‘Point was fair for both sides’ – Burnley boss Dyche

Sean Dyche felt a draw was a fair result at the King Power Stadium, after Danny Ings cancelled out David Nugent’s early penalty for Leicester City.
Happy boss: Sean Dyche believed a draw was the appropriate result against promotion rivals Leicester City on SaturdayHappy boss: Sean Dyche believed a draw was the appropriate result against promotion rivals Leicester City on Saturday
Happy boss: Sean Dyche believed a draw was the appropriate result against promotion rivals Leicester City on Saturday

Former Burnley loan striker Nugent netted from the spot after Jamie Vardy went to ground easily under pressure from Jason Shackell and Ben Mee.

But the Clarets fought back to level 85 seconds after the interval as Ings reacted smartly to turn in Kieran Trippier’s centre.

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Sam Vokes had the chance to put Burnley ahead shortly after, with Leicester grateful to a fine save from Kasper Schmeichel.

But Dyche admitted: “I’m pleased with a point.

“In fairness to Leicester they had a very good start, delivered one or two real good chances and they’ll be aggrieved they didn’t put them away.

“I thought we defended resolutely, but we weren’t really at our best with the ball.

“The first goal was us giving it away in a poor situation, which is not like us.

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“It was a softish penalty but it happens, so I’ve no problem with it.

“Overall I think a point was appropriate for both sides.

“Both had chances to nick it, but I think over the whole game I think a point was probably appropriate.”

For all Leicester City’s first half pressure, Tom Heaton in goal was relatively unemployed, as Dyche noted: “I always chat with the goalkeeper coach after the game about what Tom’s had to do.

“He made a good hand right at the end. They had a couple of good chances but didn’t really put him under major pressure and I’m pleased with the framework of the side to keep that resilience and that belief in what they do and to keep him as quiet as possible.

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“It’s really difficult to win football matches, never more so when you’re coming away to clubs like this because they’ve got some very good players, Nigel (Pearson)’s got his team working in the right manner, that’s why they’re up there.”

He added: “I thought Leicester found a good mixture and it was effective, certainly for the first 25 minutes of the game.

“For our group it was slightly naive to expect to come here and teams not get about you.

“The energy they showed in the first 25 minutes, and the quality, put us right on the back foot.

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“I was really pleased with the reaction to that as the half closed.

“I had a chat with the players at half-time about different tactical bits and bobs and then we got a fantastic start with a very good goal and I thought we built on that in the second half.

“We kept the ball well, looked far more comfortable and productive and quiet ended the crowd, they were almost getting nervy.

“Then it was only the last seven or eight minutes when they had a bit of a rally I felt, so I was pleased overall.”

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Asked whether he felt Burnley could stay in the chase for promotion, Dyche said: “Who knows? We’ll see. It’s a tough division. The challenges are right in front of you every week and it’s another big one at Leicester.

“We’re enjoying what we’re doing, we’re working hard every week and we go into each game in a positive manner and ready to deliver.

“This was another example of that.

“There was a positive feel about the group, good energy and good organisation and good quality.

“If you get that mixture right you’ve got a quality of being successful so that’s what we’re looking to try to do on a weekly basis, and just deliver that and play hard against whoever we’re playing against.”