Revival is a delight for Dyche
Normality felt nearby at turf moor — a peculiar phenomenon, given the week this country has endured. locals sipping a tinny on Harry Potts Way in pre-match drizzle. lads up ladders screwing in new Covid turnstile signage in preparation for their eventual return to use. Burnley resembling a team who will stay in this division.
it was a night for faith and optimism — the first time they have scored twice at home since February. a first goal for ashley Barnes in 13 months. one point behind arsenal with a game in hand. Four matches unbeaten. one defeat in seven.
Despite a late rally, Wolves rather summed up their campaign of inconsistency; capable of beating Chelsea and then folding here a few days later.
But Burnley pride themselves on cutting down teams such as this and their display epitomised the reign of Sean Dyche and his cha chairman mike Garlick. those two don’t particularly get on these days but that should not matter in the coming weeks.
alan Pace and alK Capital want to finalise a takeover sooner rather than later. the P Premier league have seen some d documentation already and t there is a determination to c complete the deal.
Garlick, who is likely to stay on in a non- executive role, sat in t the directors’ box. But Burnley can soon move on to a new chapter and do so in relative comfort if they keep this up.
they were outstanding either s side of Josh Benson’s clumsy ta tackle on Fabio Silva, seconds af after coming on with only three m minutes left. the Portuguese sm smashed in the penalty — his first go goal for Wolves — but Burnley gr ground this victory out.
‘a‘ ‘a fantastic Burnley night. rain po pouring, wind swirling,’ laughed
Dyche. ‘We’re in a healthy position. our squad has been stretched for a long time. We’re getting there.’
a two-goal cushion did not flatter Burnley before the late penalty drama. Wolves threatened briefly but were becoming increasingly incensed by referee lee mason.
‘the referee did not have the quality for a Premier league game. this is a problem we know — we had lee mason before,’ said Nuno Espirito Santo.
‘i just don’t want to see him anymore — that’s what i told him. i hope he doesn’t whistle a game of ours again. He cannot control the players, the players are constantly arguing — both teams. With all the other referees, there’s dialogue. He’s just not ready to do it.’
Dyche believed Joao moutinho deserved sending off for an alleged stamp on Josh Brownhill late in the piece. ‘Sometimes the referees can make it easier for themselves,’ he said. ‘But it’s a hard job.’
Wolves lacked concentration 10 minutes before half-time as they complained about mason. Chris Wood had appeared to overcook a pass for the galloping Charlie taylor on the left but the defender made the most of it to cross from the byline. Wolves froze, Barnes did not — getting between romain Saiss and rayan ait-Nouri to bundle a header over the line.
He has waited 17 league matches for a goal and the header was decisive — but Barnes would not have got the chance had it not been for the quality delivery. only extraordinary circumstances will stop Pace gaining control and the prospective owners are ready to back Dyche in January by adding a depth to his squad that Burnley lack.
Nuno was still chuntering at mason when Wolves emerged after the break, although it was his own defenders who deserved criticism.
Goalkeeper rui Patricio struggled to communicate and then ruben Neves’ miskick gave Brownhill the chance to thunder an effort against the bar.
Wolves fell 2-0 behind on 51 minutes when Ben mee was given a free run at ashley Westwood’s lofted free-kick, ait-Nouri failed to mop up and Wood finished inside the six-yard box.
the introduction of adama traore gave Wolves a little more bite but this was all about Burnley’s revival.