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Michael Keen For More Goals

Michael Keane has set his sights on becoming a more regular source of goals after opening his account for the season in the 3-1 win over Burnley.

The Blues defender sparked a scintillating six-minute spell with a perfectly-placed header to level proceedings after Ben Mee's opener for the Clarets on Monday night.

A quick-fire double through efforts from wingers Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray then secured a second successive come-from-behind victory at Goodison Park.

Reflecting on a breath-taking night, Keane, who has now notched nine goals for the Toffees since his arrival in the summer of 2017, believes he has the potential to improve on his goal tally.

"I have a target in my head, as I do every year," he told evertontv. "I know I'm capable of scoring goals, I just need to get in the right positions and make good runs and they'll come.

"Thankfully I've done that tonight and hopefully it can continue.

"It was a similar game to Southampton [on the opening day of the season]. I think we were disappointing in the first half - they had too much space, we struggled to get to grips with the game a bit but we hung on in there.

"Then we conceded in the second half, but I thought we reacted really well. It's always important when you do concede to try to get that goal as soon as you can. 

"I got into a bit of space, I saw it and I knew from training where Andros puts those crosses when he cuts back on to his left foot, so I just got in the right place, it was a great cross and I managed to guide it in to get us back in the game.

"We had a 15-minute spell where I thought we were top class - and I thought we could have actually had more."

Manager Rafa Benitez began the game against Burnley with three centre-backs, as Keane and Yerry Mina flanked Ben Godfrey at the heart of the defence, while Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman operated as wing-backs.

Immediately after Keane's headed equaliser, Godfrey was withdrawn in place of midfielder André Gomes, with the backline reverting to a traditional back four.

It was a tactical tweak Keane believes was pivotal in securing all three points on the night.

"Obviously, it's different in terms of positioning," he added. "I think we got on top of the game more when we went to a four at the back and had an extra man in midfield, because I think they were over-running us a bit in the first half.

"I think it worked well. Overall we looked solid with three at the back, obviously we conceded from a second phase and a set play which is disappointing, but I thought four at the back gave us a bit more going forward.

"As defenders, we always want to keep a clean sheet. 

"We know a team like Burnley are really good on set pieces so it's something we worked on and were focused on, so it's disappointing to concede in that way but the main thing is that we won the game and there are always going to be things to work on and hopefully we can do better [in that respect]."

Everton now face a run of three games in seven days with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday (18 September) and a visit to the capital to face QPR in the Carabao Cup third round before heading back to Goodison to host Norwich City the following weekend.

"It's really good," said Keane. "When you're doing well, winning games, it's all about momentum and you want that next game to come as soon as possible. 

"The whole squad is raring to go. There are lads who didn't play tonight but we've obviously got a lot of games coming up and we're going to need everyone. 

"I'm sure the manager will make changes at some point and everyone will be used. 

"We all can't wait."