Roy keane singles out everton player for praise after burnley win

The scowl rarely leaves Roy Keane’s face during a post-match breakdown, but James Tarkowski’s masterclass in Everton’s 2-0 win over Burnley forced a change in the pundit’s tune. In a performance that epitomized defensive grit, the Toffees’ captain didn’t just marshal the backline to a clean sheet—he opened the scoring with a thunderous header against his former club.

​Keane, who often bemoans the lack of “old-school” characters in the modern game, singled out Tarkowski for his uncompromising approach at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. For Keane, the center-back’s display was a blueprint for leadership.

​”We talk about flair and ‘modern’ defenders, but Tarkowski is a proper player,” Keane noted. “He wants to defend, he wants to put his body on the line, and he takes responsibility. To go up the other end and score a goal like that just shows his intent. He was the best player on the pitch by a mile.”

​Tarkowski’s dominance in the air and tactical discipline ensured Burnley barely had a sniff, helping Everton secure their first home win of the 2026 calendar year. As the club moves into 8th place, Keane’s rare endorsement highlights Tarkowski as the vital “spine” David Moyes has spent months building.