as posted on http://blogs.soccernet.com/burnley/
This Premier League business isn't bad is it? Two wins in a week at the Turf has transformed our reputation amongst the rest of the country from relegation certainties to well, relegation possibilities. The shift may be minimal but at least we're getting some of the respect we deserve.
Anyone who dismissed Wednesday’s win against Manchester United as a fluke will now hopefully be feeling as red faced as a merlot induced Sir Alex Ferguson. Although these naysayers will probably still be branding our wins as lucky due to excuses such as United’s failure to find their flow following the departure of the heavily relied upon Cristiano Ronaldo or the upheaval caused at Everton by Manchester City's harassment of Joleon Lescott.
The Toffees rolled up at the Turf again without Lescott, who it was rumoured was over at Eastlands having a medical. Although, even if the two clubs’ hadn't reached an agreement over his transfer I'm sure the now released Lockerbie Bomber would've been a more favourable choice at centre half for David Moyes; instead he plumped for the less popular Phil Neville to play alongside Joseph Yobo.
The unchanged Clarets got off to a storming start with Martin Paterson hitting the bar within forty seconds before Tim Howard kept out Fletcher's follow up. The chances kept on coming, Wade Elliot tested Howard, there was another glorious chance for Paterson who failed to glance a header home from six yards out, while Fletcher snatched at a volley. The football was fluent as we kept pressurising Everton's backline, enjoying unrelenting success down the flanks.
The volume inside Turf Moor was once again intensely deafening as we roared the Clarets on to take more Premier League blood.
After thirty four minutes the breakthrough came as Everton's failure to deal with another cross from the left hand side led to Steven Fletcher laying the ball back to Wade Elliot who guided the ball into the corner of the Everton net from the edge of the box. Goal! Another Burnley screamer, another of the league’s top side on the ropes.
At half time all the talk in the concourse was of how we were the better side and deserved to be more than one goal ahead. An Everton onslaught was expected in the second forty-five but in truth it never really came.
There was of course the dubious penalty won by Britain's new diving hope for London 2012 Tony Hibbert. Louis Saha stepped up for the resulting spot kick and well and truly fluffed his lines; it was like watching Michael Carrick on crack.
Despite the likes of Pienaar and Osman looking bright in possession they were more than matched by our full backs. The impressive Jack Rodwell was by far Everton's best player; it's just a shame for them that he played the holding role in midfield. The frustration was there to see as the likes of Cahill and Fellaini gave away needless free-kicks is they struggled to make an impact.
Burnley's work ethic combined with their willingness to get the ball down on the floor once again paid dividends as we out-battled and out-played Everton. Andre Bikey already looks the signing of the season as his strength, composure and leadership qualities helped ensure a second clean sheet in a week for Owen Coyle's men. There were of course some nervy moments towards the end but we held out to take another vital three points in our quest for survival.
The final whistle saw our elevation to seventh in the Premier League. We may only be three games in but what an achievement by everyone in Claret and Blue so far. And what makes the past week even sweeter? Blackburn Rovers sitting down at the bottom of the league without a single point.
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