that, we’re not too far off it.
“We know on our day we can beat anyone. We’ve proven that in the past.
“Yes, we’ve got some tough fixtures coming up, but they’ll be looking at us as a tough fixture as well.”
Keane also paid tribute to red-hot striker Calvert-Lewin, whose is now two goals clear as the Premier League’s top scorer.
He has struck 16 times in all competitions for Club and country this season.
“He’s getting in all the right areas and, more often than not, if he gets a chance, he’ll put it away,” Keane added.
“Dominic is in top form. He’s getting that instinct now where he knows where to be to get himself a goal.
“He’s been brilliant for us. He works really hard for the team as well.
“You always know you’ve got a chance of scoring goals with him in the team, as well Richarlison and James."
