Burnley beat Saints to boost survival bid

BeSoccer 3 years ago 3.2k
Burnley defender Connor Roberts celebrates his goal against Southampton. AFP

Burnley improved their chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League as Connor Roberts' superb strike inspired a vital 2-0 win against Southampton on Thursday.

The Clarets won for the first time since Sean Dyche's sacking thanks to Roberts' sublime curler and Nathan Collins' header.

Roberts' first goal for Burnley following his August move from Swansea came early in the first half at Turf Moor and proved the key moment.

It was just their fifth league victory this term, in interim manager Mike Jackson's second game since Dyche's surprise sacking last week after 10 years in charge.

Third bottom Burnley remain in the relegation zone but they are now just one point behind fourth bottom Everton, who have a game in hand.

Burnley host Wolves on Sunday and, with Everton facing quadruple chasing Liverpool the same day, Jackson's team are in with a chance of climbing out of the bottom three this weekend.

Just hours before kick-off, Dyche had spoken for the first time since his sacking, speaking warmly about the "truly incredible times" he enjoyed with Burnley.

There was a feeling in some quarters that Burnley stagnated in the final year of Dyche's reign, but only avoiding relegation will back the club's decision to sack him.

This was a small step in the right direction for Burnley and their chairman Alan Pace.

For the first time since 2012, Burnley were playing a home game without Dyche and they started nervously.

Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters smashed a deflected strike that flashed just wide for a corner.

From James Ward-Prowse's resulting set-piece, Oriol Romeu headed inches past the post.

 

Mentioned in the news story

Premier League
Southampton
Connor Roberts
Nathan Collins