Cork: It's Been Emotional

Jack Cork admitted the emotions and exertions of the week caught up with the Clarets as their winless home run went on.

A 4-0 defeat to Leeds United made it nine games in a row at Turf Moor without a top-flight victory.

But around that, the Clarets have amassed enough points to secure their Premier League safety.

And Cork felt Monday night’s win at Fulham – which guaranteed survival – and the battle to get that far from a position bottom of the table in November had taken its toll against the free-wheeling Yorkshiremen.

“It feels like it’s been long seasons for two years now and we put a lot into Monday – a lot emotionally – trying to finish the job for us,” said the Clarets’ midfielder.

“There was no lack of effort or trying today from us, but it’s been a little bit of an emotional week.

“Putting everything into Monday against Fulham and then coming today and trying to reproduce that same effort is difficult.

“Leeds are a team who do a lot of running, which is a thing we do as well. I think today they had that bit more energy than we had, especially towards the end of the second half.”

Leading 1-0 at the break, Leeds survived an attempted fightback from the Clarets early in the second half when Matej Vydra was denied an equaliser by Illan Meslier’s save.

Having gone 2-0 down, the Clarets created another decent chance for Johann Berg Gudmundsson which Meslier again kept out.

But two goals in three minutes on the break from substitute Rodrigo then killed off the Clarets as they reached a top-flight record for home games without a win.

“The first goal was a nice goal from them. I think that’s what they wanted us to do – come out of position and exploit that on the counter-attack,” added Cork.

“The second got a deflection so was a bit unlucky and at that stage we’d had a couple of chances and we could have tightened the gap.

“If we had taken those it maybe gives us a bit of lift and changes the outcome of the game.

“After that it was a tough afternoon and we played into their hands a little bit by having to chase the game.”

The Clarets – who remain 15th in the table – face deposed champions Liverpool at Turf Moor on Wednesday night with the chance to sign off with a win in their final home fixture.

And Cork hopes the return of fans – albeit at limited levels at this stage – can help turn the tide.

“A lot of teams seem to be doing similar things to us, great away from home and not great at home,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone can put a finger on it, except for the fact that the fans are missing.

“That seems to be the main thing and it will be a lot different atmosphere when the fans are in the stadium.”