'A Season's Work': Part Three

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The final instalment of a look back on a unique year which again saw the Clarets rise to the challenge and keep their place among the elite

2021-06-04T08:52:37.207Z

'A Season's Work': Part Three

The final instalment of a look back on a unique year which again saw the Clarets rise to the challenge and keep their place among the elite

2021-06-04T08:52:37.207Z

The final instalment of a look back on a unique year which again saw the Clarets rise to the challenge and keep their place among the elite

The Clarets reached the final international break of the season in March – extended in Burnley’s case by Leicester’s involvement in the FA Cup – sitting 15th in the Premier League table and seven points clear of the relegation places.

It looked an ideal time for a breather following a heavy workload of 17 games since the turn of the year – and on-going injury concerns.

But the chance to re-group and refresh didn’t prove to be a blessing as results – if not form – suddenly deserted Sean Dyche’s men on their return to action.

That looked unlikely when the Clarets led 2-0 at an out-of-sorts Southampton on their return to action thanks to the potent double act of Chris Wood and Matej Vydra.

But an unfamiliar collapse – sparked by Burnley old boy Danny Ings – prompted the first of three successive defeats.

Again, a lead was lost against a Newcastle side also fighting for their lives before two late goals for Manchester United – after Reds’ fan James Tarkowski had headed Burnley level with his first goal of the season – saw the Clarets lose at Old Trafford for the first time in five trips.

But with the pressure just starting to mount, Dyche’s side – with the metronomic Jack Cork back in harness at a timely moment – did what they have so often done before by pulling out a magnificent result and performance at Wolves to go nine points clear again of the bottom three.

And once more they left shattered records in their wake as the Clarets racked up their biggest away win of the Premier League era and Wood scored his first hat-trick for the club and first by a New Zealander in the top tier of English football.

The on-fire striker grabbed only the second treble of Burnley’s time in the Premier League and became the first player in the top-flight this century to bag three goals before the break as he moved into double figures for a fourth successive season.

A lovely late strike from Ashley Westwood – who again underlined his value to the team by going on to complete an ever-present Premier League record – capped a perfect day as Burnley won in the top division at Wolves for the first time since 1973.

And even though another home defeat was to follow to a terrific West Ham team, safety was within touching distance.

It came down to a balmy night beside the Thames as the Clarets looked to turn a nine-point advantage over Fulham into an unbridgeable gap with three further games to go.

And, frankly, the outcome was never in doubt as Burnley stamped their authority all over Craven Cottage to send the Londoners straight back down to the Championship and extend their own Premier League life into a magnificent sixth successive season.

A 2-0 win was a fitting way to mark Dyche’s 350th league game in charge and Mee’s 350th game for the club.

Double player-of-the-year Wood also reached a landmark with his 50th goal for the Clarets as he made it eight goals in eight games and a round dozen in all to get Burnley over the line after the tireless Westwood had given Burnley the lead with his second goal in three games.

A sixth away win had completed a job that started eight long months ago with numerous trials, tribulations and tests along the way.

With so much effort expended, there was to be no big finish as the Clarets – missing the luckless Nick Pope with an injury that would cruelly rule the keeper out of the finals of Euro 2020 – signed off with three successive defeats.

But the return of fans for an uplifting evening against Liverpool at Turf Moor gave a welcome hint of better times to come.

And after a well-earned summer’s rest, Dyche, his staff and players – who once again gave everything for the cause – will be back for another crack at the Premier League.