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The Clarets deployed a 4-3-3 formation for the game. Paul Weller was discarded from last Saturday’s four man midfield, to accommodate Gareth Taylor fresh from his wonderful week with Wales. Fellow international striker Dimi Papadopoulos had to make do with a place on the bench.
Many Burnley fans were still making their way to their seats when after 30 seconds, Brian Deane made clear his intentions by striking a swerving volley just wide of Marlon’s left post. Were we going to be in for a long afternoon? Minutes later a miscued cross from Frank Sinclair had Beresford back-peddling to tip the ball away for a corner. After a quarter of an hour, the hosts were beginning to get a grip on the game and Marlon had to produce a good save to deny Paul Dickov a goal in a one-on-one situation.
Although Leicester were having the better of the play, the chances they created were not causing the Clarets too many problems. On 23 minutes, James Scowcroft tried his luck from distance, but Marlon was able to make a comfortable stop. Shortly after the half hour mark Sinclair’s cross was flicked wide by an unmarked Dickov.
Burnley finally signalled attacking intent on 32 minutes, when after good approach play, West cleverly squared the ball to an unmarked Robbie Blake who blazed over from 10 yards. The first half gradually petered out, and was only memorable for Gerry Taggart blatantly elbowing Ian Moore in the face which, according to referee Keith Hill, is only punishable with a yellow card.
If the first half had seen little of Burnley going forward, that was about to change, as Robbie Blake took the game by the scruff of its neck and produced his best game so far in a claret and blue shirt. Just two minutes after the interval, Blake ran at the heart of the Leicester defence and it took a tremendous last ditch tackle from Matty Elliott to halt his progress.
At the other end a Stefan Oakes free-kick was headed over the bar by the rangy Scowcroft. On 53 minutes hearts were in mouths as Deane turned home a rebound from a Paul Dickov shot. Fortunately, the linesman was eagle-eyed enough to spot that the effort was offside, and 2,700 Clarets breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Two minutes later, the Burnley fans were celebrating something much more worthwhile. From a Lee Briscoe corner, Steve Davis headed the ball back across goal and King Arthur helped the ball on to Ian Moore, who needed no second bidding to head Burnley in front.
Ten minutes later Marlon Beresford once again proved his worth to the cause by pulling Dean West out of the mire after a defensive miscue. Marlon was in the right place at the right time to get down well and block Paul Dickov’s point blank effort. Far from going into their shells, Burnley poured forward looking to kill the game off. Following good work from Blake, former England international Ian Walker had to be at his best to keep out a Glen Little effort.
Blake was again at the hub of things 15 minutes from time, finding Gareth Taylor who forced Walker into another fine stop. Ten minutes from time Burnley should really have doubled their advantage when Lee Briscoe’s effort was saved. Gareth Taylor could only find the post with the rebound. The last five minutes saw a rash of substitutes, as Little, Moore and Blake were replaced by Weller, Papadopoulos and Grant as Burnley looked to secure the points.
Throughout the second half, Leicester had bombarded the Burnley box with high balls to Deane and Dickov. But there was no beating the impressive partnership of Cox and Gnohere who both ran Blake close for Man of the Match awards. All in all this was an impressive performance from the Clarets and one which should send them to Portman Road on Tuesday evening brimming with confidence.