Everton take 'up-and-under' approach at kick-off against Burnley as TNT Sports commentator Martin Keown says routine is 'more like rugby league'

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Everton attempted to catch Burnley unawares during Tuesday night’s Premier League encounter, unveiling a slightly unconventional kick-off routine at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. After referee Tim Robinson signalled the start, James Garner rolled the ball back to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scooped it into the air from kick-off. TNT Sports' Martin Keown described it as "more like rugby league."

'Never seen that before!' - Everton take surprise kick-off against Burnley

Video credit: TNT Sports

Everton looked to catch Burnley off-guard during Tuesday night's Premier League encounter with a slightly peculiar kick-off routine at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

After referee Tim Robinson blew his whistle to start the game, midfielder James Garner tapped the ball back for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to flick the ball up for himself to launch in the air.

Striker Beto chased the high kick but Burnley defender Joe Worrall watched it all the way to make a headed clearance unopposed.

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Co-commentator Martin Keown told TNT Sports: "It's the old up-and-under... I've never seen that from a kick-off. Wow. It's more like rugby league. Go on, go and head that."

Commentator Rory Hamilton added: "Well, this was unusual to say the least.

"David Moyes must have been watching the Six Nations, the Calcutta Cup match."

Tarkowski gives Everton lead against former club Burnley with 'pinpoint' header

Video credit: TNT Sports

As it turns out, this was not the first time David Moyes has instructed his players to carry out the kick-off in such fashion.

Indeed, as recently as Everton's last home Premier League game against Manchester United, Dewsbury-Hall and Garner carried out the exact same direct approach at the start of the second half.

It helped create a chance within a minute of the restart as Harrison Armstrong tested United goalkeeper Senne Lammens low down to his left.

After Arsenal scored their 16th set-piece goal of the Premier League season in their 2-1 victory over Chelsea in February, extra scrutiny has been placed on how sides are using restarts to their advantage.

Brentford adopted the identical kick-off during their game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Earlier in the season, it had been noted how a number of teams have reverted back to long throw-ins in a bid to find small marginal gains.

For Everton, relying on an expansive game has proven difficult, especially at their new home this season.

The Toffees have only scored eight goals at home from open play, and their opening goal against Burnley on Tuesday night also came from a set piece as James Tarkowski rose at the far post to meet Garner's free-kick.

Everton's previous two Premier League victories - heading into the Burnley match - involved goals scored from corners, with Jarrad Branthwaite's opener in the 3-2 win at Newcastle coming from another Garner corner.

Earlier last month during Everton's 2-1 win at Fulham, Bernd Leno's own goal under pressure from Jake O'Brien was a result of a devilish inswinging corner from Dewsbury-Hall.

Following the 1-0 home defeat by Man Utd, Moyes said that referees must get a grip of the "dark arts" of the game after match official Darren England was tasked with overseeing an avalanche of corner-kick routines which the Everton manager described as being akin to "wrestling".

Dewsbury-Hall finishes fine team move to double Everton lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Scot said: "Truthfully, it wasn't the plan for our corner kicks to end up like that. I don't think there's any problem in trying to get something but it wasn't really what we wanted at all and it was very difficult to get the message on.

"But there's a bigger issue with it. It has been allowed to let go, whether it be blocking of goalkeepers or blocking of defenders, and you get the feeling now that referees really don't want to get involved in any of it.

"It is nearly wrestling to an extent, which it shouldn't be. It should never have gone to this situation but I think it's been really poor that they've not tried to deal with it well enough and stop it.

"You are now allowed lots of blocking, for example. In my day, if you blocked someone it would have been a free-kick. But blocking has become a big part of it. Let's be fair, the best at it – but with style – would be Arsenal.

"[They have a] good delivery, good style but ultimately, there's a lot of dark arts in it, such as blocking the goalkeeper from the back or the front, blocking defenders and making it difficult for them to be your key headers of the ball.

"It is a big thing in football, but I do think the level of refereeing has let that part of the game drop. And managers, if we see somebody else doing it and not getting punished for it, then we are all on it."

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