Burnley boss delighted with derby day victory

Sean Dyche praised a “thorough” performance as Burnley went into Christmas top of the Championship table after a 2-1 derby win at home to Blackpool.
Delighted: Sean DycheDelighted: Sean Dyche
Delighted: Sean Dyche

Goals from Danny Ings and Scott Arfield took the Clarets back to the summit after a week in second place, following Leicester’s win at QPR earlier in the afternoon.

And Dyche said: “I thought we delivered another very good performance.

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“We were solid defensively, we had good energy and always looked a threat going forward.

Delighted: Sean DycheDelighted: Sean Dyche
Delighted: Sean Dyche

“They’re always the basic principles of a performance and I thought there was some excellent quality.

“There were two fantastic goals. The first was a really well-worked set piece, which as a staff we’re pleased about, and then a fantastic strike from Scott Arfield.

“Yet again we’re finding ways of delivering it, that’s the secret.

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“I’m really pleased with the energy of the side and also some of the quality was excellent.

“We hurt their back four in many different ways, with good balls into the front men, with good slick passing, with crosses.”

The corner routine that led to Ings’ opener had been underemployed of late, but Dyche was delighted to see it come off: “There are a few different things that we try to use but the players have a responsibility when they go out to choose and deliver, we give them that freedom. There are a couple of things that have worked well for us.

“Against Blackburn earlier in the season there were a couple of great corners that worked really well for us and it was nice to see that.”

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Blackpool’s equaliser came from a corner, although the referee had stopped it being taken after Ben Mee was shoved into the goal by Stephen Davies, and Dyche noted: “I’ve mentioned a few times we’ve had to win against more than just the opposition at times.

“I thought there were a few surprising decisions but it happens. We’re hoping to get a penalty at some point, that would be nice.

“The refs had a tough job. I’m not overly questioning it but it would be nice to find that parity because I think we’re a bit out of kilter with important decisions.”

Arfield won the game with a glorious curler, his fifth goal of the season, and Dyche hailed his impact: “He’s got real quality.

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“We’ve enjoyed working win him and I think he’s enjoyed working with us since he’s been at the club.

“He’s got a lovely manner about him, the way he wants to go about his football and his training and he’s delivering very good performances with boundless and endless energy, great desire to play for himself and the team.”

The goal came 70 seconds after the restart, to give Burnley a huge boost, but Dyche added: “We didn’t think there was a lot wrong at half-time. We’d been very dominant for the first 20 minutes of the match, they’d managed to get a foothold in it and scored from a set piece and we finished the half steady away really.

“For the second half it was just reminding them of the details and doing the basics well.

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“It was about playing our style of football, getting the ball down, using it wisely and countering quickly.

“The second half particularly was a very thorough performance.

“It started with a sublime goal which gave everybody a lift, rejuvenated that belief - although I didn’t think it was lacking - and then we shifted the ball well and could have been more comfortable in the end. Ingsy could have had another couple and there was some real good quality on show from us.

“We believe in our pressing game but we also believe in the quality of the group.”