MATCH PREVIEW: EVERTON VS BURNLEY

Photo credit: Everton FC (Getty Images)

It has been a bright start to life at Goodison Park for manager Rafael Benitez after his controversial appointment at the start of July.

The Spaniard has overseen his team record three wins and a draw in their opening four matches, playing an energetic, attacking brand of football that is a far cry from the negative system employed by Benitez’s predecessor Carlo Ancelotti the season before.

In their previous match at Brighton’s Amex Stadium, a ground that had been unkind to them since their first ever visit back in 2017, the Toffees controlled the game from start to finish in a dominant 2-0 victory.

They look to continue this good form into Monday night’s encounter with Burnley under the Goodison lights.

It was suggested in Benitez's pre-match press conference they will be at almost full-strength, with Seamus Coleman’s injury whilst away with Ireland reportedly not as bad as first feared, and the only absentees would appear to be James Rodriguez, Fabian Delph, Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey.

One man who will certainly be available is deadline day signing Salomon Rondon, who reunites with Benitez after the two linked up at both Newcastle United and Chinese club Dalian Professional, who released the centre forward this summer.

Speaking about his new signing, the 61-year-old said: “To convince him to come back to the Premier League and to Everton, a club that is growing, was not difficult.

“He will score goals and is someone who will give everything for the team and hopefully be successful with it.”

Richarlison is another who will play on Monday, after good relations between Everton and the Brazilian FA meant the 24-year-old was not called up for the most recent international break and is omitted from the Brazilian internationals banned from playing this weekend by FIFA.

“I think we are in a much better position than anyone,” said Benitez.

“Because when we allowed him to go to the Olympics, we were in contact with the Brazilian FA.

“We have a very good relationship with them & Richarlison was not an issue. We are good with them.”

Their next challengers are Burnley who have endured a frustrating start to their campaign and are still without a league win.

The Clarets’ record at Goodison Park has been mixed in recent years with the two sides earning two wins each in the previous four matches.

But perhaps more importantly, Everton’s home record this calendar year has been patchy at best, winning only three out of 13 league games at L4.

However, this is a new era under their new manager and the early promise after a successful August will fill Evertonians with confidence going into this match.

Integral to any success the Blues are going to have will be Demarai Gray who has made a blistering start to his career with the Toffees after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for a cut-price £1.7m fee.

Everton will also be buoyed by having Richarlison available to play as well as a refreshed Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has scored in each of his previous three games against Sean Dyche’s side.

Will the Rafa revolution continue on Monday?