Westwood Goal Is Fitting Tribute

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Midfielder dedicates special finish to family members

2021-04-26T09:46:39.114Z

Westwood Goal Is Fitting Tribute

Midfielder dedicates special finish to family members

2021-04-26T09:46:39.114Z

Midfielder dedicates special finish to family members

Ashley Westwood capped an emotional day in the most fitting way possible as he scored a stunning goal in memory of two close relatives.

Westwood has sadly lost both of his grandads this year – Sid, the father of his mum, and Roy, the father of his dad.

The Clarets’ midfielder missed a day’s training in the build-up to Sunday’s brilliant 4-0 win at Wolves to attend the funeral of Roy – Westwood’s middle name which he has also passed down to his own son – who died a day after Westwood’s 31st birthday at the start of the month.

But he put the upset to one side for 90 magical minutes at Molinuex where he followed up Chris Wood’s hat-trick with a wonderful strike of his own, which Westwood dedicated to two important family members.

“They both lived a great life, but it’s still been a tough time for the family,” said Westwood.

“They got to see me play in the Premier League and live out my dream and they would have enjoyed that yesterday.

“It was the perfect way for me to pay my little tribute and, most importantly, for us to win as a team, which would have meant a lot to them.”

Westwood’s emergence as a Premier League player came at Aston Villa, but the former Crewe Alexandra youngster has since found a real home at Turf Moor since arriving in January, 2017.

He has barely missed a game in the last three seasons and – alongside Jack Cork, Josh Brownhill and Dwight McNeil – gave another midfield masterclass at Molineux.

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Sean Dyche’s men turned in one of their best performances of the season to record their biggest away win in the Premier League and match their biggest win anywhere in the Premier League era.

Wood became only the second Claret to score a hat-trick in the Premier League and after he had given Burnley a 3-0 half-time lead, Westwood added the gloss with a cracking late strike for his own special moment.

“Woodsy set me in the first half and I dragged it and I think it went out for a throw-in!” Westwood admitted.

“He’s done brilliant and set me again and as soon as it came off my boot, I knew it was in and it was a lovely strike and it’s a great feeling.”

The victory over Wolves ended a three-game losing streak for the Clarets and also lifted them up to 14th place in the table – nine points clear of the relegation places.

Top-flight safety isn’t yet guaranteed. But with five games to go, Burnley are within touching distance of what Westwood believes would be a notable achievement at the end of a testing 12 months.

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“It was getting close and you are looking over your shoulder,” he told Clarets+

“We came here and we knew we needed a big performance.

“When we do need one, we usually pull it out. When it matters, we usually turn up and we showed that

“It’s been frustrating – the last three games. It’s not like us to let leads slip but yesterday showed what we were all about and I thought we were excellent.

"It was a magnificent performance, a great team performance, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. To get the four goals topped off a dream day.

“For us to stay up this season will be a massive achievement. I think we’ve had about 13 fit players the whole season.

“It’s remarkable what we’ve done. The team spirit, what the gaffer does with the lads, and if we do manage to get it over the line it will be almost as good as finishing seventh, I think.”