Burnley 3-2 C PalaceHome team scorersSam Vokes 2
Johann Berg Gudmundsson 14
Ashley Barnes 90 +3:20
Away team scorersConnor Wickham 60
Christian Benteke 81 Pen
The last time Burnley were in the Premier League it took them 10 games to record their first win. This time they have won four of their opening 11 games, moving to a comfortable mid-table berth in the process.
Crystal Palace were just the latest visitors to discover that Burnley are not only a tougher but somewhat classier proposition this time round. They will probably not be the last. While Sean Dyche’s side still have a resolute defence and an excellent goalkeeper, to that basic survival kit they have added creativity in midfield and an eye for goal, yet they still needed the most dramatic of stoppage-time winners after allowing Palace back into the game from two goals down.
Palace were looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat yet made life extremely hard for themselves by conceding after 80 seconds. With the visitors caught with too many men in forward positions as Burnley cleared an early corner, Jeff Hendrick was initially prevented from releasing Johann Berg Gudmundsson into space on the left but Steven Defour arrived in time to continue the move via Matthew Lowton. Gudmonsson’s eventual cross from the left was met by Lowton in the middle, and though Scott Dann managed to block the shot, the ball ran loose for Sam Vokes to tap home.
Palace must have been wondering what had hit them, though in fact Burnley have been noticeably sharper this season. Their wins against Liverpool and Everton at Turf Moor came by virtue of accepting the few chances that came their way in games their visitors were dominating, and as Palace pushed forward in search of an equaliser they found themselves going further behind in the 14th minute.
Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha had managed to bring the now expected saves from Tom Heaton in the Burnley goal, before a neat piece of work in the centre circle by Vokes sent Gudmundsson racing clear on the Palace goal. The winger shot early and true and Steve Mandanda did well to get down to it, but when Gudmundsson hits a ball with his left foot it stays hit. The goalkeeper could not hold the shot and could only watch as the ball looped up in the air behind him, coming down under the crossbar to spin over the line.
With Defour showing some cultured touches in midfield, Burnley were good value for their lead, too. Palace seemed to be aware that leaving too much space behind their line for the Belgian to exploit might be dangerous. The visitors had a couple of chances to get back into the game before the interval without putting too much conviction into their attempts. Andros Townsend wafted over the bar from the edge of the area with a good opportunity that should have at least brought a shot on target, then Christian Benteke failed to stretch Heaton from a decent position, closing the first half by shooting straight at the keeper.
Burnley had two or three chances to make the game safe at the start of the second half, all of which fell to Vokes, who was unable to find a finish. None of them were exactly easy, though home supporters were left wishing their side had been able to press their advantage when Palace pulled a goal back on the hour.
Connor Wickham had only just come on to replace Puncheon when Zaha found him with a low cross from the right. Managing to stay onside by a fraction, the substitute produced a crisp finish to score with his first touch.
Suddenly Zaha was everywhere, switching wings and causing Burnley problems every time he got the ball, though it was a determined run down the left from the otherwise quiet Townsend that led to Palace’s equaliser with nine minutes to go.
This time it was Burnley who were guilty of sending too many men up for a corner. Palace exploited the space with a quick breakaway, and Lowton was still attempting to get back into position when he stuck out a hand to divert Townsend’s cross. Benteke sent Heaton the wrong way from the penalty spot and it appeared Burnley would have to settle for a point, yet Dyche and Ashley Barnes had other ideas.
The manager sent his final substitute on for the last five minutes, and in added time he broke through the middle with the impressive Gudmundsson keeping pace on his right. Barnes found the winger then moved up to accept his perfect cross with an equally unimprovable finish.
Almost unbelievably, there was still time for Townsend to hit a post at the other end, but Burnley held on. Palace will now spend an uncomfortable international break waiting to see if they can turn their fortunes around against Manchester City.
Guardian
