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A glance at the current league table shows that an impressive forty points have already been accumulated during the first half of the Championship campaign, and at a rate of two per game, with 38 coming from the last 19 games, following a stuttering start. And so everyone of a Claret persuasion was keen to see if Burnley could for once maintain their early form into the second half of a campaign, something that had not really been achieved since the 1990/2000 promotion season.
Today's game was also significant as Bristol City were the only team that we had not yet faced in the league, although this year's team have showed tremendous belief already and go into games fearing no-one.
The squad had travelled in advance, which was fortunate for them considering the litany of traffic problems on the M6 and the M5. This made what should have been a relatively straightforward journey from East Lancashire to Avon somewhat more tricky, and certainly much more time-consuming than should have been the case. However, the ground was reached with time to spare and there was a reasonably healthy away following, later announced as 730, in one side of the Micra Wedlock Stand behind one of the goals.
Owen Coyle was forced to make just one change to his starting eleven. A knock to Wade Elliott's foot, earlier in the week, meant that he wasn't even risked in the match-day squad of sixteen. Therefore, Michael Duff came back into the team, meaning that Burnley lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Jensen in goal, and a back four of Carlisle and Caldwell in the centre flanked by Jordan and Duff. Alexander played the holding role just in front of the back four with a midfield quartet of McCann and Gudjonsson in the middle of the park, and Blake and Eagles in the wider positions. Martin Paterson played the role of the lone striker, but with the hope that Eagles and Blake would push on and support him. Bristol City had a couple of players missing, particularly in defensive positions and so former Burnley loanee Bradley Orr was recalled to their team. He had previously been frozen out after refusing to sign a new contract, but the hatchet was temporarily buried for today.
The first half was no real indication of what was to come later in the game, with very little action to speak of during the first forty minutes. The opening exchanges were more reminiscent of a game of chess than a game of football, with both teams perhaps being rather too respectful of each other. The chances that did come along were relatively long range speculative shots from both teams, none of which amounted to very much at all.
However, the game began to come to life in the final five minutes of the first period. There were in fact more chances in the final five minutes of the half than there had been in the previous forty. A couple of minutes before the break, Robbie Blake managed a rare shot on target from about 25 yards, and this was quickly followed by an attack from the hosts, which Stern John could only head wide. The best move of the half was right at the very end when Robbie Blake played through Chris McCann who took the ball forward, and then fed Martin Paterson, but he was only able to shoot wide.
Referee Russell Booth, who was not having to officiate a particularly difficult or controversial game, then made a rare decision, blowing his whistle to end the half. Throughout the game he did seem to be almost totally reluctant to make any decisions, something that would become even more apparent in the second period. Apparently, it was his first game in the middle this season, and perhaps that showed.
The second half began in the same vein as the final five minutes of the first half, with both teams seemingly finding extra impetus and showing much more ambition in the final third. Just six minutes into the second half Stern John was challenged by Clarke Carlisle and fell to the floor in the penalty area. In all honesty, it did look like a penalty, but once again it appeared that referee Booth was not going to give the decision. However, his assistant belatedly flagged for a foul and a penalty it was. Although Brian Jensen dived the right way, Nick Maynard slotted the ball right in the left corner and City had taken the lead.
In seasons gone by, a goal deficit and a vociferous home following have not been particularly conducive to a Burnley fightback. This season's squad are, however, made of sterner stuff and took just five minutes to equalise. Even before that, Chris McCann had an excellent opportunity but was only able to toe-poke a Chris Eagles cross wide of the post.
It was once again the introduction of a substitute, this time Steven Thompson, that was to pay dividends, and provide an equaliser. Almost immediately, Thompson's ball down the wing was handled, and the resultant free-kick was floated to the far post by Chris Eagles. Clarke Carlisle cushioned header back across goal allowed Martin Paterson to head home from just three yards out, to the delight of the travelling Clarets fans at that end of the ground.
Bristol City remained on the offensive and were stunned when a shot on goal was deflected, seemingly for a clear-cut corner, only for a goal kick to be given. Then Lee Trundle, who was a half-time substitute for the visitors and was clearly keen to make an impression, turned to shoot just after the hour but thankfully the ball went a few feet wide of goal.
Following a through ball to Martin Paterson, and a challenge on Basso in the Bristol City goal, the 'keeper went down clutching his face. This was seemingly a mystery to everyone as Paterson had every right to go for the ball, and although there may have been some slight contact this was nowhere near the Brazilian's head. Thankfully the referee was not in the mood for making decisions and nothing more came of it, but play-acting by footballers does needs to be addressed by the authorities.
Then it was Burnley's turn to carve out yet another shot on goal. A good build up between Duff and Paterson found the ever lively Chris Eagles whose shot was deflected at close range. Basso in the City goal was seemingly stranded, going the wrong way, but put out a hand to make a sensational save. Shortly after that, the quick-thinking Graham Alexander fired a long range shot on target from forty yards out as Basso had come out of his area and failed to clear properly, but there wasn't quite enough power on it and the City 'keeper was able to collect.
The winner came with less than twelve minutes on the clock when yet another Burnley attack resulted in Martin Paterson making space for himself on the left. He managed to cut back inside to centre the ball for Steven Thompson who blasted home from close range and completed the fightback. This was the twelfth occasion so far this season that a Burnley substitute has come on and scored, which is an indication of the strength of the squad in attacking positions and also the desire of those players on the fringes to impress.
There was even time after that for yet another long range Alexander effort, which was deflected wide. The decision? You guessed it: a goal kick! Bristol City had one more chance to equalise and it was again Lee Trundle who turned on the edge of the box and tried to lob Jensen. The Dane was equal to it and palmed the ball over for a corner.
Burnley managed to do what they failed to do at the Liberty Stadium earlier in the season and played 'keep ball' for the three minutes of added time before the final whistle blew for a deserved victory.
The man of the match decision is never easy when the team put in a good all-round performance. Despite solid displays at the back from Clarke Carlisle and Steven Caldwell, and Graham Alexander just in front, and also Martin Paterson having another good game up front, it was the class of Chris Eagles, resplendent in his day-glo green boots, who gets the nod from me.
Let us hope for yet more Christmas cheer from Coyle's classy Clarets during the remainder of the festive season and into 2009.
