The Clarets ran riot in the first 23 minutes at a fog-bound Turf Moor to secure a 3-0 win over Derby County.

Kevin McDonald's first goal for the Clarets and a brace from Martin Paterson - his third and fourth goals of a highly productive week - were enough to inflict defeat on Paul Jewell's Rams.

The Clarets started the brighter and Paterson, recalled to the starting line up following his two goal haul at Barnsley on Monday night, hooked a shot wide after four minutes after Robbie Blake's drive fell to him in the box.

Two minutes later and the Clarets were ahead thanks to a sweet half volley from McDonald, who fired past Derby County keeper Roy Carroll after Steve Caldwell headed it into his path from a corner that was only half cleared by the visitors.

Chris Eagles went close with a fancy flick on 10 minutes as the Clarets continued to press for a quick-fire second against the shell-shocked Rams,

And the Clarets added a well deserved second on 14 minutes when Paterson finished off a superb move which started from a Michael Duff throw-in and involved McDonald, Eagles and Blake.

Derby had a half chance on 20 minutes, but Luke Varney dragged his shot wide of Brian Jensen's goal.

And Paterson incredibly added his second - and Burnley's third - after 22 minutes when he slid in to meet Eagles' superb cross into the six yard box.

Carroll had to be alert to stop Blake's free kick on 24 minutes as the Clarets threatened to run riot against Paul Jewell's side.

As the fog descended on Turf Moor, the Clarets continued to push forward and almost got a fourth when the Darren Powell's deflection looped over Carroll's bar.

Eagles went close with the new orange ball just after the break, but his shot hit the side netting after he raced onto a superb through ball from the impressive McDonald.

The visitors probed only in short spells and Miles Addison hit the outside of the post with a drive from 20 yards on the hour mark.

Carroll pulled off a superb save from Blake's free kick on 63 minutes and then managed to gather the ball at the second attempt.

Addison had his side's best chance on 70 minutes but he looped his effort onto the top of Jensen's net.

The visitors found chances few and far between as the Clarets continued to dictate proceedings and Rams left back Jordan Stewart's fired a shot over on 82 minutes as another rare chance went begging.

Substitute Steve Thompson almost put the icing on the cake with a stunningly executed volley on 88 minutes, but his dipping effort flew just wide of Carroll's post.

And that was to prove the last action of a game that boss Owen Coyle will have been delighted with, ahead of a night to remember on Tuesday.

Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Caldwell, Carlisle, Jordan, Alexander, Eagles (Thompson 81), McDonald, McCann, Blake (Mahon 75), Paterson (Gudjonsson 86).
Subs: Penny, Akinbiyi.

Booked: Carlisle (foul, 69)

Derby County: Carroll, Connolly, Green, Stewart, Kazzmierczak, Varney, Tomkins, Commons (Ellington 46), Addison, Powell, Hulse.
Subs: Bywater, Villa, Nyatanga, Barazite.

Booked: Green (foul, 61), Varney (75, unspoting behaviour), Hulse (75, dissent)

Attendance: 11,552