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Driving through Colne, just past one o'clock in the afternoon, we began our weekly score line predictions. My dad, in the driver's seat, seemed confident of a 4-0 win. I was somewhat less certain, believing that Crystal Palace could attest to be our banana skin. However, I was soon to be proved wrong.
Sat in seat number 86 of the James Hargreaves Lower, I retrieved my notepad and pen from my bag to keep track of any game changing incidents, just as Crystal Palace took the kick off. Burnley got off to the perfect start and with just 3 minutes on the clock Jay Rodriguez produced a thunder-bolt from 25 yards out, taking advantage of the inexperienced Lewis Price - making his first appearance in goal this season for Crystal Palace.
After taking the lead so early, I found myself relaxed, and enjoying the fluent football being played by Burnley. All the early chances were in our favour, and Ross Wallace even found the space to attempt an adventurous over-head shot. Unfortunately, he didn't find the target. Our domination in the first twenty minutes showed the standard of which we are capable of. Clever footwork and trickery as well as class demonstrated by the likes of Jack Cork and Ross Wallace, provided an entertaining spectacle. Various chances were created, but not testing Price enough. The possession and pressure came to no end product. The last fifteen minutes saw Burnley take the foot off the gas and allow Crystal Palace to retain more possession and control over the game, but showed no real threat and didn't truly test Lee Grant.
Going down the gangway at half-time, I felt we were unlucky not to be winning by the odd 2 or 3 goals but also very comfortable knowing that we were in control and by far the better side. After applauding Gary Parkinson's wife and daughter as they walked out of the centre circle, off the pitch and in front of the Longside, the teams were back onto the field.
Anticipating more of the same of the first half display, I relaxed once again into my seat. This time, it was Crystal Palace first out of the starting blocks and Burnley were on the back foot it seemed. The difference showed between the teams though, by the quality on the ball. Palace couldn't find a way into the 6 yard box, which is a credit to our back four. Burnley's attacking football resurfaced, eventually, down the left hand side and it was Danny Fox firing dangerous balls into the box, but again to no avail. Crystal Palace created few chances, but those that they had came from set pieces. After Andy D'urso awarded a free kick for Michael Duff's feeble challenge, a few yards from the penalty area, Darren Ambrose blasted a shot destined for the top corner but for a fine one handed stop by Lee Grant. The remainder of the half was forgettable; neither team could truly gain control. Palace resorted to pumping high and long balls into the box, only to be met by Clarke Carlisle and Michael Duff who specialise in dealing with this kind of tactic.
The final whistle was met with joy, certainly by me, at another 3 points on the board and a position in 7th spot. The game proved to be one of two halves; we showed our talent and excellence in the first, and had to dig deep and defend in the second. Those attributes shown today are ones that we are producing every game and need to carrying on doing so to enter into the top 6 places in the Championship.
Eddie Howe has brought resilience and consistency to a side which couldn't put back to back wins together in this league - Burnley's season has been brought to life. We are in with a great shout of the play-offs and possible contention for an automatic spot. This is a great time to be a supporter of Burnley FC; I believe the best is yet to come.