Warnock says it’s a cruel game as Burnley smash and grab points

NEIL Warnock complained football was a “cruel game” after his Cardiff side suffered a fourth straight Premier League defeat to Burnley.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Sam Vokes were on target in the second half as Burnley scored with their only two shots on target.

Josh Murphy, with his first goal since making an £11m summer switch from Norwich, replied in between, but Cardiff could not make their pressure count.

“It’s a cruel game, but I cannot fault the effort,” Cardiff boss Warnock said. “I am disappointed again to only concede from the two efforts they got.

“It epitomised the whole game that (Burnley goalkeeper) Joe Hart got the man of the match award.

“Even I was clapping his save from Murphy in the second half (when the score was 1-1).”

Cardiff have taken only two points from seven games following their surprise promotion from the Championship last season.

The Bluebirds are already three points from safety, and with away trips to Tottenham and Liverpool to come in October it is not going to get any easier.

Burnley moved up five places to 12th after backing up last weekend’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth.

Gudmundsson put them ahead after 51 minutes before Vokes, making his 100th Premier League appearance, restored their lead with a stooping header.

“A week ago there were a few stories knocking around,” Dyche said, referring to Burnley’s doom-mongers.

“It changed after the Bournemouth game and it has changed again now that we’ve won away.

“This was a resolute performance because it’s difficult coming here.

“They made it so awkward we couldn’t get a foothold. But we did calm it down a bit and scored two good goals.”