The Clarets got back to winning ways on Saturday to leave West Ham languishing in the relegation zone.
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 | Danny Fox - impressed on his debut |
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David Nugent back again on loan from crisis club Portsmouth scoring on his 'debut' and also Danny Fox scoring too making it a debut to remember to end Burnley's run without a win in 12.
Before the game I had a good feeling about this one, the week before saw a very positive performance against Chelsea where we could have easily got a point and I knew that level of performance again against the Hammers could see us out of the relegation zone.
It all started brilliantly for the Clarets with some very quick and incisive passing. We took the lead on 14 minutes when a long ball from the impressive Fox caught out England centre half Matthew Upson, David Nugent anticipated the flight of the ball and outpaced him to lob the ball over an outstretched Green to give the Clarets a much deserved lead and send the Turf into raptures.
I thought this would be the start and the floodgates would open. This wasn't the case and West Ham started to get more of a grip on the game and started creating chances themselves. One coming as their main chance of the first half was a big one where the forever booed Benni McCarthy should have brought the scores level but somehow Leon Cort got back on the line to clear the ball when it looked certain the former Blackburn striker would score. It was brilliant defending from the former Stoke defender.
Half time finally arrived with Burnley deserving the lead really but West Ham not looking a side who are struggling at the wrong end of the table.
Off I went for my half time pint and the main discussing point was the return of David Nugent, many not thinking he would do the business for us but on this evidence not one Burnley fan is knocking Nuge and more goals from him will go down nicely. He really is enjoying himself here. Benni McCarthy got a mention but mainly was about the clearance by Leon Cort on the line. It was terrific defending and we are really looking a lot more solid with him and Clarke Carlisle at the heart of the defence.
Anyhow, onto the 2nd half, and Burnley didn't start as quickly as the first half. This wasn't to be anything like the game back in November at West Ham but my oh my how it was to be action packed is an understatement.
Burnley got going again and Mears ran at the Hammers defence. Collison shoved the former Derby man in the back just as he was about to break into the penalty area giving away a free kick just outside the area. Up stepped new left back Fox who I thought would just float the ball in. How wrong I was as he unleashed a stunning curling free kick into the top right hand corner of the net leaving goalkeeper Rob Green absolutely no chance.
The Turf went crazy and there I was Tom Harking again! I thought ok we need to keep it tight at the back but to be honest we looked to sit back on it and subsequently invited pressure on us from the visitors something we haven't been used to at home under you know who. But we are looking a hell of a lot more solid at the back. We rode our luck as Mido, on for the former Blackburn striker McCarthy, lashed a shot just wide. Then Junior Stanislav hit the bar from near enough an identical situation as our second goal.
West Ham must have thought it wasn't to be their day, especially when the same player crossed in the ball and Mido's effort came off Jensen's upright. We were defending very deep now and that final whistle seemed to be a long way off.
West Ham did have a goal chalked off as two players were offside but they didn't get a goal back until the 80th minute where Carlton Cole lifted the ball towards the 6 yard box and Mido reached it just before Brian Jensen.
There was Ilan to slam the ball home and leave the Clarets with a very nervy ending indeed and some could be forgiven as we thought we would chuck it away. But one thing about this Burnley side is they don't give up and we dealt with the balls into the box defending well.
The final whistle brought mass relief amongst the home fans and brought back that familiar feeling that we had before October last year but more performances like this and we will be ok. David Nugent says we need 4 home wins, well he set us on our way to our first and up next at home are struggling Portsmouth. But before that we go to Fulham in midweek then a week on Sunday we are at Aston Villa.
The players now seem to be responding to Brian Laws, he's brought in his own players now and Danny Fox I was really impressed by.
Walking out of the Turf and the relief was there for all to see on the fans faces. It really was a good day as results went for us, only the Hull v Man City one wasn't brilliant for us.
The day was overshadowed by events at the Britannia stadium as our rivals Blackburn Rovers were the visitors at Stoke. I got home and listened to the radio and the commentator came on saying there had been an incident which happened at half time in the away end of the ground.
Now I couldn't imagine what was going to be announced as the news broke on Sunday that Blackburn fan John Taylor lost his life as a dustbin which was being thrown about hit him on the head. This is terrible news and really puts rivalry aside, as I feel so saddened by this and all my thought and prayers go out to his family, friends and everyone concerned at Blackburn Rovers Football Club.
Finally for Burnley, February has started with a home win lets hope now the month can end with a win and start picking up points away from 'Fortress Turf Moor'.
I really am so proud to be a Claret! |
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