PREMIER CLASS PLEASES DYCHE

Sean Dyche welcomed the chance to test the Clarets against Premier League opposition as his side came out on top at Turf Moor.

A well-worked goal from Jay Rodriguez was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

The two clubs don’t meet in the league until early December with Newcastle not due back in Burnley until the Clarets’ final home game of the season.

And with Covid restricting pre-season fixture and travel options for the clubs, Dyche was delighted to welcome the Tynesiders to Turf Moor.

“Fair play to Steve and Newcastle,” said the Burnley boss.

“A lot of the sides know each other now. The analysis on each team is so deep but it’s still one thing that doesn’t normally happen – apart from in tournaments abroad – where teams from the Premier League play each other.

“But Brucey wanted the game, we wanted the game and he was happy to do that.

“Both sides had mixtures, them slightly more than us due to their deeper squad.

“But I think everyone went about it in the right way. It was a competitive game. I think there was a reality to it, which is important, and it was tight – as Premier League games can be.”

The Clarets extended their 100 per cent pre-season record with an impressive performance highlighted by Rodriguez’s goal 20 minutes from the end at the end of a lovely run and pass from Erik Pieters.

And with everyone coming through unscathed, the Clarets took another positive step towards their Premier League programme with just Saturday’s visit of Cadiz to come.

“Everyone so far is fit and well, which is important,” added Dyche, who confirmed that striker Chris Wood will be back at the training ground on Thursday following his Olympic efforts with New Zealand.

“Popey is on the way back – and there is Kevin Long and Dale Stephens missing – but generally people are fit and well.

“We are juggling the game time. We want to make sure we can get to a point where everyone has had enough football and, equally, everybody is fit and well.

“The mentality has been really good and that’s important going forwards.

“I asked today about the squad mentality because we made a few changes and I thought it was clear to see.

“Everyone’s on board and everyone is working very hard. Everyone knows what we want to do and how we want to achieve it and the way we play and I think there was a good sign of that today.

“I thought we delivered a good performance. A lot of our play was productive, so we were pleased with that, and we had a really good shape defensively, which is always important to us.”