Barnes buzzing after Premier League win

The last time Ashley Barnes found the net, his goal of the season-winner set Burnley on the way to clinching promotion at home to Wigan in April.
Buzzing: Ashley BarnesBuzzing: Ashley Barnes
Buzzing: Ashley Barnes

But his first Premier League goal, the winner against Hull City on Saturday, topped that memorable moment, sealing the Clarets’ first victory of the season.

The former Brighton man was not in the 18-man matchday squad at Arsenal last week, but started against the Tigers, and headed the only goal five minutes after half-time.

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And the Bath-born striker admitted: “This was even better than Wigan, it’s the Premier League, what more can you ask for?

“I’m sure the missus will record Match of the Day!

“I have played in nearly every league possible, right from the bottom so it’s a dream come true to play in the Premier League and especially to get off the mark and it’s the first of many hopefully.

“I’m speechless. It’s been hard this season but you have to get your head down and fight for a place and I have done that. I started and thankfully it’s paid off.

“I took it hard last week but got my head down and worked hard in training to put questions in the manager’s mind.

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“Luckily he started me and I have given something back to him.

“I was just in the right area, I just threw my head at it and it paid off. Maybe our luck is changing, which is what we need.”

A first win of the season keeps Burnley in touch with their rivals at the bottom of the Premier League table, and Barnes added: “It’s a fantastic feeling, to get the first three points on the board is brilliant and that first win to get us under way. Now will be off and flying now.

“We believe and our changing room believes. A lot of people don’t believe and maybe have written us off already but we believe and that’s all that matters. We believe in our own ability.

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“A lot of people have written us off and don’t believe in us but it doesn’t matter about them. What we need to do is belief in ourselves and our ability.

“We will take it one game at a time and see where we go. But like I say, we believe. We are going out to win. What have we got to lose?

“We are the new boys in the Premier League so everyone is going to write us off but if we keep playing like that there’s every chance we can stay in this league.

“We are now going into the international break on a high and then we come back, work hard and go again.

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(Ings) “He ran his socks off. He was blowing at the end and couldn’t even move in the changing room. Everyone was.

“Defensively we were fantastic today. We have conceded a few goals of late but to keep a clean sheet for Tom is brilliant.”