DYCHE FEARS GROWING GAP

SEAN DYCHE claims deals such as Alexis Sanchez’s move to Manchester United will increase the gulf between the elite and the rest of the Premier League.

Burnley threatened to upset the established order when they climbed to fourth last month. They have now slipped to eighth and Dyche says they cannot compete with the big clubs’ spending power. “There is a massive gulf and it will continue to get bigger if the money keeps piling into the top six or so clubs,” said the Clarets boss (right).

“Whatever business you’re in, if you keep adding to the top quality of whatever industry you’re in, there will be a gap that opens up. That’s just the reality. “Our job is to keep moving this club forward and I think we are. We have moved forward from last year and definitely from three or four years ago.” Defeat to United stretched Burnley’s winless run to eight in all competitions, but Dyche refuses to be downbeat: “We’ve been on the wrong side of margins,” he said.

“We’ve had a penalty not given at Huddersfield, a soft decision on a last-minute freekick at Man United and Liverpool nicked it here in the last minute.

“We haven’t been hanging on, we’ve taken it to our opponents. I’m proud of that.”