CAPTAIN FANTASTIC CULLEN ON SUNDERLAND WIN

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Midfielder chats first three points at home

2025-08-23T17:53:58.114Z

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC CULLEN ON SUNDERLAND WIN

Midfielder chats first three points at home

2025-08-23T17:53:58.114Z

Midfielder wants to see Turf Moor rocking on Sunday

Josh Cullen put in a real captain's performance in Burnley's 2-0 win over Sunderland at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Goals from Cullen and Jaidon Anthony saw the Clarets secure their first three points of the Premier League campaign on home turf with both goalscorers also turning provider as they notched the assists on the day too.

Speaking after the game the 29-year-old said: "It's an amazing feeling to get three points. The first three points of the season is always really nice. First game at home in front of the fans, they were magnificent today.

“Three points so we can enjoy a Saturday night.”

After a first half showing that saw the teams go in level at 0-0, a lovely goal from Cullen put the home side ahead two minutes into the second half. How did he feel when he saw his effort hit the back of the net?

“Just overriding joy! To sort of get in around the box and then chip in with goals is something I’m going to try and do this season. Great lay off from J and I just tried to sort of bend it in the far corner and thankfully it went in.

“Great feeling to start the second half on the front foot which is what we spoke about at half-time as well, coming at 0-0 we wanted to start the second half fast, and we certainly did.”

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC CULLEN ON SUNDERLAND WIN - Image 1

The captain also played an important role in the second goal, providing the assist for goalscorer Jaidon Anthony.

“Yeah, to be fair, I think even last year, me and J had quite a nice sort of relationship. We link quite well, and we seem to be on the same wavelength at times. So, nice to set him up, nice for him to set me up, and hopefully that won't be the last time this season.”

Despite the loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend Cullen spoke after the game of the pleasing aspects from the performance and how important togetherness was going to be to the squad this season, and he saw plenty of that on show today.

“Like I said last week although we were disappointed with the result and the scoreline for sure, there were positives to take from the game. We knew straight away after the game where we needed to tidy up to make it an even better performance.

“So, we went back to the training ground this week, worked hard, improved on things we need to improve on, analysed Sunderland like we did Tottenham as well and treated them with the same respect. Came into the game confident in the game plan that we could get a result. That was always the mentality to bounce back after last week and thankfully we've done that today.”

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC CULLEN ON SUNDERLAND WIN - Image 2

And finally in a special moment pre-match Cullen walked out with his little boy, who he believes brought the luck on the day!

“Yeah, I’ve said before although we all dedicate our lives to football, families, wives and people behind the scenes, sacrifice a lot for us to do this career as well. There are more important things than football. So, to walk out with him today, his first home game will be a story that I can always tell him. And to top it off with a goal and assist was nice.

“I was saying to the lads there and I said to my wife that he’s going to have to walk out every week now, that's the problem! Hopefully, he keeps bringing us three points and wins in the cup of course!”