FRIENDLY REPORT: BURNLEY 1-0 NEWCASTLE UTD

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Rodriguez goal decides Turf Moor workout as Clarets step up preparations

2021-08-03T14:48:30.455Z

FRIENDLY REPORT: BURNLEY 1-0 NEWCASTLE UTD

Rodriguez goal decides Turf Moor workout as Clarets step up preparations

2021-08-03T14:48:30.455Z

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Jay Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game as the Clarets continued their pre-season build-up with a confidence-building win over Premier League rivals Newcastle at Turf Moor.

After facing EFL opposition so far, Sean Dyche’s men ramped up their preparations with a behind-closed-door workout against the Tynesiders.

And it was a competitive and occasionally feisty affair as neither side held anything back with the start of the league campaign less than a fortnight away.

The Clarets gave starts to five players who hadn’t begun last Saturday’s victory at Tranmere Rovers as they again shared the workload.

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And Newcastle also used their squad depth with a number of second-half changes.

But that didn’t ease the tempo with the Clarets’ pressure finally paying off 20 minutes from the end as Rodriguez coolly slotted home his fourth goal of pre-season from Erik Pieters’ nicely crafted assist.

There were also chances for Newcastle but the nearest they came to scoring was a first-half header from Joelinton - who just got there ahead of ex-Claret Jeff Hendrick - which hit a post.

And Dyche’s men were worthy winners as they extended their 100 per cent pre-season run with one game to go against Cadiz in front of the fans at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The Clarets started with Matej Vydra as Rodriguez’s attacking partner and the Czech Republic international – back in the fold for the past week following his international commitments – went close after just two minutes with a low drive which skidded past the target.

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Dwight McNeil then forced a save from Freddie Woodman with a stinging drive before Johann Berg Gudmundsson glanced a header wide from one of a succession of dangerous crosses Burnley delivered before the break.

At the other end Hendrick nodded against the woodwork, while Wayne Hennessey had to save from Joelinton and Matt Ritchie.

But following a number of changes the Clarets continued to press after the break with Jack Cork picking out Gudmundsson for a chance beyond the far post which was blocked.

McNeil then tested United’s substitute keeper Mark Gillespie with another well-struck effort which was touched over by the former Motherwell and Carlisle man.

The visitors created openings for substitutes Sean Longstaff and Dwight Gayle which they couldn’t take.

And the deadlock was finally broken when Rodriguez grabbed the winner.

Josh Brownhill and Pieters turned defence into attack and when Pieters threaded a lovely pass through to Rodriguez, the striker picked out the bottom corner to continue his summer spree.

Brownhill almost added a second with a free-kick palmed over by Gillespie but with a third clean sheet in four public outings safely secured at the other end, one goal was enough to keep the Clarets in the groove.

Burnley: Hennessey (Norris HT); Bardsley, Collins, Mee (Tarkowski HT), Pieters; Gudmundsson (Trialist 60), Westwood (Brownhill HT), Cork, McNeil (Taylor 60); Vydra (Barnes 60), Rodriguez (Richardson 80).