Burnley boss Sean Dyche bedazzled by the mentality of his group, but Europe is still a 'big ask'

The Clarets won for a third time in four games - all of which have been garnished with a clean sheet - when Jay Rodriguez's finish decided the game against West Ham United at the London Stadium.

It was a fourth away win for Burnley from their last six games on the road as Dyche maintained his unbeaten record against David Moyes.

After climbing to ninth in the top flight, just three points behind sixth place Wolves, the Turf Moor chief said: "I think it's a big ask, the group is already stretched to the limit, I think we're still at it, the mentality is great, but beyond this we've still got tough games coming up so we'll have to see how we go.

"I'm not going to say they've surprised me, but it's fair to say we are as stretched as we've ever been since I've been here.

"There have been some noises from outside the group about various issues, some about myself, contracts and players leaving, but we park all that to the side, that's one of the ways that we work.

"I think the players deliver what they do very well and they all buy into what we are about. I always feel that strong, fit and organised is a good base to work from and on top of that we've got some very good players."

Nick Pope enhanced his glowing reputation even further with a 14th shut-out of the campaign to once again take the lead in the race for the Golden Glove.

The England international goalkeeper made an outstanding point blank save to keep out Tomas Soucek's acrobatics in the first half and he stuck out a boot to divert substitute Sebastien Haller's attempt wide in the second.

But he wasn't the only one to impress the boss on another memorable night for the Clarets.

"It's really pleasing for Jay Rodriguez," said Dyche. "But you've got to get it right at both ends and I thought Nick Pope was outstanding.

"He's a top keeper, we know that, and he continues to mature and improve, as do many of the players.

"I think Tarky was outstanding tonight in his leadership role and Josh Brownhill is doing really well since starting his Premier League career.

"Kevin Long has come in again and done really well, Erik Pieters is playing out of position and was excellent, Dwight continues to learn about the Premier League, Vyds is active, Bardo was released two weeks ago, resigned, and now we're playing like this.

"I could go through the whole team. The mentality of the group continues to improve."