Sean Dyche waxes lyrical about Burnley's display in FA Cup win at Fulham!

Sean Dyche marveled at the completeness of his side's performance in victory over Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Burnley's English striker Jay Rodriguez takes a penalty kick to score their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Fulham and Burnley at Craven Cottage in west London on January 24, 2021.Burnley's English striker Jay Rodriguez takes a penalty kick to score their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Fulham and Burnley at Craven Cottage in west London on January 24, 2021.
Burnley's English striker Jay Rodriguez takes a penalty kick to score their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Fulham and Burnley at Craven Cottage in west London on January 24, 2021.

The Burnley boss, who made nine changes for the fixture, waxed lyrical about his group's display at Craven Cottage following the 3-0 win.

Jay Rodriguez scored in either half to take the game away from the hosts before Kevin Long secured safe passage to the fifth round of the competition.

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"It was a collective," said Dyche. "The attitude towards the game and the performance was excellent. The energy from the side was as good as I've seen on a very tricky pitch.

Matej Vydra of Burnley is fouled by Michael Hector of Fulham, leading to a penalty to Burnley during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Fulham and Burnley at London Stadium on January 24, 2021 in London, England.Matej Vydra of Burnley is fouled by Michael Hector of Fulham, leading to a penalty to Burnley during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Fulham and Burnley at London Stadium on January 24, 2021 in London, England.
Matej Vydra of Burnley is fouled by Michael Hector of Fulham, leading to a penalty to Burnley during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Fulham and Burnley at London Stadium on January 24, 2021 in London, England.

"Since the group has started coming back together it's continued to grow and they were some very good individual performances.

"There was Jay Rodriguez, Matej Vydra was very active, our two midfield players were excellent, Tarky, who had a big game for us at Anfield, was outstanding again.

"There were a lot of good signs today and the collective mentality was top drawer. I couldn't put a mark on any individual because I thought everyone was excellent.

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"I could virtually name every player. I thought we had control of a lot of the game, but Bailey has made some fantastic saves as well. The collective in front of him was excellent.

Jack Cork of Burnley is challenged by Josh Onomah of Fulham during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Fulham and Burnley at London Stadium on January 24, 2021 in London, England.Jack Cork of Burnley is challenged by Josh Onomah of Fulham during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Fulham and Burnley at London Stadium on January 24, 2021 in London, England.
Jack Cork of Burnley is challenged by Josh Onomah of Fulham during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Fulham and Burnley at London Stadium on January 24, 2021 in London, England.

"The visitors, who left it late to see off MK Dons in the previous round, registered a ninth clean sheet of the season across the board.

And they scored three goals in a game for the first time in 11 months when they had eased past AFC Bournemouth at Turf Moor in the Premier League.

It was also the first time Dyche's side had notched up that many goals on the road since overcoming Watford at Vicarage Road in November 2019.

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Dyche said: "I've always said that when we're fully fit we're not a million miles away. I like the group, I like the quality level, I like their endeavour, the belief and the spirit that they've got. We're getting there, but there's still more sharpness to come.

"The group is getting stronger again, we are coming back together and there have been some very good performances. I thought it would happen, but you need evidence, and they've made a statement with that performance today.

"Jack Cork has been out a long time and he was outstanding. Dale Stephens had a great work ethic and he's starting to learn about what we are and how we go about it. There were so many pleasing aspects.

"They've put down reminders that you need as a manager. I think the performance levels were very good against a decent outfit.

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"I thought the fitness and the sharpness was excellent. All you can ask from players that haven't played in so long is for them to deliver. They keep knocking on the door with their performance levels."

Having scored just 13 goals in 23 games in all competitions this term, Burnley's strikeforce had come into question.

Ashley Barnes silenced those critics when netting the winner in a historic win over champions Liverpool at Anfield midweek.

And Rodriguez further muted pessimists when scoring his first goals of the campaign against Scott Parker's men.

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"I don't worry about the criticism, it's a part of the job," Dyche said. "The strikers are aware of that. I've said all along that I believe in them and I thought the two today were very good.

"I thought their work rate, endeavour, their hold up play and their cleverness was on show. When you've got four active strikers like we have then that's pleasing for a manager and a group of players.

"I was happy with the way in which we affected the game and the different ways we created chances. It's hard to over-question too many things because there was a great feel about the game.

"I thought the delivery of the performance was right across the board. We showed a lot of positive signs today, both with the ball and without the ball."