Left-back Charlie Taylor thinks an improvement in defence has been key to Burnley’s revival as they prepare to face Everton on Friday night.

The Clarets endured a tough opening to their campaign, with Europa League duties seemingly setting them back and they were in the relegation zone for many weeks, losing 14 of their first 19 games of the season.

However, a 2-0 victory over West Ham United on December 30 seems to have been the catalyst for an upturn in fortune and, with two games to go, Sean Dyche’s men sit in 15th spot in the standings, with 40 points to their name.

Premier League survival has been achieved and the Lancashire outfit will now hope to push up the table and gain some momentum for what they hope will be a better showing next term.

Burnley have kept four clean sheets since their 5-1 Boxing Day thrashing by the Toffees and Taylor feels an improved rearguard has been vital.

“I don’t know what the stats say – we’ve not seen them, but since then we’ve been good, and we’ve kept more clean sheets in the second half of the season than we did the first,” he said.

“We’ve not leaked as many goals. Our form is up there with the best since Christmas. We do pride ourselves on defending from the back and being solid. The first half of the season and Everton was a shock.”

Marco Silva’s Everton sit ninth with 50 points and cam be backed at 1.60 to win the game at Goodison Park, with Burley on offer at 6.00 and the draw 4.00.