CRYSTAL PALACE 0 BURNLEY 2

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK

All season Burnley had not won away from home and most of their points were gained at home. That changed at Selhurst Park, where they beat a Palace side who had ran out of steam after recent good form.  What a time for Burnley to achieve this feat, which surely confirms their place in the Premier League for another season.

Early in the game, Christian Benteke forced a save out of Tom Heaton after some neat and crisp passing on the left, which involved Andros Townsend and Patrick Van Aanholt. Moments later Luka Milvojevic dwelled on the ball, which was nicked off him, played out the left where Stephen Ward squared the ball to Ashley Barnes, who swept the ball home at the second attempt to give Burnley the lead.

There was an unsavoury moment during the celebration when James Tarkowski was hit on the head by a lighter thrown from the palace crowd behind the goal. Barnes had the ball in the net a second time but it was ruled out due to handball. 

With this sort of display it is a mystery how Burnley had not won away all season before this game.  They nearly scored a second when Sam Vokes flicked header was just wide of Hennessey’s goal.

Vokes then forced Hennessey to save the ball on the line from a header. Palace simply offered no threat whatsoever in the first half.  Burnley led 0-1 at the break.

Palace improved in the second half without creating any clear-cut chances.  From a corner kick Damian Delaney hit a half volley, which appeared to be heading into the right hand corner until Tom Heaton made a brilliant save as he tipped it over for a corner.

From a poor clearance by the Palace defence, George Boyd intercepted the ball put Andre Gray clear with a pass from the outside of his foot.  Gray raced into the Palace area before calmly slotting the ball past Hennessey to double Burnley’s lead.  

 Heaton saved a shot at his near post from Wilfried Zaha.  All in all Burnley thoroughly deserved to win the game due to the industry and effort.

Sam Allardyce said:” We were bad in the first half and then we gave away a silly second goal. The disappointing thing was the two goals we gave away today. I think 3 points in this week is not a bad total.  Anybody can beat anyone else at any time. I will not give the players any stick for what they have achieved recently.”

Sean Dyche said: “ I was really pleased with the players today because of their performance. I am pleased with Andre. I thought it was the right time to put him on. The two centre half just had some distance between them. Our two forwards were excellent. Overall I don’t think they had many chances.”