Record-buy Wood overtook Ashley Barnes to win the ‘golden boot’ to cap a successful first season in a Burnley shirt.

And even though Joshua King’s second-half equaliser and Callum Wilson’s 93^rd-minute strike denied the Clarets the perfect parting gift before their foray into Europe, there was no taking the gloss off a memorable season which ends with Burnley seventh in the Premier League.

The Clarets haven’t had it this good since 1974 and as the supporters applauded Dyche, his staff and players in a lap of honour at the end they know the next time they watch their team it will be in the Europa League at the end of July.

The return of Wood in place of the injured Barnes was the only change Dyche made to his starting line-up as the Clarets looked to go out on a high.

That meant – as expected – no playing farewell for departing midfield men Dean Marney and Scott Arfield as they reached the end of their magnificent Turf Moor tours of duty.

By contrast, Young Player of the Year Dwight McNeil took another step towards launching his senior career with a late debut from the bench as the past, present and future aligned on a day of celebration.

Bournemouth’s incentive was to try and capture only a second away win in 13 games in the hope of securing a top-half finish and the extra revenue that’s awarded per place in the final league table.

Having never won at Turf Moor in 14 previous attempts, history was not on their side.

But Eddie Howe’s side started ans finished well on the manager's return to his former club and went close to taking a 21^stminute led.

Jordon Ibe created a chance for Lys Mousset with a ball pulled back for the Frenchman but he was unable to beat Nick Pope, who made an excellent save low down to his right.

The Clarets’ Player of the Year has barely put a glove wrong this season and stood firm again to beat away an effort from Charlie Daniels when Bournemouth broke down the opposite flank five minutes later.

But Burnley finished the opening half on top and were rewarded with the opening goal six minutes before the break.

There was an element of luck when it came but the Clarets had earned their good fortune from a number of moves typical of the one that saw Jeff Hendrick thread a pass through for Stephen Ward to pick out Ashley Westwood in the penalty area.

Westwood’s attempt on goal was mis-cued but the ball hit Wood and bounced past Asmir Begovic to give the striker, who had also scored at the Vitality Stadium last November to set up the possibility of Burnley’s first double over Bournemouth since 2000, his 10^th Premier League goal of the campaign.

The Cherries threatened to hit back straight after the break but James Tarkowski blocked an effort to prevent former Blackburn striker King marking his 100^th Premier League appearance with a goal.

And the Clarets then produced a sparkling spell of football in the spring sunshine which saw them work the ball effortlessly around the pitch and almost produce a second goal for the impressive Hendrick, who shot at Begovic from Wood’s pass.

A 2-0 lead would seemingly wrapped up an eighth home win of the campaign but with 16 minutes to go the Clarets were pegged back when King did get his landmark goal.

Howe had sent on Jermain Defoe following an injury to defender Tyrone Mings and the England international almost added to his collection of goals against Burnley with an effort he steered towards the bottom corner which Pope kept out with another excellent reflex stop.

But with the Clarets failing to complete the job and gifting possession straight back to King, the Norway international picked his spot and curled home an equaliser.

Burnley’s defence has been the bed-rock of their record Premier League season but having let slip the chance of a 13^th clean sheet of the campaign, another mistake in stoppage time then gifted Bournemouth their winner.

Kevin Long lost his footing to give the ball to Defoe and the veteran striker showed a typically cool head to set up fellow substitute Wilson to slot home the goal which earned his side a fourth away win of the season.

It was not the way Burnley would have wanted to finish but after a 38-game marathon a stumble could be permitted by a team that has taken the club to new heights and whet the appetite for what’s to come. Let the European Tour commence.

Burnley: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Long, Ward, Lennon (McNeil 90), Cork, Westwood, Gudmundsson (Wells 79), Hendrick, Wood (Vokes 61). Substitutes: Heaton, Taylor, Nkoudou, Bardsley.

Booked:

Bournemouth: Begovic, Cook, Ake, Mings (Defoe 66), Fraser, Hyndman (Gosling 59), Surman, Daniels, King, Ibe, Mousset (Wilson 59). Substitutes: Boruc, Pugh, Smith, Taylor.

Booked:

Referee: Paul Tierney

Attendance: 20,720

POS	Team	PL	PTS
18	WH	13	11
19	BUR	14	10
20	WOL	14	2

POS	Team	PL	PTS
18	WH	13	11
19	BUR	14	10
20	WOL	14	2

Burnley 1 Bournemouth 2

Premier League table

Related news

Bournemouth Game A Sell-Out

Related news

Bournemouth Game A Sell-Out

Premier League table