Barkley Was Very Focused - Ronald Koeman

Everton manager Ronald Koeman praised Ross Barkley's reaction after he put a testing week behind him to help Everton beat Burnley 3-1 on Saturday. The midfielder was punched in a nightclub last weekend and was then at the centre of a controversial story that led to Everton banning The Sun newspaper.

He was influential on the pitch against Burnley and it was his shot that deflected in off Michael Keane and Ben Mee to put the Toffees 2-1 ahead in the 71st minute. Barkley twice cleared headers off the line as Everton were made to work hard for a club-record eighth straight Premier League home win.

He said “We know all that stuff off the pitch is not the best, but he dealt with it really well and showed today he was focused. He showed his qualities in the second half. What happened last week had a big impact on him. But he was focused on the football side. I also myself did some stupid things when I was 19, 20, 21. As long as you learn.