Wood ended an eight-game wait for a goal as Burnley signed off 2018 with a priceless 2-0 win over West Ham.

Last season’s leading scorer could have a hat-trick as the in-form Hammers had no answer to the resurgent Clarets.

But he did get the all-important opener with a clever finish to make it five in four games against West Ham before Dwight McNeil doubled the lead with his first senior goal.

“It’s nice to have a good record against them, but even better to get those three points and much-needed ones,” said Wood, whose last goal had come at the London Stadium in November.

“It was nice to get off to a bright start, especially with the amount of pressure we piled on.

“I think we deserved it and it was nice to compound it with another goal from Dwight. It was a great first half and we took it through from there.

“It’s nice to have opportunities. As a striker you’re always worried when you don’t get opportunities so I’m happy to have got them.

“It means we’re doing something right as a team and we can build on that going into the next game.”

The Clarets go to bottom club Huddersfield Town on Wednesday with fresh impetus behind them.

A 5-1 Boxing Day defeat to Everton had cast doubts over Burnley’s ability to beat the drop on the back of nine defeats in 11 games.

But the manner of the win over West Ham – which means only goal difference is keeping Sean Dyche’s men in the bottom three – gives real cause for optimism heading into the New Year as Burnley got back to their best.

“It was a fantastic performance,” added Wood, whose partnership with Ashley Barnes was back on key.

“It was a great bounce-back from us and shows a bit of character. We need to knuckle down and get these results and that’s what we’re going to do.

“That’s the importance, to build on it. It is a start and we want to put together a run of good results.

“There are a lot of games to go. We have enough time to get ourselves out of it. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and resilience to get through it. We’ve just got to settle down and fight together.”

POS	Team	PL	PTS
10	MC	2	3
11	BUR	3	3
12	BRE	3	3

POS	Team	PL	PTS
10	MC	2	3
11	BUR	3	3
12	BRE	3	3

Wood Re-Lights The Fire

Premier League table

Related news

Related news

FAN BANNED FOR LIFE

CLARETS STORE FESTIVE OPENING HOURS

MATCH PREVIEW: MILLWALL V BURNLEY

Premier League table