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It's An Important One - Dyche

Burnley boss delighted 'different' performance delivers big win

2020-12-29T21:58:00.324Z

It's An Important One - Dyche

Burnley boss delighted 'different' performance delivers big win

2020-12-29T21:58:00.324Z

Burnley boss delighted 'different' performance delivers big win

Sean Dyche hailed an important win as the Clarets opened up daylight above the bottom three.

Dyche’s men ground out a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United to move up to 16th place in the table – five points above the relegation places.

It wasn’t always pretty but it was certainly effective as the Clarets’ ruthlessly saw the game out to protect the lead given to them when Ben Mee headed home a Robbie Brady corner after half an hour.

And with another clean sheet chalked up, the Clarets are now unbeaten in four games at Turf Moor and with just one defeat in their last six fixtures.

“It’s an important one (victory),” said Dyche.

“We’ve had a really good run of results. We had one arguably taken away from us on Sunday (at Leeds) and I think we delivered a different kind of performance.

“I don’t we were as good as we were on Sunday, particularly in the second half, but our defensive shape and the ability to work hard without the ball has seen us through a tough game.

“That being said, we created two golden chances early in the game. It’s not easy to score goals, but if you do put those away, the game could have panned out differently.

“We didn’t take them but then we scored from a set-piece. It was a great ball in and a great finish.

“We believe in the set-piece work we do. We simplify it for the players and really put the onus on them to attack the ball. It’s a fantastic header and a great ball in.”

Mee’s first goal at Turf Moor since January, 2015 was enough to extend the Blades’ winless start to the season as Burnley showed the perfect response to their controversial 1-0 loss at Leeds.

And Dyche was full of praise for his team’s ability to safeguard a third home win of the campaign which means the Clarets have taken 10 points from their last four Turf Moor fixtures.

“The way the team works and the attitude towards the work that’s needed to see a game through I thought was outstanding because they are a good side,” added the Burnley boss.

“They are still working extremely hard and talk about a team that are fighting, they are fighting, without a doubt, so a lot of credit goes to them in the second half because they put us under pressure.

“Our two midfielders worked so hard for the team. I’ve just said in front of the players when you’ve got two people giving that much for the team it’s always a massive benefit and, defensively, we looked really strong, throughout the organisation of the team.

“I’m pleased on that side of things.”

One down side of the evening was an injury to left-back Charlie Taylor, who suffered a hamstring injury less than 10 minutes in.

Erik Pieters successfully deputised with a switch from midfield, while Josh Benson again showed his maturity by coming off the bench to slot in on the right-hand side side of midfield.

But with Jay Rodriguez missing the game with a jarred need and Dwight McNeil and Matej Vydra still sidelined Dyche – whose side is due to face Fulham at Turf Moor on Sunday – admitted: “We are stretched again. We can only hope these injuries stop coming and we can get everyone fully fit.”

Jack Cork and Johann Berg Gudmundsson continue to make good progress in their recoveries, however, and both will be involved in a game on Wednesday as they move nearer a return to first-team action.