Eagles ready for huge game

Eagles was in outstanding form as he helped inspire a 3-1 win at former club Watford on Saturday - the first of four successive away games.

A first-ever trip to the Cardiff City Stadium is next up tonight - Burnley’s game in hand, as they look to move within striking distance of the top six.

The Clarets sit six points behind Leeds United, who have played a game more, and Eagles looked ahead to a pivotal game against another side in the hunt.

Speaking after taking his tally to 11 goals for the season at Vicarage Road, he said: “Cardiff’s a huge game and it’s going to be tough.

“But it (the run of away games) has started here and we’ve done a job here.

“I remember when Watford came to Turf Moor it was a very hard game.

“It’s just good to get the win.

“We just take it game by game and we’re concentrating on Cardiff now.”

And he looked back on an impressive Burnley display: “The first half was hard - it was a tough game.

“Coming here’s always hard but the pitch didn’t help.

“In the second half we pressed well and I think the second goal gave us a boost and that’s why we went on the attack.”

Eagles’ goal, a lovely take after a one-two with Chris Iwelumo, put Burnley back in front, after Dale Bennett’s bizarre own goal was cancelled out by Danny Graham.

And feels the stroke of luck for the opener was what Burnley were due: “I’ve never seen anything like that.

“Every goal counts, but when it went in like that I did feel sorry for them.

“It was very unlucky, but it’s one of those things.

“But you need luck.

“QPR are a great team but they’ve had a lot of luck as well, and that’s what you need.”

Eagles was delighted with his goal (pictured, right) - and his assist for Iweluo to join him on 11 goals.

And he revealed the pair now have something of a wager: “I was really pleased.

“I played a one-two with Chris and it was just a reaction. I put it in the corner.

“I took it early and that’s what caught keeper off guard.

“I think if I’d taken another touch he’d have read that because I think it was quite close to him.

“But I’m a bit annoyed I set Chris up because we’ve got a bet going on now!

“We’ve had a little joke.

“If it was 1-1 and I’d set him up that’s great, but when it was 2-1 and I set him up ...

“I didn’t know who’d scored because there were so many people in front of me.

“Then I saw it was him, and when I went over he said ‘Yes! It’s 11 all’.”

It was Iwelumo’s first goal away from Turf Moor this season, and Eagles added: “Yes. He needed it. He was saying he needed it.

“He’s a handful for centre backs like he was here.

“He gets in amongst them.

“In these conditions it’s quite difficult because the pitch cut up.

“He did brilliantly and he deserved a goal. He set me up so I set him up.”