By Dominic King for the Daily Mail
Published: 21:50 BST, 3 May 2019 | Updated: 21:50 BST, 3 May 2019
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The word Marco Silva used left no margin for error. With Everton playing their final home of the season, their head coach had stated his intention clearly: he wanted a 'perfect' night.
Silva hasn't always got what he has wanted during a testing first year on Merseyside but here was an occasion when he did: one clean sheet, two goals, three points and, above all, the promise of exciting things to come in the future.
On a rain sodden night at Goodison Park, Everton gave a glimpse of the side they could become under the Portuguese with an electric spell of passing and pressing that effectively settled a clash with Burnley before it had properly started.
Seamus Coleman celebrates after his goal, scored from close range, put Everton 2-0 in front against Burnley
Coleman is delighted after his goal, which was scored in the 20th minute, doubled his side's lead at Goodison Park
Coleman headed in to score after Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton failed to clear the danger properly
With the potential to qualify for Europe, there was never going to any sentiment in Silva’s selection and that is why Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka – both of whom are out of contract in a matter of weeks – started on the bench.
Discussions have been ongoing with the veteran defenders, who have made 795 appearances between them, and while Everton are eager for them to stay, both men want to play and it remains to be seen what they will be offered in terms of game time next season.
It would certainly help if Everton had a Europa League campaign to plan for and in recent weeks they have played in the manner of a side who would not be out of place in that competition and they cannot fail to take confidence from the sequence they have put together.
Burnley, as is their way, arrived bursting with stubbornness and aggression but this contest was taken away from them in a superb 20-minute spell. Everton always come to life when Goodison Park’s floodlights are on and their performance was full of
