BURNLEY are going through an ‘evolution’ this season, according to midfielder Steven Defour.

The Clarets have shown a different side to their game in the first six Premier League fixtures of the campaign as they seek to play through midfield more and be better in possession.

Defour has played a key role in that transformation as enjoys a renaissance to his Clarets career, while summer signing Jack Cork has also helped Burnley be better with the ball.

It’s an evolution Sean Dyche has wanted although the Turf chief believes his side can still improve in possession.

Defour often struggled in a 4-4-2 last season, but the Clarets have played three in midfield in five of their six top flight games this season. And when asked if there was a change of style this term, the Belgium midfielder said: “I think so. We now have several players who can play with the ball and we worked hard in pre-season, even sometimes playing 4-4-2, it’s going to be more direct, but if we can play we will play.

“We’re taking another step forward. You can see it in away games, it’s not only in possession we’re moving forward but also out of possession.

“We can defend really good, we’ve had some good results away. We play when we can but we’re playing teams with quality who are individually better than us, so sometimes you got to stay in position and defend.”

So far this season the Clarets have shown they can get results playing different ways this season. They overcame the challenge of Crystal Palace playing 4-4-2, out-passed 10-man Chelsea on the opening day and have shown resilience in earning points at Wembley and Anfield.

“That is an evolution we’re going through. I think last year we learned a lot, it gave us a lot of confidence,” Defour said of that adaption.

“We were relieved we got that away game win last year in the end, so I think that started the evolution for this year, so this season, you can see it on the pitch, we’re playing with a lot of confidence and it shows with the points on the board.”

Burnley will look to continue their fine start to the season on Sunday when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton.

The Clarets have suffered just one defeat in six league games and are unbeaten on the road.

Defour insists those results mean Burnley will head to Merseyside in confident mood to take on a Toffees side who haven’t yet hit top gear under Ronald Koeman, despite a £150million spending spree in the summer.

“I’m looking forward to it with a lot of confidence, we played against top teams away and got good results,” Defour said.

“I think Everton right now are not in a good place, for the moment, if we can keep them in doubt, especially at the start of the first half, maybe we can get something.

“We showed in the previous games we can do it, so we’ll see.”