Everton's bizarre new kick-off routine against Burnley goes viral

Everton's kick-off routine against Burnley has sent social media into overdrive.

The Premier League returns to our screens with midweek action, with Everton vs. Burnley among the fixtures scheduled.

The Toffees resume their league campaign after securing a big 3-2 victory over Newcastle United, while the Clarets will be looking to return to the win column following their thrilling 4-3 defeat to Brentford.

David Moyes' team kicked off proceedings at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a routine straight out of the training ground.

From kick-off, James Garner rolled the ball to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who flicked the ball into the air before smashing it skywards.

No Everton player contested the aerial ball as Joe Worrall headed it away, with Jake O'Brien picking up the loose ball before playing it back to his captain, James Tarkowski.

Needless to say, Everton's kick-off routine got people online talking as plenty of fans weren't impressed, claiming it sums up the state of England's top flight this season.

One X user wrote: "The f**k is premier league football nowadays," while another said: "2025/26 the anti-football season."

A third added: "Everton think they are at Twickenham. What a sh*te kick-off."

Another commented: "This is literally a rugby kick-off. Game's gone."

Everton later scored from a Garner set-piece as he picked out Tarkowski, who headed home in the 32nd minute.

Everton's kick-off routine against Burnley somewhat symbolises the Premier League this season given the huge emphasis on set-pieces.

Arsenal's prowess from set-pieces has been integral to their title charge, with their 16 goals from corners equalising the most in a Premier League season.

Three of Liverpool's goals in their 5-2 win over West Ham United came from corners, with Arne Slot saying his 'football heart doesn't like' the emphasis on set-pieces.

"You have to accept it," the Liverpool boss said. "I think it's mainly here in the Premier League. If I watch other leagues I don't think there's so much emphasis on set-pieces.

"If I watch an Eredivisie game, which I still do, I see goals being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given and I think 'wow, that's a big difference'. Here, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee still says 'just go on'.

"Do I like it? My football heart doesn't like it. If you ask me about football, I think about the Barcelona team from 10, 15 years ago. Every Sunday evening you were hoping they would play.

"Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch but it's always interesting because it's so competitive.

"That is what makes this league great because there is so much competitiveness. Everyone can win against everyone."