KOMPANY APPLAUDS IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY AGAINST BLADES

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Clarets chief hails second half performance in victory over United

2023-04-11T10:58:00.000Z

KOMPANY APPLAUDS IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY AGAINST BLADES

Clarets chief hails second half performance in victory over United

2023-04-11T10:58:00.000Z

KOMPANY EXCITED TO PREPARE TEAM FOR NEW SEASON - Image 3

Boss Vincent Kompany was 'delighted' with his side's second half performance on Monday night as the Clarets beat promotion-chasing Sheffield United 2-0 at Turf Moor in front of another sell-out crowd.

With the game goalless at the break and the visitors down to 10 men following Wes Foderingham's red card, Kompany introduced the attacking duo of Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Manuel Benson in search of the opening goal.

Gudmundsson struck twice in 10 minutes to put the hosts two goals to the good and Kompany admits he was disappointed with the first 45 against the Yorkshire side but the second half made up for it.

Speaking post-match, Kompany said: "If I said I was happy with the first half tonight, I would be lying. It wasn't a good first half at all but the second half we went back to our standards.

"I thought we have been better than that and it's no criticism to out effort or work rate, more just the concentration and focus.

"It was a bit of a cagey first half and I'm not saying Sheffield were better than us, but it just had a cagey feel to it and we weren't at our best.

"But at half-time we made the changes and I thought we managed the second half really well. Against 10 men it can be difficult at times, but we managed it well.

"I thought we played really good and had plenty of attacking threat going forward and I'm delighted we got the job done and got the three points."

KOMPANY APPLAUDS IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY AGAINST BLADES - Image 1

Kompany made three changes from the side that beat Middlesbrough last Friday and clinched promotion to the Premier League, with Lyle Foster handed his first league start for the Club since joining in January.

Skipper Jack Cork also returned to the XI in midfield and Taylor Harwood-Bellis slotted back into defence after missing the Boro win.

Kompany explained that the squad will have to be utilised over the busy last month of the season and everyone deserves to play a part heading into the final six fixtures of the campaign.

The Clarets boss explained: "We rely on the whole squad like we have done all season. Tonight it's Joey (Gudmundsson) that comes off the bench and makes the difference. We have had a lot of goals from substitutes this season.

"Joey is a dangerous player and we know what's capable of and tonight he has delivered for us on this occasion with two nice goals.

"We will make sure we use all the squad over the last six games and everyone deserves to. Bastien and Taylor both came on today and it will change over the last few matches as everyone has played a part this season."

If Burnley are to win on Saturday at Reading and Sheffield United lose to Cardiff City at Bramall Lane in the lunchtime kick off, the Sky Bet Championship title will be in the hands of the Clarets.

But Kompany insists his side most look beyond and 'set the bar' as high as possible as the 2022/23 season draws towards a close.

"We have to look beyond now, beyond this weekend. We have to set the bar and raise it as high as we can.

"The lads need to keep at it and keep pushing and see where it can take us. The hard work doesn't stop, it continues every day." Said Kompany.